Reference: John, The Gospel According to
Fausets
Well called "the Gospel of the incarnate God," "the Gospel of witness," that of the Father, that of Scripture, that of miracles, that of Jesus Himself. Written at Ephesus at the request of the Asiatic bishops to set forth more profoundly Christ's Divinity (Jerome, Prolegomena in Matthew). Ephesus, after Jerusalem's fall, A.D. 70, took a chief place in oriental Christendom. Containing a large Christian church, a synagogue of zealous Jews, and the most famous of pagan temples that of Artemis or Diana, it was a common meeting ground for widely diverse creeds. Philosophical speculation too had free scope in its xystus; here Cerinthus broached his doctrines, concocted at Alexandria. Its commercial position on the sea linking the East and West adapted it as an admirable center for the diffusion of gospel truth. John sets forth the positive truth which indirectly yet effectively counteracts Gnosticism, Ebionitism, and docetism. The Spirit has made his Gospel virtually supplementary to the other three. (See GOSPELS; JESUS CHRIST.)
Theirs is that of "Christ according to the flesh," his that of "Christ according to the Spirit." As he joined Christ early he records facts of His ministry in Galilee and Jerusalem, prior to those in the three synoptists. He writes with a specification of times and places, and a freshness, which mark an eye-witness (Joh 1:29,35,37-40; 2:1; 3:1; 4:40,43; 6:22; 13:1-11; 18:10-16; 19:26; 20:3-10,24-29). That the beloved disciple (called episteethios from his reclining on Jesus' breast) was the writer appears from Joh 19:25-27,35; 21:24; 1:14. Another undesigned propriety identifying him is, though naming John the Baptist 20 times he always omits "the Baptist," whereby the three synoptists distinguish him from John the evangelist.
PLACE AND TIME. His allusions in the peculiar terms of his prologue to the theosophic notions prevalent at Ephesus accord with that city being the place of his writing the Gospel. Ac 18:24 implies the connection between Alexandria, the headquarters of Gnosticism, and Ephesus. John 21 is an appendix written subsequently to Joh 20:30-31 (which at first completed the Gospel), perhaps after Peter's martyrdom. The Gospel cannot have been written at the same time and place as Revelation, the styles are so different, His mode of counting the hours as we do was Asiatic (see Townson, Harmony, 8:1, section 3), and accords with Ephesus being the place of writing. His not feeling it necessary to explain Jesus' prophecy that John should tarry until He came (John 21) shows that he wrote soon after the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70), when that event was generally understood as being the Lord's coming, namely, in judgment upon the Jews.
In Joh 5:2 the sheep market with five porches is spoken of as still standing, perhaps spared as some other things for convenience by Titus (Josephus, B. J., 7:1, section 1). Testimonies of authenticity. If Joh 21:24-25 came from some Ephesian disciples this is the oldest testimony to it. 2Pe 1:14 alludes to (Joh 21:18) Christ's prophecy of Peter's crucifixion, taking for granted his readers' acquaintance with the Gospel, the strongest kind of testimony as being undesigned. Ignatius (his Epistle to the Romans), Polycarp (his Epistle to the Philippians), the Epistle to Diognetus, Justin Martyr (Apol. 1:61, Dialogue with Trypho 63,88), contain implied quotations of it; their not expressly quoting it is due to the prevalence of oral more than written teaching at first; while the inspired preachings of apostles were fresh in memory definite appeals to writings are less to be expected than in the following age. The general references of the former and the definite quotations of the latter are just what we might expect presuming the Gospel genuine.
Papias (Eusebius H. E. iii. 39) used the first epistle of John which is close akin to the Gospel. Tatian's Diatessaron opens," In the beginning was the Word"; he quotes this Gospel in Orat. contra Gentil. Thus, its currency A.D. 170 is proved. Theophihs of Antioch (Autol. 2) first expressly attributes it to John; he wrote a commentary on the four and a harmony (Jerome Alg. 53, Vir. Illust. 25). He and Tadan therefore, in the second century, considered the four the exclusively canonical standard. Irenaeus, a hearer of Polycarp, the disciple of John, argues for the propriety of the number four; his argument proves their long and universal acceptance by the church more conclusively than if it had been his aim to demonstrate it. The Alogi of Asia Minor were the only sect that rejected this Gospel, owing to their opposition to Montanus, whose heresies they thought were favored by it. The diversity of the scene and incidents of Christ's ministry in it, as compared with the three preceding Gospels, is just what we might expect if the author were acquainted with them.
For while as an independent witness he does not with formal design supplement them, yet he generally omits under the Spirit those particulars already handled by his predecessors. Excepting the crucifixion and resurrection, respecting which he gives new information, he has only two sections in common with the Synoptists (Joh 6:1-21; 12:1). He omits Christ's baptism, temptation, mission of the twelve, transfiguration (of which he was one of the three selected eye witnesses), the Lord's supper, and the agony in Gethsemane, yet incidental hints show his taking them for granted as known already (Joh 1:14,32; 13:2; 14:30; 18:1,11), which last refers to the very words of His prayer during the agony, recorded by the synoptists, an undesigned coincidence and so a proof of authenticity; Joh 14:30 is the link between the temptation (Lu 4:13) and His agony (Lu 22:40-53); Joh 11:1 assumes the reader's acquaintance with Mary and Martha, from Lu 10:38.
So Joh 4:43-44; 7:41, tacitly refer to the facts recorded in Mt 13:54; 2:23; 18:33 takes for granted the fact recorded in Lu 23:2. John 6, wherein he repeats the miraculous feeding of 5,000 recorded by the synoptists, is introduced to preface the discourse which John alone records. In John 12 the anointing by Mary is repeated for its connection with Judas' subsequent history. The objections to John's acquaintance with the synoptical Gospels are based on the presumption that in that case he was bound to slavishly supplement them and guard against the appearance of discrepancies between him and them.
But he was an independent witness, not formally designing to supplement; yet as knowing their Gospels he would mostly use materials heretofore not handled. As they presented Jesus' outer and popular life, so it remained that he should represent the deeper truths of His divine mission and Person. They met the church's first needs; he, its later wants. Luke's Gospel was written under Paul's superintendence at least 20 years before John's. Considering the intercourse between the Christian churches it is incredible that his Gospel should have been unknown at Ephesus, John's and previously Paul's scene of labours, and this to John a "pillar" of the church.
DESIGN. John, the last surviving apostle, would surely be consulted on the canonicity of New Testament Scriptures which by God's providence he lived to see completed. Theodore of Mopsuestia, 4th century (Catena Johann. Corder. Mill New Testament) says John did attest it. Clement Alex. (Eusebius, H. E. vi. 14) states on the authority of old presbyters (and the Muratorian Fragment, Ant. M. Aev. 3, confirms the statement) that John wrote at his friends' request to give Christ's "spiritual" aspect, the former Gospels already having given His "bodily" aspect. John, who leant on Jesus' breast, His closest intimate, was the fittest to set forth the deeper spiritual truths of the Son of God. Thus the "ye" (Joh 19:35; 20:31) will refer to John's "friends" primarily, the general church secondarily. To prove "that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God" is this Gospel's declared design, that men so "believing might have life through His name."
A continued polemic reference is not likely, considering John's contemplative and usually loving spirit. An incidental guarding of the truth against incipient heresies in that region certainly there i
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and came and took up his abode in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, "He will be called a Nazarene,"
And great multitudes followed him from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judaea, and from beyond the Jordan.
But I say to you, Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you;
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the multitudes were astonished at his teaching. For he taught them as having authority, and not as their scribes.
Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers for his harvest.
All things were delivered to me by my Father; and no one knoweth the Son but the Father; nor doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it is the will of the Son to reveal him.
And having come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and the miracles?
And when it was evening, the disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and it is now late; send the multitudes away therefore, that they may go to the villages and buy themselves victuals.
And Simon Peter answering said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
shouldst not thou also have had pity on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had ended these sayings, he removed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judaea, beyond the Jordan.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
For the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always.
And at evening there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was himself also a disciple of Jesus.
teaching them to observe all things, whatever I have commanded you. And, lo! I am with you always, unto the end of the world.
But after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the glad tidings of God,
And Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake; and a great multitude from Galilee, and from Judaea followed; and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond the Jordan, and the people about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard what great things he was doing, came to him.
And when he had brought every temptation to an end, the Devil departed from him for a season.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach glad tidings to the poor; he hath sent me to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty the oppressed,
And he began to say to them, Today hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears.
All things were delivered to me by my Father; and no one knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom it is the will of the Son to reveal him.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed, that he entered into a certain village; and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed, that he entered into a certain village; and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! that killeth the prophets, and stoneth those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
And when he was at the place, he said to them, Pray that ye may not enter into temptation. And he withdrew from them about a stones throw; and kneeling down he prayed, read more. saying, Father, if thou art willing to remove this cup from meyet not my will, but thine be done! And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly. And his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground. And rising up from prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, and said to them, Why sleep ye? Rise, and pray that ye may not enter into temptation. While he was yet speaking, lo! a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, was at the head of them; and he drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss? And they who were about him, seeing what would follow, said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the highpriest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering said, Permit thus far; and touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders who had come to him, Ye have come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs; when I was daily with you in the temple, ye did not put forth your hands against me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Christ, the king.
And I send forth upon you that which hath been promised by my Father; but do ye tarry in the city, until ye are endued with power from on high.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only begotten of a father.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only begotten of a father.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only begotten of a father.
For out of his fullness have we all received, and grace upon grace.
The next day he seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!
And John bore witness, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him.
And John bore witness, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him.
On the morrow John was again standing, and two of his disciples;
The two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turning and seeing them following, saith to them, What seek ye? And they said to him, Rabbi, (that is to say, when interpreted, Teacher,) where dost thou dwell? read more. He saith to them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he dwelt; and they abode with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard what John said, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother.
And he saith to him, Truly, truly do I say to you, Ye will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
And on the third day there was a marriagefeast in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The wind bloweth where it will; and thou hearest the sound thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
He that cometh from above is above all. He that is from the earth is earthly, and speaketh earthly things; he that cometh from heaven testifieth what he hath seen and heard; and no one receiveth his testimony. read more. He that hath received his testimony hath set his seal that God is true. For he whom God sent speaketh the words of God; for he giveth not the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and he that disobeyeth the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
When therefore Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself did not baptize, but his disciples,) read more. he left Judaea, and went again to Galilee.
Do ye not say, There are yet four months, and the harvest cometh? Lo! I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.
I have sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored. Others have labored, and ye have entered into their labor.
When therefore the Samaritans came to him, they besought him to remain with them; and he remained there two days.
And after the two days he went from that place into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.
Now there is at Jerusalem, by the sheepgate, a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethzatha, having five porches.
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another who beareth witness of me; and ye know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
I have come in my Fathers name, and ye receive me not; if another come in his own name, him ye will receive.
After these things Jesus went away across the lake of Galilee, that of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he wrought on the diseased. read more. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and sat there with his disciples. And the passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.
And the passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. Jesus then lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great crowd was coming to him, saith to Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?
Jesus then lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great crowd was coming to him, saith to Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat? But this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he was going to do. read more. Philip answered him, Two hundred denaries worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that each one may take a tittle. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, saith to him, There is a lad here, who hath five barleyloaves, and two small fishes; but what are they among so many? Jesus said, Make the men lie down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men lay down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, distributed to those that were lying down; in like manner also of the fishes, as much as they desired. And when they were filled, he saith to his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain over, that nothing may be lost. So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barleyloaves, which remained over and above to those that had eaten. The men therefore seeing the sign which he wrought, said, This is truly the prophet that was to come into the world. Jesus therefore, knowing that they were about to come and take him by force to make him a king, withdrew again to the mountain alone. But when evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, and having gone on board a boat, were going over the lake to Capernaum. And darkness had overtaken them, and Jesus had not yet come to them. And as a strong wind was blowing, the waves ran high. When therefore they had rowed about twentyfive or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walking on the lake, and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But he saith to them, It is I, be not afraid. Then they were willing to receive him into the boat; and immediately the boat was at the land whither they were going. The day following, the multitude which stood on the other side of the lake having seen that there was no other boat there but one, and that Jesus did not go with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples went away alone,
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.
Having said these things, he remained in Galilee. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not openly, but as it were in secret.
Others said, Doth the Christ then come from Galilee?
He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?
Truly, truly do I say to you, He that entereth not through the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber; but he that entereth through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and his own sheep he calleth by name, and leadeth them out. When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. But a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him; because they know not the voice of strangers. This parable Jesus spoke to them; but they did not understand what the things were which he spoke to them.
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
On this account the Father loveth me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
And the feast of the dedication came at Jerusalem. It was winter;
Then came the Jews around him, and said to him, How long dost thou hold our minds in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.
And he went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John was at first baptizing; and there he abode.
But there was a certain man sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Jesus, therefore, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.
For the poor ye have always with you, but me ye have not always.
"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; lest they should see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn from their ways, and I should heal them."
Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them unto the end. And supper being served,the Devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him,
And supper being served,the Devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him, he, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and was going to God, read more. riseth from the supper, and layeth aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. So he cometh to Simon Peter; who saith to him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou wilt know hereafter. Peter saith to him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that hath bathed needeth not to wash himself, but is wholly clean; and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who was about to betray him; for this reason he said, Ye are not all clean.
My children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye will seek me; and, as I said to the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come, so now I say to you.
I shall not talk much more with you. For the prince of the world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
I shall not talk much more with you. For the prince of the world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples.
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and smote the servant of the highpriest, and cut off his right ear. And the servants name was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath. The cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Jesus therefore said to Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath. The cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? So the band and the captain, and the officers of the Jews, took Jesus and bound him, read more. and carried him to Annas first; for he was fatherinlaw of Caiaphas, who was highpriest that year. And it was Caiaphas who counseled the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter and the other disciple followed Jesus. That disciple was an acquaintance of the highpriest, and went with Jesus into the court of the palace of the highpriest. But Peter was standing outside at the door. The other disciple therefore, who was an acquaintance of the highpriest, went out and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the Magdalene. Jesus therefore, when he saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Jesus therefore, when he saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then he saith to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knoweth that he saith what is true, that ye also may believe.
And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knoweth that he saith what is true, that ye also may believe.
And again another scripture saith, "They shall look on him whom they pierced."
Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they set out for the tomb. And they ran both together; and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb. read more. And stooping down, he seeth the linen cloths lying; but he did not go in. Then cometh also Simon Peter following him, and he went into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself. Then therefore went in also the other disciple, who came first to the tomb; and he saw, and believed. For not even yet did they know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their home.
And having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I shall not believe. read more. And after eight days the disciples were again within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be to you! Then he saith to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach forth thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.
Then he saith to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach forth thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God! read more. Jesus saith to him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed. Many other signs did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these have been written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name.
But these have been written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name.
Truly, truly do I say to thee, when thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself, and walk whither thou wouldst; but when thou hast grown old, thou wilt stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldst not.
This is the disciple who testifieth of these things, and hath written these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
This is the disciple who testifieth of these things, and hath written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. (...)
And a certain Jew, named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of the whole creation; for in him were created all things, those in the heavens, and those on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things have been created through him and for him;
knowing that I must soon put off my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ declared to me.