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 went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that the word spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazoraean.
and great multitudes followed him from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
But I tell you, Love your enemies, and pray for those that persecute you;
And when Jesus had finished these words 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 thrust laborers into his harvest.
All things are given me by my Father; and no one knows the Son but the Father; and no one knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
and coming to his native country he taught them in their synagogues, so that they were astonished and said, Whence has this man this wisdom and these mighty works?
And when it was evening his disciples came to him, saying, The place is solitary, and the hour is already past; dismiss the multitudes that they may go to the villages and buy themselves food.
And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Ought you not also to pity your fellow-servant, as I pitied you?
AND when Jesus had finished these words he departed from Galilee, and came into the bounds of Judea beyond the Jordan;
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets, and stoning those sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a bird gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not!
for the poor you always have with you, but me you have not always.
And when it was evening a rich man came from Arimathea, by the name of Joseph, who himself also was a disciple of Jesus;
teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always till the consummation of the world.
And after John was delivered up Jesus came into Galilee preaching the good news of God,
And Jesus went away with his disciples to the lake; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan. And those about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing what he did, came to him.
And the devil having finished all the temptation, departed from him for a time.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim a release to the captives, and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the oppressed away free,
And he said to them, To-day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
And turning to his disciples, he said, All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
And as they were pursuing their journey he entered into a certain village. And a woman by the name of Martha received him into her house.
And as they were pursuing their journey he entered into a certain village. And a woman by the name of Martha received him into her house.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those sent to her, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a bird gathers her young under her wings, and you would not!
And arriving at the place, he said to them, Pray that you may not enter into trial. And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, prayed, read more. saying, Father, if thou wilt, take this cup away from me; but not my will, but thine be done. And an angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was like large drops of blood falling down to the ground. And rising from prayer, and coming to the disciples, he found them sleeping from grief, and he said to them, Why do you sleep? Arise, and pray that you may not enter into trial. And while he was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, came before them, and he approached Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss? And those about him seeing what was about to occur, said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the servant of the chief priest, and took off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, Suffer even this; and touching his ear he healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests, and commanders of the temple, and elders who came against him, Have you come with swords and clubs, as against a robber? When I was daily with you in the temple you stretched not out your hands upon me but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
And they accused him, saying, We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar, saying that he is an anointed king.
Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but remain in the city till you are endued with power from on high.
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only child with a father, full of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only child with a father, full of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only child with a father, full of grace and truth.
For we all have received of his fullness, and grace for grace;
On the next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.
And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.
On the next day John was again standing, and two of his disciples,
And his two disciples heard him say this, and followed Jesus. And Jesus turning around, and seeing them following, said to them, What do you seek? And they said to him, Rabbi, which interpreted signifies Teacher, where do you stay? read more. He said to them, Come and see. Then they went and saw where he staid, and staid with him that day; it was about the tenth hour. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard from John, and followed him;
And he said to him, I tell you most truly, you shall see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
AND on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
And there was a man of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The Spirit breathes where it wills, and you hear its voice, but you know not whence it comes, nor whither it goes; so is every one that has been born of the Spirit.
He that comes from above is above all; he that is of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth. He that comes from heaven is above all; and what he has seen and heard this he testifies; and no one receives his testimony. read more. He that receives his testimony has sealed that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives not the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He that believes on the Son has eternal life; but he that disbelieves the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God continues on him.
When, therefore, the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, though Jesus himself indeed baptized not, but his disciples, read more. he left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
Do you not say, There are yet four months, and the harvest comes? behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and see the fields; for they are white for a harvest.
I have sent you to reap that on which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.
When, therefore, the Samaritans came to him, they desired him to remain with them; and he remained there two days.
AND after two days he departed thence to Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet is without honor in his native country.
And there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep-gate, a pool, called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
If I testify of myself my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of me, and I know that the testimony which he testifies of me is true.
I have come in my Father's name and you receive me not; if another comes in his own name, him will you receive.
AFTER these things Jesus went across the lake of Galilee, the Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he performed on the sick. read more. And Jesus went up on the mountain and sat there with his disciples.
1-2 miles], they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the ship, and they were afraid. And the passover was nigh, the feast of the Jews.
And the passover was nigh, the feast of the Jews. Then Jesus lining up his eyes, and seeing many people come to him, said to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?
Then Jesus lining up his eyes, and seeing many people come to him, said to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? But this he said to try him; for he knew what he was about to do. read more. Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii [$28] worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that each may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes; but what are these for so many? Jesus said, Make the men sit down. And there was much grass in the place. The men, therefore, sat down in number about five thousand. Then Jesus took the bread, and having given thanks, distributed it to those reclining; likewise also of the fishes, as much as they wished. And when they were filled he said to his disciples, Collect the fragments that remain over, that nothing may be lost. Then they collected, and filled twelve traveling-baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which remained over to those who had eaten. Then the men, seeing what a miracle Jesus had performed, said, This is truly the prophet who was to come into the world. And Jesus knowing that they were about to come and take him by force to make him a king, went up to the mountain himself alone. And when it was evening, his disciples went down to the lake, and entering into the ship were crossing the lake to Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them, and the lake was made rough by a great wind blowing. Then having gone about twenty-five or thirty stadiums [3 or But he said to them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly took him into the ship, and immediately the ship was at the land to which they were going. ON the next day, the multitude standing on the other side of the lake seeing that there was no other boat there except one, and that Jesus entered not into the ship with his disciples but his disciples had gone away alone,??23 but other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten bread after the Lord gave thanks,??24 when, therefore, the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they went into the ships and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him. AND the feast of the Jews was nigh, the feast of tabernacles.
Having said these things he continued in Galilee. But when his brothers had gone up, then he also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
others said, This is the Christ; others said, [No]; for does the Christ come from Galilee?
And he answered and said, Who is he, sir, that I shall believe on him?
I tell you most truly, he that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs in at some other place, he is a thief and robber; but he that enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. To him the gate-keeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his sheep by name, and leads them out. When he puts out all his sheep he goes before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. But a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spoke Jesus to them, but they knew not what the words which he spoke to them meant.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
Therefore my Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again.
IT was the dedication at Jerusalem; it was winter;
Then the Jews came around him and said to him, How long do you hold our minds [in doubt]? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.
And he went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and continued there.
A CERTAIN man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister.
THEN Jesus, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
the poor you always have with you, but me you have not always.
He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes and understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I should cure them.
AND before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own in the world he loved them to the end. And supper being over, the devil having already put it in the heart that Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, should betray him,
And supper being over, the devil having already put it in the heart that Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, should betray him, he knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, read more. arose from supper, and laid aside his clothes, and taking a towel girded himself: Then he put water into the wash-basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. Then he came to Simon Peter; he said to him, Lord, do you wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do you know not now, but you shall know hereafter. Peter said to him, You shall never by any means wash my feet. He answered him, Unless I wash you you have no part with me. Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, He that is washed needs only that his feet should be washed, but is wholly pure; and you are pure, but not all. For he knew him that was to betray him; therefore, he said, You are not all pure.
My little children, I am with you yet a little while. You shall seek me, and as I said to the Jews, Where I go you cannot come, I now also say to you.
I will not speak with you much more; for the ruler of this world comes and has nothing in me;
I will not speak with you much more; for the ruler of this world comes and has nothing in me;
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
JESUS having said these words went out with his disciples across the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which he entered and his disciples.
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it and struck the servant of the chief priest, and cut off his right ear; and the name of the servant was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword in the sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not drink it?
Then Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword in the sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not drink it? Then the guard and the chiliarch and the officers of the Jews apprehended Jesus, and bound him, read more. and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year; and Caiaphas was the one who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should be destroyed for the people. But Simon Peter followed Jesus, and the other disciple; and that disciple was known to the chief priest, and went in with Jesus to the chief priest's court; but Peter stood at the door without. Then the other disciple who was known to the chief priest went out and spoke to the door-keeper, and brought in Peter.
And there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and the sister of his mother, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary the Magdalene. Then Jesus seeing his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, said to his mother, Woman, behold your son.
Then Jesus seeing his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, said to his mother, Woman, behold your son. Then he said to the disciple, Behold your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own [house].
but one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water. He who saw has testified, and his testimony is true, for he knows that he says what is true, that you also may believe.
He who saw has testified, and his testimony is true, for he knows that he says what is true, that you also may believe.
and again another Scripture says, They shall look on him whom they have pierced.
Then went Peter and the other disciple, and came to the tomb. And the two ran together; and the other disciple outran Peter and came first to the tomb, read more. and stooping down saw the bandages lying, but he went not in. Then Simon Peter came following him, and went into the tomb, and beheld the bandages lying, and the napkin which was on his head not lying with the bandages but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and saw and believed; for they did not yet know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went away by themselves.
And having said this he showed them both his hands and his side; then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. Then the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord; but he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the impression of the nails, and put my finger in the impression of the nails, and put my hand in his side, I will not believe. read more. And after eight days his disciples were again within, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be to you. Then he said to Thomas, Reach here your finger and behold my hands, and reach your hand and put it in my side, and be not faithless but believing.
Then he said to Thomas, Reach here your finger and behold my hands, and reach your hand and put it in my side, and be not faithless but believing. Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God. read more. Jesus said to him, Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and believed. Jesus performed also many other miracles in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book; but these are recorded that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
but these are recorded that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
I tell you most truly, that when you were young you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you become old, you shall stretch out your hands and another shall bind you and carry you where you would not;
This is the disciple who testifies of these things and has written them; and we know that his testimony is true.
This is the disciple who testifies of these things and has written them; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written particularly, I do not suppose the world itself could contain the books written.
AND a certain Jew by the name of Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, being powerful in the Scriptures.
who is the likeness of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, for by him were all things created which are in heaven and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through him and for him,
knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle is at hand, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.