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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And there he settled in the town of Nazareth, in fulfillment of these words in the Prophets--'He will be called a Nazarene.'
And he was followed by large crowds from Galilee, the district of the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
I, however, say to you--Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
By the time that Jesus had finished speaking, the crowd was filled with amazement at his teaching. For he taught them like one who had authority, and not like their Teachers of the Law.
Therefore pray to the Owner of the harvest to send laborers to gather in his harvest."
Everything has been committed to me by my Father; nor does any one fully know the Son, except the Father, or fully know the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son may choose to reveal him.
Going to his own part of the country, he taught the people in their Synagogue in such a manner that they were deeply impressed. "Where did he get this wisdom?" they said, "and the miracles?
In the evening the disciples came up to him, and said: " This is a lonely spot, and the day is now far advanced; send the crowds away, that they may go to the villages, and buy themselves food."
And to this Simon Peter answered: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
Ought not you, also, to have shown mercy to your fellow- servant, just as I showed mercy to you?'
At the conclusion of this teaching, Jesus withdrew from Galilee, and went into that district of Judea which is on the other side of the Jordan.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! She who slays the Prophets and stones the messengers sent to her--Oh, how often have I wished to gather your children round me, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not came!
You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
When evening had fallen, there came a rich man belonging to Ramah, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
And teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you; and, remember, I myself am with you every day until the close of the age."
After John had been committed to prison, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God--
Then Jesus went away with his disciples to the Sea, followed by a great number of people from Galilee. And a great number, hearing of all that he was doing, came to him from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Edom, from beyond the Jordan, and from the country round Tyre and Sidon.
When he had tried every kind of temptation, the Devil left Jesus, till another opportunity.
'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, For he has consecrated me to bring Good News to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to captives and restoration of sight to the blind, To set the oppressed at liberty,
And Jesus began: "This very day this passage has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Everything has been committed to me by my Father; nor does any one know who the Son is, except the Father, or who the Father is, except the Son and those to whom the Son may choose to reveal him."
As they continued their journey, Jesus came to a village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her house.
As they continued their journey, Jesus came to a village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her house.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! she who slays the Prophets and stones the messengers sent to her--Oh, how often have I wished to gather your children round me, as a hen takes her brood under her wings, and you would not come!
And, when he reached the spot, he said to them: "Pray that you may not fall into temptation." Then he withdrew about a stone's throw, and knelt down and began to pray. read more. "Father," he said, "if it is thy pleasure, spare me this cup; only, not my will but thine be done." [Presently there appeared to him an angel from Heaven, who strengthened him. And, as his anguish became intense, he prayed still more earnestly, while his sweat was like great drops of blood falling on the ground.] Then he rose from praying, and came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow. "Why are you asleep?" he asked them. "Rise and pray, that you may not fall into temptation." While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared in sight, led by the man called Judas, who was one of the Twelve. Judas approached Jesus, to kiss him; On which Jesus said to him: "Judas, is it by a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?" But when those who were round Jesus saw what was going to happen, they exclaimed: "Master, shall we use our swords?" And one of them struck the High Priest's servant and cut off his right ear; On which Jesus said: "Let me at least do this"; and, touching his ear, he healed the wound. Then, turning to the Chief Priests and Officers in charge at the Temple and Councillors, who had come for him, he said: "Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the Temple Courts, you did not lay hands on me; but now your time has come, and the power of Darkness."
And they began to accuse him: "This is a man whom we found misleading our people, preventing them from paying taxes to the Emperor, and giving out that he himself is 'Christ, a King.'"
And now I am myself about to send upon you that which my Father has promised. But you must remain in the city until you have been invested with power from above."
And the Word became Man, and dwelt among us, (We saw his glory--the glory of the Only Son sent from the Father), full of love and truth.
And the Word became Man, and dwelt among us, (We saw his glory--the glory of the Only Son sent from the Father), full of love and truth.
And the Word became Man, and dwelt among us, (We saw his glory--the glory of the Only Son sent from the Father), full of love and truth.
Out of his fullness we have all received some gift, gift after gift of love;
The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him, and exclaimed: "Here is the Lamb of God, who is to take away the sin of the world!
John also made this statement--"I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of the heavens, and it remained upon him.
John also made this statement--"I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of the heavens, and it remained upon him.
The next day, when John was standing with two of his disciples,
The two disciples heard him say this, and followed Jesus. But Jesus turned round, and saw them following. "What are you looking for?" he asked. "Rabbi," they answered (or, as we should say, "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" read more. "Come, and you shall see," he replied. So they went, and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was then about four in the afternoon. One of the two, who heard what John said and followed Jesus, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
In truth I tell you," he added, "you shall all see Heaven open, and 'the angels of God ascending and descending' upon the Son of Man."
Two days after this there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and Jesus' mother was there.
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a leading man among the Jews.
The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes, or where it goes; it is the same with every one that owes his birth to the Spirit."
He who comes from above is above all others; but a child of earth is earthly, and his teaching is earthly, too. He who comes from Heaven is above all others. He states what he has seen and what he heard, and yet no one accepts his statement. read more. They who did accept his statement attested the fact that God is true. For he whom God sent as his Messenger gives us God's own teaching, for God does not limit the gift of the Spirit. The Father loves his Son, and has put everything in his hands. He who believes in the Son has Immortal Life, while he who rejects the Son will not even see that Life, but remains under 'God's displeasure.'
Now, when the Master heard that the Pharisees had been told that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John (Though it was not Jesus himself, but his disciples, who baptized), read more. He left Judea, and set out again for Galilee.
Do not you say that it still wants four months to harvest? Why, look up, and see how white the fields are for harvest!
I have sent you to reap that on which you have spent no labor; others have labored, and you have entered upon the results of their labor."
And, when these Samaritans had come to Jesus, they begged him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.
After these two days Jesus went on to Galilee; For he himself declared that 'a Prophet is not honored in his own country.'
There is in Jerusalem, near the Sheep-gate, a Bath with five colonnades round it. It is called in Hebrew 'Bethesda.'
If I bear testimony to myself, my testimony is not trustworthy; It is another who bears testimony to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is trustworthy.
I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee--otherwise called the Lake of Tiberias. A great crowd of people, however, followed him, because they saw the signs of his mission in his work among those who were afflicted. read more. Jesus went up the hill, and sat down there with his disciples. It was near the time of the Jewish Festival of the Passover.
It was near the time of the Jewish Festival of the Passover. Looking up, and noticing that a great crowd was coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip: "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?"
Looking up, and noticing that a great crowd was coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip: "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he meant to do. read more. "Twenty pounds' worth of bread," answered Philip, "would not be enough for each of them to have a little." "There is a boy here," said Andrew, another of his disciples, Simon Peter's brother, "Who has five barley loaves and two fishes; but what is that for so many?" "Make the people sit down," said Jesus. It was a grassy spot; so the men, who numbered about five thousand, sat down, And then Jesus took the loaves, and, after saying the thanksgiving, distributed them to those who were sitting down; and the same with the fish, giving the people as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples: "Collect the broken pieces that are left, so that nothing may be wasted." The disciples did so, and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves, which were left after all had eaten. When the people saw the signs which Jesus gave, they said: "This is certainly 'the Prophet who was to come' into the world." But Jesus, having discovered that they were intending to come and carry him off to make him King, retired again up the hill, quite alone. When evening fell, his disciples went down to the Sea, And, getting into a boat, began to cross to Capernaum. By this time darkness had set in, and Jesus had not yet come back to them; The Sea, too, was getting rough, for a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed three or four miles, they caught sight of him walking on the water and approaching the boat, and they were frightened. But Jesus said to them: "It is I; do not be afraid!" And after this they were glad to take him into the boat; and the boat at once arrived off the shore, for which they had been making. The people who remained on the further side of the Sea had seen that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not gone into it with his disciples, but that they had left without him.
After this, Jesus went about in Galilee, for he would not do so in Judea, because the Jews were eager to put him to death. When the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near,
After telling them this, he stayed on in Galilee. But, when his brothers had gone up to the Festival, Jesus also went up--not publicly, but privately.
"This is certainly 'the Prophet'!"; others said: "This is the Christ!"; but some asked: "What! does the Christ come from Galilee?
"Tell me who he is, Sir," he replied, "so that I may believe in him."
In truth I tell you, whoever does not go into the sheepfold through the door, but climbs up at some other place, that man is a thief and a robber; But the man who goes in through the door is shepherd to the sheep. read more. For him the watchman opens the door; and the sheep listen to his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he has brought them all out, he walks in front of them, and his sheep follow him, because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but will run away from him; because they do not know a stranger's voice." This was the allegory that Jesus told them, but they did not understand of what he was speaking.
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life- -to receive it again.
Soon after this the Festival of the Re-dedication was held at Jerusalem.
When the Jews gathered round him, and said: "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us so frankly."
Then Jesus again crossed the Jordan to the place where John used to baptize at first, and stayed there some time, during which many people came to see him.
Now a man named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill; he belonged to the same village as Mary and her sister Martha.
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, was living.
The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me."
'He has blinded their eyes, and blunted their mind, so that they should not see with their eyes, and perceive with their mind, and turn--And I should heal them.'
Before the Passover Festival began, Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave the world and go to the Father. He had loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them to the last. The Devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus into the mind of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon;
The Devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus into the mind of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; And at supper, Jesus--although knowing that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God, and was to return to God-- read more. Rose from his place, and, taking off his upper garments, tied a towel round his waist. He then poured some water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel which was tied round him. When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said: "You, Master! Are you going to wash my feet?" "You do not understand now what I am doing," replied Jesus, "but you will learn by and by." "You shall never wash my feet!" exclaimed Peter. "Unless I wash you," answered Jesus, "you have nothing in common with me." "Then, Master, not my feet only," exclaimed Simon Peter, "but also my hands and my head." "He who has bathed," replied Jesus, "has no need to wash, unless it be his feet, but is altogether clean; and you," he said to the disciples, "are clean, yet not all of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said 'You are not all clean.'
My children, I am to be with you but a little while longer. You will look for me; and what I said to the Jews--'You cannot come where I am going'--I now say to you.
I shall not talk with you much more, for the Spirit that is ruling the world is coming. He has nothing in common with me;
I shall not talk with you much more, for the Spirit that is ruling the world is coming. He has nothing in common with me;
I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Vine-grower.
When Jesus had said this, he went out with his disciples and crossed the brook Kedron to a place where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples went.
At this, Simon Peter, who had a sword with him, drew it, and struck the High Priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. But Jesus said to Peter: "Sheathe your sword. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?"
But Jesus said to Peter: "Sheathe your sword. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?" So the soldiers of the garrison, with their Commanding Officer and the Jewish police, arrested Jesus and bound him, read more. And took him first of all to Annas. Annas was the father-in- law of Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews, that it was best that one man should die for the people. Meanwhile Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. That disciple, being well-known to the High Priest, went with Jesus into the High Priest's court-yard, While Peter stood outside by the door. Presently the other disciple--the one well-known to the High Priest--went out and spoke to the portress, and brought Peter in.
Meanwhile near the cross of Jesus were standing his mother and his mother's sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved, standing near, he said to his mother: "There is your son."
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved, standing near, he said to his mother: "There is your son." Then he said to that disciple: "There is your mother." And from that very hour the disciple took her to live in his house.
One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water immediately flowed from it. This is the statement of one who actually saw it--and his statement may be relied upon, and he knows that he is speaking the truth--and it is given in order that you also may be convinced.
This is the statement of one who actually saw it--and his statement may be relied upon, and he knows that he is speaking the truth--and it is given in order that you also may be convinced.
And there is another passage which says--'They will look upon him whom they pierced.'
Upon this, Peter started off with that other disciple, and they went to the tomb. The two began running together; but the other disciple ran faster than Peter, and reached the tomb first. read more. Stooping down, he saw the linen wrappings lying there, but did not go in. Presently Simon Peter came following behind him, and went into the tomb; and he looked at the linen wrappings lying there, And the cloth which had been upon Jesus' head, not lying with the wrappings, but rolled up on one side, separately. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went inside too, and he saw for himself and was convinced. For they did not then understand the passage of Scripture which says that Jesus must rise again from the dead. The disciples then returned to their companions.
After which he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Master.
But Thomas, one of the Twelve, called 'The Twin,' was not with them when Jesus came; So the rest of the disciples said to him: "We have seen the Master!" "Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands," he exclaimed, "and put my finger into the marks, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." read more. A week later the disciples were again in the house, and Thomas with them. After the doors had been shut, Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas: "Place your finger here, and look at my hands; and place your hand here, and put it into my side; and do not refuse to believe, but believe."
Then he said to Thomas: "Place your finger here, and look at my hands; and place your hand here, and put it into my side; and do not refuse to believe, but believe." And Thomas exclaimed: "My Master, and my God!" read more. "Is it because you have seen me that you have believed?" said Jesus. "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed!" There were many other signs of his mission that Jesus gave in presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book; But these have been recorded that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God--and that, through your belief in his Name, you may have Life.
But these have been recorded that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God--and that, through your belief in his Name, you may have Life.
"In truth I tell you," he continued, "when you were young, you used to put on your own girdle, and walk wherever you wished; but, when you have grown old, you will have to stretch out your hands, while some one else puts on your girdle, and takes you where you do not wish."
It is this disciple who states these things, and who recorded them; and we know that his statement is true.
It is this disciple who states these things, and who recorded them; and we know that his statement is true. There are many other things which Jesus did; but, if every one of them were to be recorded in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not hold the books that would be written.
Meanwhile there had come to Ephesus an Alexandrian Jew, named Apollos, an eloquent man, who was well-versed in the Scriptures.
For Christ is the very incarnation of the invisible God-- First-born and Head of all creation; For in him was created all that is in Heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible--Angels and Archangels and all the Powers of Heaven.
for I know that the time for this 'tent' of mine to be put away is soon coming, as our Lord Jesus Christ himself assured me.