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 he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis, and Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you:
And when Jesus had ended these sayings, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any one the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son is pleased to reveal him.
he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, Whence hath HE this wisdom and these mighty works?
And in the evening his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past: send the multitude away, that going into the villages, they may buy themselves victuals.
And Simon Peter answering said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Should'st not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, as I had pity on thee?
And Jesus, when he had finished these sayings, departed from Gacilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them who are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a bird gathereth her young under her wings; and ye would not!
She hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
When the evening was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Then Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, And from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, having heard what great things he did, came to him.
And the devil, having ended all the temptation, departed from him till a convenient season.
he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
And he said to them, This day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears.
All things are delivered to me of 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 the Son is pleased to reveal him.
And as they went, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house.
And as they went, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together as a bird gathereth her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
And when he was at the place he said to them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, read more. and kneeling down, he prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless 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 down on the ground. And rising up from prayer, he came to his disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, And said to them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. And Jesus said to him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? When they who were about him saw what would follow, they said to him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answering said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, who were come to him, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour and the power of darkness.
And they accused him saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying, that he himself is Christ a king.
but tarry in the city Jerusalem, till ye be clothed with power from on high.
And the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.
And the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.
And the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.
And out of his fulness have we all received, even grace upon grace. For the law was given by Moses,
The next day he seeth Jesus coming toward him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.
And John testified, saying, I saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and it abode upon him.
And John testified, saying, I saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and it abode upon him.
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turning and seeing them following, saith to them, What seek ye? They said to him, Rabbi, (that is, being interpreted, Master) where dwellest thou? read more. He saith to them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day; for it was about the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John speak and followed him.
Verily, verily I say to you, Hereafter ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man.
And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The wind bloweth where it lifteth, and thou hearest the found thereof, but canst not tell, whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth: yet no man receiveth his testimony. read more. He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal, that God is true. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not him the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life: but he that obeyeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
When therefore the Lord knew, that the Pharisees had heard, Jesus maketh and baptizeth more disciples than John, (Tho' Jesus himself batized not; read more. but his disciples) He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
Say ye not, There are yet four months, and the harvest cometh? Lo, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and survey the fields, for they are white already to harvest.
I have sent you to reap that whereon ye have bestowed no labour: others have laboured, and ye are entered into their labour.
So when the Samaritans were come to him, they besought him to tarry with them.
After the two days, he departed thence, and went into Galilee. (Now Jesus himself had testified, That a prophet hath not honour in his own country.)
Now there is in Jerusalem, by the sheep-gate, a bath, which is called in the Hebrew tongue, Bethesda, having five porticos.
If I testify of myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another that testifieth of me, and I know that the testimony which he testifieth of me is valid.
if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
After these things, Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, the sea of Tiberias, And a great multitude followed him, because they had seen the miracles which he did on the diseased. read more. But Jesus went up into a mountain, and sat there with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. Jesus then lifting up his eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming to him, saith to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Jesus then lifting up his eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming to him, saith to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (But this he said, trying him; for he himself knew what he intended to do.) read more. Philip answered him, Two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that each of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith to him, Here is a lad, who hath five barley-loaves and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? Jesus said, Make the men sit down. (Now there was much grass in the place) So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Then Jesus took the loaves, and having given thanks, distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were sat down, and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he saith to his disciples, Gather up the fragments which remain, that nothing be lost. They therefore gathered them, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley-loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. Then those men, having seen the miracle which Jesus did, said, Of a truth this is 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, again retired to the mountain all alone. In the evening, his disciples went down to the sea, And entering into the vessel, they went over the sea toward Capernaum: And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea ran high, a great wind blowing. And having rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh to the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith to them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land to which they were bound. The day following, the multitude who had stood on the other side of the sea, because they saw there was no other vessel there, save that one into which his disciples went, and that Jesus went not into the vessel with his disciples, but that his disciples were gone away alone:
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was nigh.
Having said these things to them, he abode in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then he also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were privately.
Verily, verily I say to you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. To him the door-keeper openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he hath led forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus to them; but they understood not what things they were which he spake to them.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
Now the feast of the dedication came on at Jerusalem: and it was winter.
Then came the Jews round about him, and said to him, How long dost thou keep us in suspense?
And he went away again beyond Jordan, to the place where John baptized at first, and there he abode.
Now one Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha, was sick.
Then Jesus, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he had raised from the dead.
Ye have the poor always with you: but me ye have not always.
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they might not see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and be converted, that I might heal them.
Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing his hour was come to pass out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end. And while they were at supper (the devil having now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon,
And while they were at supper (the devil having now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him) Jesus knowing the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come forth from God, and going to God, read more. Riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments, and taking a towel, girded himself. After that, he poured water into the bason, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel, wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he 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 shalt 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 who hath been bathed, needeth only to wash his feet, and is clean all over: and ye are clean; but not all. For he knew who would betray him: therefore he said, Ye are not all clean.
Little children, yet a little while I am with you: ye shall seek me, and as I said to the Jews, Whither I go ye cannot come, so now I say to you.
Hereafter I shall not talk much with with you; for the prince of this world is coming; but he hath nothing in me:
Hereafter I shall not talk much with with you; for the prince of this world is coming; but he hath nothing in me:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away;
Jesus having spoken these words, went forth with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered and his disciples.
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right-ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up the sword into its scabbard. The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up the sword into its scabbard. The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Then the soldiers, and the captain, and the officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him; read more. And led him away to Annas first (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.) Caiaphas was he who had counselled the Jews, that it was expedient one man should die for the people. Now Simon Peter followed Jesus, and another disciple. That disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without: therefore the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, and spake to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus therefore seeing his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son.
Jesus therefore seeing his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and forthwith there came out blood and water. And he that saw, hath testified it, and his testimony is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye may believe.
And he that saw, hath testified it, and his testimony is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye may believe.
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they have pierced.
Then Peter went out and the other disciple, and ran toward the sepulchre. They both ran together: but the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. read more. And stooping down, he saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came first to the sepulchre, went in; and he saw and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went home again.
And having said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas called Didymus, one of the twelve, 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 the print of the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the prints of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. read more. And eight days after, his disciples were again within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing. And 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: happy are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And Jesus wrought many other miracles also, in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life thro' his name.
But these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life thro' his name.
Verily, verily I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself, and walk whither thou wouldest: but when thou art old, thou shalt stretch out thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
This is the disciple, who testifieth of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did,
This is the disciple, who testifieth of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were to be written particularly, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that were written.
Now a certain Jew, Apollos by name, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the first begotten of every creature. For through him were created all things, that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible; whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him and for him.
Knowing that shortly I must put off my tabernacle, even as the Lord Jesus Christ shewed me.