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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He went to a town called Nazareth and made his home there, so that the saying of the prophet was fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."
So great crowds followed Him, from Galilee and Decapolis, from Jerusalem and Judea, and from the other side of Jordan.
But I tell you, practice loving your enemies and praying for your persecutors,
When Jesus had closed this address, the result was that the crowds were dumbfounded at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority to teach, and not as their scribes did.
All things have been entrusted to me by my Father, and no one but the Father perfectly knows the Son, and no one but the Son perfectly knows the Father, and the one to whom the Son chooses to make Him known.
He went to His own home town, and kept teaching in their synagogue in such a way that they were dumbfounded, and said, "Where did He get this wisdom and this power to do such wonder-works?
But when it was evening, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a destitute place, and the day is over; send the crowds off to the villages to buy themselves food."
Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?'
When Jesus had finished this discourse, He left Galilee and went into the district of Judea that is on the other side of the Jordan.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! The city that has kept on murdering the prophets, and stoning those who have been sent to her, how often I have yearned to gather your children around me, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you refused!
for you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.
Although it was now evening, a rich man named Joseph, from Arimathea, who was himself a disciple of Jesus,
and teach them to practice all the commands that I have given you. And I myself will surely be with you all the days, down to the very close of an age."
Now after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God:
So Jesus retired with His disciples to the sea, and a vast throng of people followed Him from Galilee, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from the other side of the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon -- yes, a vast throng of people, as they kept hearing of the great things that He was doing, came to Him.
After the devil had finished every sort of temptation, he left Him till another time.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has consecrated me to preach the good news to the poor; He has sent me to announce release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to send the downtrodden away in liberty and
Then He began to speak to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled here in your hearing."
All things have been entrusted 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 anyone to whom the Son chooses to make Him known."
Now as they were journeying on, He came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him to her house.
Now as they were journeying on, He came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him to her house.
"O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! The city that continues to murder the prophets, and to stone those who are sent to her, how often I have yearned to gather your children around me, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings. But you refused!
Now when He reached the spot, He said to them, "Continue to pray that you may not be subjected to temptation." And He Himself withdrew about a stone's throw from them, and after kneeling down He continued to pray, read more. "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet, not my will but always yours be done!" Omitted Text. Omitted Text. When He rose from His prayer, He went to the disciples and found them asleep from sorrow. Then He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and keep praying that you may not be subjected to temptation." While He was still speaking, look! a crowd had come up, and Judas, one of the Twelve, was their guide; and he stepped up to Jesus to kiss Him. Then Jesus said to him, "Judas, will you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" Those who were about Him saw what was about to take place, and said, "Lord, shall we use our swords now?" Then one of them struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "Permit me to go as far as this!" So He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the high priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come to take Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as though I were a robber? While I was among you day after day in the temple, you never laid a hand on me! But this is your opportunity, even the power which darkness gives you!"
Here they began to make the following charges against Him: "We have found this fellow corrupting our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar and claiming to be a king himself."
And I will send down upon you what my Father has promised. But you, on your part, must stay right here in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
So the Word became human and lived a little while among us, and we actually saw His glory, the glory of One who is an only Son from His Father, and He was full of spiritual blessing and truth.
So the Word became human and lived a little while among us, and we actually saw His glory, the glory of One who is an only Son from His Father, and He was full of spiritual blessing and truth.
So the Word became human and lived a little while among us, and we actually saw His glory, the glory of One who is an only Son from His Father, and He was full of spiritual blessing and truth.
For from His bounty we have all received spiritual blessing after spiritual blessing.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and he said, "Look! He is the Lamb of God who is to take away the world's sin.
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him.
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him.
The two disciples heard him say this, and so they followed Jesus. Now Jesus turned, and as He saw them following Him, He said, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi," (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" read more. He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they went and saw where He was staying, and they spent the rest of the day with Him; it was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
Then He said to him, "I most solemnly say to you all, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God going up, and coming down upon the Son of Man!"
Two days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and Jesus' mother was there.
Now there was a man named Nicodemus, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees and was a leader among the Jews.
The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. That is just the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
He who comes from above is far above all others. He who springs from earth belongs to the earth and speaks of earth. He who comes from heaven is far above all others. He continues to bear testimony to what He has actually seen and heard, and yet no one accepts His testimony. read more. Whoever does accept His testimony has certified with a seal that God is true. For He whom God has sent continues to speak the words of God, for God continues to give Him the Spirit without measure. The Father loves His Son and has put everything in His hands. Whoever trusts in the Son possesses eternal life, but whoever refuses to trust in the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God continues to remain on him.
Now when the Lord learned that the Pharisees had heard that He was winning and baptizing more disciples than John -- though Jesus Himself was not baptizing, it was His disciples -- read more. He left Judea and went back again to Galilee.
Are you not saying, 'In four months more the harvest comes'? Look! I tell you, lift up your eyes and scan the fields, for they are already white for harvesting.
I have sent you to reap a harvest which you have not labored to make. Other men have labored, but you have reaped the results of their labors."
So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they kept on urging Him to stay with them; so He did stay there two days.
After the two days were over, Jesus left there and went on to Galilee, for He Himself declared that a prophet had no honor in his own country.
Now in Jerusalem near the sheep-gate there is a pool called in Hebrew Bethzatha, which has five porticoes,
"If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is of no force, There is someone else who testifies to me, and I know that the testimony which He gives to me is of force.
I have come in my Father's name, but you refuse to accept me. If anyone else should come in his own name, you would accept him.
After this Jesus went to the other side of the sea of Galilee, or Tiberias. And a vast crowd continued to follow Him, for they pressed on to view the wonder-works which He performed for the sick people. read more. And so Jesus went up on the hill and was sitting there with His disciples. Now the Passover, the Jewish feast, was approaching.
Now the Passover, the Jewish feast, was approaching. So Jesus looked up and saw that a vast crowd was coming toward Him, and said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?"
So Jesus looked up and saw that a vast crowd was coming toward Him, and said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?" He was saying this to test him for He knew Himself what He was going to do. read more. Philip answered Him, "Forty dollars' worth of bread is not enough to give them all even a scanty meal apiece." Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, "There is a little boy here who has five barley loaves and a couple of fish, but what are they among so many?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was plenty of grass at the spot; so the men, about five thousand, threw themselves down. Then Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks, and distributed them among the people who were sitting on the ground; so too with the fish as much as they wanted. When they had plenty, He said to His disciples, "Pick up the pieces that are left, that nothing be wasted." So they picked them up and filled twelve baskets with the pieces that were left from the five barley loaves, which were more than the eaters wanted. When the people, therefore, saw the wonder-works that He performed, they began to say, "This is surely the prophet who was to come into the world." So when Jesus learned that they were going to come and carry Him off by force to crown Him king, He again retired to the hill by Himself. When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea and got into a boat and started across the sea to Capernaum. Now it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. The sea was getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terror-stricken. But He said to them, "It is I; stop being afraid!" Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat came to the shore it was making for. Next day the people who had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there was only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gotten into it with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone away by themselves.
After this, Jesus went on moving about in Galilee; He would not do so in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill Him. Now the Jewish feast of Dwelling in Tents was approaching.
He told them this and stayed on in Galilee. But after His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He went up too, not publicly but, as it were, privately.
Others said, "This is the Christ." But still others said, "The Christ does not come from Galilee, does He?
"I most solemnly say to you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs over at some other place is a thief and a robber. But the one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. The doorkeeper opens the door to him, and the sheep obey his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. So when he gets his sheep all out, he goes on before them, and the sheep come on behind him, because they know his voice. But they will never come on behind a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus told them this allegory, but they did not understand what He meant by it.
I am the good shepherd myself. The good shepherd gives his own life for his sheep.
This is why the Father loves me, because I am giving my own life to take it back again.
At that time came the Feast of Rededication at Jerusalem. It was winter,
So the Jews surrounded Him and kept asking Him, "How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are really the Christ, tell us so plainly."
He again crossed the Jordan at the place where John at first used to baptize, and there He stayed.
Now a man was sick; it was Lazarus who lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Now six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus lived, whom He had raised from the dead.
for you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
"He has blinded their eyes and benumbed their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes and understand with their hearts, and turn to me to cure them."
Before the Passover feast started, Jesus knew that His time had come for Him to leave the world and go to the Father, and as He had loved His own in the world He loved them to the last. So Jesus, while supper was on -- although He knew that the devil had suggested to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him --
So Jesus, while supper was on -- although He knew that the devil had suggested to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him -- because He was sure that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, read more. got up from the table, took off His outer clothes, and took a towel and tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel which was around His waist. Thus He came to Simon Peter. Peter said to Him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "You do not now understand what I am doing, but by-and-by you will learn." Peter said to Him, "You must never wash my feet!" Jesus answered, "Unless I do wash you, you can have no share with me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, do not stop with my feet, then, but wash my hands and face too!" Jesus said to him, "Anyone who has taken a bath has no need of washing anything but his feet, but he is clean all over. And you are now clean, though not all of you are." For He knew who was going to betray Him; this is why He said, "You are not all clean."
Dear children, I am to be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, but, as I told the Jews, so I now tell you, you cannot just now go where I am going.
"I shall not talk much more with you, for the evil ruler of this world is coming and he has nothing in common with me,
"I shall not talk much more with you, for the evil ruler of this world is coming and he has nothing in common with me,
"I am the real vine, and my Father is the cultivator.
On saying these things He went out with His disciples across the Ravine of Cedars to a place where there was a garden, and He went into it with His disciples.
So Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into the sheath. Must I not drink the cup which the Father has handed me?"
Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into the sheath. Must I not drink the cup which the Father has handed me?" So the garrison and its commander and the attendants of the Jews arrested Jesus and put handcuffs on Him, read more. and took Him first to Annas. For he was father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was for their welfare that one should die for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple followed on after Jesus. And that other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, and so went on with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter stood outside before the door. So this other disciple, who was acquainted with the high priest, stepped out and spoke to the woman doorkeeper and brought Peter in.
Near Jesus' cross were standing His mother and her sister Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. So Jesus, on seeing His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, "There is your son."
So Jesus, on seeing His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, "There is your son." Then He said to His disciple, "There is your mother." And from that very hour His disciple took her to his own home.
but one of the soldiers thrust a lance into His side and blood and water at once flowed out. The man who saw it has testified to it -- and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth -- in order that you too may come to believe it.
The man who saw it has testified to it -- and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth -- in order that you too may come to believe it.
And again another Scripture says, "They shall look at Him whom they pierced."
So Peter and the other disciple left the city and started for the tomb. And they both kept running, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. read more. And he stooped down and peered in and saw the bandages lying on the ground, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came running up behind him, and he went inside, and saw the bandages lying on the ground, but the handkerchief which had been over His face was not lying with the bandages, but was folded up by itself in another place. So then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went inside and saw, and he came to believe it. For they had not previously understood the Scripture which said that He must rise from the dead. So the disciples went home again.
On saying this, He showed them His hands and His side, and the disciples were thrilled with joy over seeing their Lord.
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, who was called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came in. So the rest of the disciples kept saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail prints in His hands, and put my finger into them, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe it!" read more. Just a week later the disciples were in the room again and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were bolted, Jesus came in and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands, and take your hand and put it in my side, and stop being an unbeliever, but be a believer!"
Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands, and take your hand and put it in my side, and stop being an unbeliever, but be a believer!" Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" read more. Jesus said to him, "Is it because you have seen me, Thomas, that you believe? Blessed be those who believe, even though they have not seen me!" Now there are many other wonder-works which Jesus performed in the disciples' presence which are not recorded in this book. But these have been recorded, in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life, as bearers of His name.
But these have been recorded, in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life, as bearers of His name.
I most solemnly say to you, when you were young, you used to put on your own belt and go where you pleased, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put a belt on you and you will go where you do not please to go."
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down, and we know that his testimony is true.
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down, and we know that his testimony is true. There are many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were all written down in detail, I do not suppose that the world itself could hold the books that would have to be written.
Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria, a learned man, and skillful in the use of the Scriptures.
Yes, He is the exact likeness of the unseen God, His first-born Son who existed before any created thing, for it was through Him that everything was created in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen, thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.
because I know that the removal of my bodily tent is to be very soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.