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, coming, he dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, "A Nazarene shall He be called."
And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judaea, and beyond Jordan.
but I say to you, Love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you;
And it came to pass that, when Jesus ended these words, the multitudes were astonished at His teaching; for He was teaching them as One having authority, and not as the scribes.
pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth laborers into His harvest.
"All things were delivered to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows the Son except the Father; neither does any one fully know the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son willeth to reveal Him.
And, coming into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Whence hath this Man this wisdom, and the mighty works?
And, evening coming on, the disciples came to Him, saying, "The place is desert, and the time already passed by: dismiss the multitudes, that, having gone into the villages, they may buy food for themselves."
And Simon Peter, answering, said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow-servant, as I had mercy on you?'
And it came to pass that, when Jesus finished these words, He departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judaea, beyond the Jordan.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! that kills the prophets, and stones those sent to her! how often did I wish to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
for the poor ye always have with you; but Me ye have not always.
And, evening having come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, whose name was Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus.
teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you; and, behold, I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age."
And, after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God,
And Jesus with His disciples withdrew to the sea; and a great multitude from Galilee followed Him; and from Judaea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond the Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing what things He was doing, came to Him.
And, having completed every temptation, the Devil departed from Him until a fitting season.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; because He anointed Me to publish good tidings to the poor; He hath sent Me to proclaim release to captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away the crushed in freedom.
And He began to say to them, "To-day has this Scripture been fulfilled in your ears."
"All things were delivered up 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 purposeth to reveal Him."
Now, as they were going on their way, He entered into a certain village; and a certain woman, Martha by name, received Him into her house.
Now, as they were going on their way, He entered into a certain village; and a certain woman, Martha by name, received Him into her house.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those sent to her; how often I wished to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is abandoned to you!
and, having come to the place, He said to them, "Pray, that ye enter not into temptation." And He was parted from them about a stone's throw; and, kneeling down, He prayed, read more. saying, "Father, if Thou art 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 was praying more earnestly. And His sweat became, as it were, large drops of blood falling down upon the ground! And, arising from prayer, and coming to the disciples, He found them sleeping for grief, and said to them, "Why are ye sleeping? Rising up, pray, that ye enter not into temptation." While He was yet speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who is called Judas, one of the twelve, was coming before them; and he drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. And Jesus said to him, "Judas, do ye betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" And those about Him, seeing what was about to follow, said, "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" And a certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear. But Jesus, answering, said, "Suffer ye thus far." And, touching the ear, He healed him. And Jesus said to the high priests and captains of the temple and elders, who came up against Him, "Did 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 began to accuse Him, saying, "We found This Man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ a King!"
And, behold, I send forth the promise of My Father upon you; but abide ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high."
And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld His glory??lory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld His glory??lory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld His glory??lory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
because out of His fulness we all received, and grace for grace:
On the morrow he sees Jesus coming to him, and he says, "Behold, the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sin of the world!
And John testified, saying, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of Heaven, and He abode upon Him.
And John testified, saying, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of Heaven, and He abode upon Him.
And the two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus, turning and beholding them following, saith to them, "What are ye seeking?" They said to Him, "Rabbi," (which, being translated, means Teacher), "where abidest Thou?" read more. He saith to them, "Come and ye shall see." They came, therefore, and saw where He was abiding, and they abode with Him that day: it was about the tenth hour. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard it from John, and followed Him.
And He saith to him, "Verily, verily, I say to you, ye shall see Heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
And, on 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, whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The Spirit breatheth where He willeth; and you hear His voice, but know not whence He cometh, or whither He goeth: so is every one who has been born of the Spirit."
He That cometh from above is above all; he that is of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth; He that cometh from Heaven is above all. What He hath seen, and what He heard, of this He bears testimony; and no man receives His testimony. read more. He that received His testimony did set his seal to it, that God is true. For He Whom God sent speaketh the words of God; for He giveth not the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believes on the Son has eternal life; but he that disbelieves the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
When, therefore, the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus was making and immersing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself did not immerse, but His disciples), read more. He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
Say not ye, 'There are yet four months, and the harvest is coming?' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and view the fields, because they are white for harvest.
I sent you to reap that on which ye bestowed no labor; others have labored, and ye entered into their labor."
When, therefore, the Samaritans came to Him, they kept asking Him to abide with them: and He abode there two days.
And, after the two days, He went forth thence into Galilee; for Jesus Himself testified, that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
Now there is in Jerusalem, by the sheep-gate, a pool, which is called, in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
If I testify concerning Myself, My testimony is not true. There is Another Who testifieth concerning Me; and I know that the testimony which He testifieth concerning Me is true.
I have come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
After these things Jesus went away, beyond the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude was following Him, because they were beholding the signs which He was doing on the sick. read more. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and was sitting there with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. Jesus, therefore, lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude is coming to Him, saith to Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"
Jesus, therefore, lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude is coming to Him, saith to Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" And this He said, proving him; for He Himself knew what He was about to do. read more. Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denaries worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that each one may take a little." One of His disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, says to Him, "There is a lad here, who has five barley loaves and two small fishes; but what are these among so many?" Jesus said, "Make the men recline." Now there was much grass in the place. The men, therefore, reclined, in number about five thousand. Jesus, therefore, took the loaves; and, having given thanks, He distributed to those reclining; and likewise of the fishes as much as they wished. And, when they were filled, He saith to His disciples, "Gather up the pieces that remain over, that nothing be lost." So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves, which remained over to those who had eaten. The men, therefore, seeing the sign that He did, said, "This, truly, is the Prophet Who cometh into the world." Jesus, therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take Him by force, to make Him King, withdrew again into the mountain, Himself alone. And, when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea; and, entering into a boat, they were going over the sea to Capernaum; and it had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. And, a strong wind blowing, the sea was being much raised. Having rowed, therefore, about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid. But He saith to them, "It is I; be not afraid." They were willing, therefore, to receive Him into the boat; and straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going. On the morrow the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except one, and that Jesus, entered not with His disciples into the boat, but His disciples went away alone
And after these things Jesus was walking in Galilee: for He was not willing to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.
And, having said these things to them, He abode in Galilee. But, when His brethren went up to the feast, then He also went up, not openly, but as it were in secret.
others said, "This is the Christ;" but some said, "What? doth the Christ come out of Nazareth?"
"Verily, verily, I say to you, he that enters not through the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he that enters through the door is shepherd of the sheep. read more. To him the porter opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he drives out all his own, he goes on before them, and the sheep follow him; because they know his voice. But a stranger they will in no wise follow, but will flee from him; because 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 lays down his soul for the sheep.
On this account My Father loveth Me, because I lay down My soul, that I may take it again.
Then occurred the feast of dedication in Jerusalem; and it was winter;
The Jews, therefore, came round about Him, and said to Him, "How long dost Thou hold us in suspense? If Thou art the Christ, tell us plainly."
And He went away again beyond the Jordan unto the place where John was at first immersing; and there He abode.
Now a certain one was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Jesus, therefore, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.
for the poor ye always have with you, but Me ye have not always."
"He hath blinded their eyes, and He hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I should heal them."
Now, before the feast of the passover, Jesus, knowing that His hour came that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And, supper being in progress, the Devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him,
And, supper being in progress, the Devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, knowing that the Father gave all things into His hands, and that He came forth from God, and was going to God, read more. He riseth from the supper, and layeth aside His garments; and, taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. He cometh, therefore, to Simon Peter. He says to Him, "Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?" Jesus answered, and said to him, "What I am doing you know not now; but you shall know hereafter." Peter says to Him, "Thou shalt never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I wash you not, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter says to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Jesus saith to him, "He who has bathed has no need, except to wash his feet, but is wholly clean; and ye are clean, but not all;" for He knew him who would betray Him; on this account, He said, "Ye are not all clean."
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye will seek Me; and, as I said to the Jews, 'Whither I go ye cannot come;' so now I say to you.
I will no more speak much with you; for the Prince of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;
I will no more speak much with you; for the Prince of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman.
Having spoken these things, Jesus went forth with His disciples beyond the winter-brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which He entered Himself and His disciples.
Simon Peter, therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus. Jesus, therefore, said to Peter, "Put up the sword into the sheathe. The cup which the Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?"
Jesus, therefore, said to Peter, "Put up the sword into the sheathe. The cup which the Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" So the band, and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus, and bound Him, read more. and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. And it was Caiaphas who counseled the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; But Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spake to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus, therefore, seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, saith to His mother, "Woman, behold your Son!"
Jesus, therefore, seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, saith to His mother, "Woman, behold your Son!" Then saith He to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and straightway there came out blood and water. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he says what is true, that ye also may believe.
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he says what is true, that ye also may believe.
And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him Whom they pierced."
Peter, therefore, went forth, and the other disciple, and they were going to the tomb. And the two were running together; and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; read more. and, having stooped to look within, he beholds the linen cloths lying; yet he went not within. Simon Peter, therefore, also comes, following him, and he went into the tomb; and beholds the linen cloths lying, and the napkin that was on His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then went in, therefore, the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb; and he saw, and believed; for as yet they knew not the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. The disciples, therefore, went away again to their own home.
And, having said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples, therefore, rejoiced, when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples, therefore, said to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and press my hand into His side, I will not believe." read more. And, after eight days, again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be to you!" Then He saith to Thomas, "Reach hither your finger, and see My hands; and reach hither your hand, and press it into My side; and be not faithless, but believing."
Then He saith to Thomas, "Reach hither your finger, and see My hands; and reach hither your hand, and press it into My side; and be not faithless, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" read more. Jesus saith to him, "Because you have seen Me, you believe: happy are those who did not see, and yet believed." Many other signs, therefore, did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which have not been written in this book; but these have been written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye may have life in His name.
but these have been written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye may have life in His name.
Verily, verily, I say to you, when you were young, you were wont to gird yourself, and to walk wheresoever you wished; but, when you become old, you will stretch forth your hands, and another will gird you, and carry you whither you wish not."
This is the disciple who testifies concerning these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
This is the disciple who testifies concerning 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, indeed, were they written one by one, I suppose that not even the world itself would contain the books that would be written.
Now a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, a learned man, came down to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.
Who is the image of the invisible God, Primal Source of all creation; because in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers??ll things have been created through Him, and for Him;
knowing that speedy is the putting off of my tabernacle, as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me.