the Sixth Week after Epiphany
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Bible Commentaries
Light of Israel Bible Commentary Light of Israel
The Word Became Flesh; John the Baptist's Testimony.Chapter 2
Wedding at Cana; Cleansing of the Temple.Chapter 3
Nicodemus; Jesus' Mission; New Birth.Chapter 4
Samaritan Woman; Healing of Official's Son.Chapter 5
Healing at the Pool; Controversy with Jews.Chapter 6
Feeding 5,000; Walking on Water; Bread of Life Discourse.Chapter 7
Feast of Tabernacles; Jesus' Teachings and Division.Chapter 8
Woman Caught in Adultery; Light of the World.Chapter 9
Healing of the Blind Man; Controversy.Chapter 10
Good Shepherd Discourse; Jesus' Works and Rejection.Chapter 11
Raising of Lazarus; Plot to Kill Jesus.Chapter 12
Anointing at Bethany; Triumphal Entry; Teachings.Chapter 13
Washing of Disciples' Feet; Prediction of Betrayal.Chapter 14
Comforting Words; Promise of the Holy Spirit.Chapter 15
The True Vine; Command to Love.Chapter 16
Promises of the Holy Spirit; Overcoming the World.Chapter 17
Jesus' High Priestly Prayer for Unity.Chapter 18
Arrest of Jesus; Trial before Pilate.Chapter 19
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.Chapter 20
Resurrection; Appearances to Mary and Disciples.Chapter 21
Restoration of Peter; Final Appearances and Instructions.
- John
by Jim Gerrish
When we open up the Fourth Gospel we note immediately that it is different from the other three. While the three synoptic gospels focus on what Jesus taught, the Fourth Gospel focuses on who Jesus is.(F1) "Matthew and Luke begin with Jesus' birth, Mark begins with his baptism, but John begins before the creation…"(F2) While the other gospels focus on the natural events related to Jesus, John focuses on the spiritual significance of these events. Early Christian writers symbolized the Gospel of John as an eagle, likely because of the lofty heights the author attained.(F3) It is reported that the great Augustine (354-430) said of this gospel that it is deep enough for an elephant to swim in but it is shallow enough for a little child not to drown.(F4)
In chapters 2 through 11 John demonstrates Jesus as the Christ and Son of God by presenting seven selected miracles or signs.(F5) We are soon aware that the author of this gospel is an eyewitness to the events of Jesus' life (John 19:35; 21:24; 19:26).
From ancient times, John the son of Zebedee, and close disciple of Jesus, was regarded as the author of this book. He is not mentioned by name in the text, but that is also was the case with authors of the other three gospels. John's authorship was attested by Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 180-200) and by Irenaeus (around 200).(F6) His authorship was attested by others such as Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch and by the church historian Eusebius.(F7)
The Gospel of John was probably aimed at the millions of new Gentile Christians who had some basic knowledge of the faith but needed more depth. They needed grounding in order to counteract the numerous heresies that were appearing at latter part of the century.(F8) Many teachers were saying that Jesus was not the Son of God and some were claiming that he was not truly human. In addition, persecution of the church was beginning in a systematic manner and the believers were in need of strong faith.
In his late life, and probably before the fall of Jerusalem to Rome in AD 70, John moved to the large Gentile city of Ephesus. It was from there that he likely wrote his gospel. Most conservative scholars think that the date of the writing was around 85 to 90.(F9)
Today we have a papyrus fragment of John's gospel, the Rylands Papyri in the John Rylands University Library Manchester, UK. This fragment is dated around AD 130.(F10) It is thought to be the earliest fragment of any New Testament text.
