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Bible Overview is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in Bible study. Each month we feature a book of the Bible (in order) by Bible scholar and lecturer, Mary Jane Chaignot.

This month we will return to our exploration of the four gospels with a study of John. Readers familiar with this gospel know that it is very different from the other three, known as the Synoptics, which literally means “to see and together.” The term highlights the many similarities found among Matthew, Mark and Luke, but which are decidedly absent in John. In its isolation, John is simply referred to as the Fourth Gospel. If you want to read some of the history previous to this selection, you can find the earlier books in our archives.

The Bible Time-Line is another quick reference for locating individuals or specific books. We encourage readers to share their Bible Study success stories on this site. Email us at overview@biblewise.com to be included on next month's site.

John

Almost everything about the Gospel of John remains unknowable. Most scholars think it was the last of the four to be written (though some have recently questioned that premise). That immediately raises the intriguing question as to whether or not John was dependent upon the other three, specifically Mark (which was used by both Matthew and Luke). For a long time, the finest of scholars have put forth cogent arguments for John’s independence. (That, too, has been under review in recent years.) Then there is the question of authorship. In John 21:24, it states: “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.” Most agree that “the disciple” refers to “the beloved disciple” mentioned in 13:23. But then, who is the “we” of verse 24? It would appear that the witness of the beloved disciple is to be distinguished from the author(s). This is borne out further in 19:35, which states: “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.” This is another third person reference to the beloved disciple. Conversations about the identity of “the beloved disciple” are also varied and many. The traditional candidate has always been John, the son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve. But that derives primarily from the desire to ascribe apostolic authority to the author, and modern scholars no longer find that to be a compelling argument. Tomes have been written advocating one theory or another, but some of the issues are simply impossible to know with any certainty, thousands of years after the fact.

What is known is that John differs from the Synoptics in many significant ways. So, if he knew the other gospels, he took considerable license in diverging from them. For example, there is no report of Jesus’ Transfiguration, no Last Supper, no casting out of demons, no temptation of Jesus, no call of the disciples, and no kingdom of God. Jesus’ ministry lasts three years in John versus only one year in the Synoptics. He makes three trips to Jerusalem and celebrates three Passovers, compared to the one described in the synoptics on the eve of his crucifixion. John also has Jesus killed a day earlier – on the Day of Preparation while the lambs are being slaughtered. In the Fourth Gospel, John the Baptist denies being Elijah (1:21) even though Jesus insists in Mark 9:11-13 that he has already come. Peter confesses Jesus as the Holy One of God (6:69) whereas in Mark 8:29 he confesses him as the Christ. During his trial, John has him appearing before Annas, the High Priest, while Matthew states they took him to Caiaphas. The list of differences is lengthy.

Correspondingly, there are many unique features in John. It begins with a prologue that places the whole Gospel within the framework of the pre-existent Word that was made flesh in Jesus. Evidence of Jesus’ messiahship is given through seven signs. There are also seven “I am” sayings in which Jesus identifies himself through symbols common in the religious and human experiences of the Ancient Near East. He states: “I am… bread (6:35); ….the light of the world (8:12ff); …the gate for sheep (10:7ff); ….the good shepherd (10:14); …the resurrection (11:25); …the way, the truth, and the life (14:6); …and the true vine (15:1ff). The second half of the book, beginning with chapter 13, opens with Jesus’ farewell discourse that lasts for four chapters. It highlights his determination to prepare his followers for their mission after he is gone. He instructs them regarding the Comforter/Holy Spirit who will be both teacher and witness, guiding them in the formation of the Christian community. During his first resurrection appearance to the disciples, Jesus breathes on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He could not wait the 50 days until Pentecost (see Acts).

If the synoptics are historical narratives about Jesus, then John is more of a theological treatise. John presents Jesus as the incarnate Word of God. The New Interpreter’s Bible says it like this: “Jesus provides access to God in ways never before possible, because Jesus’ revelation of God derives from the most intimate relation with God. Jesus provides unique and unprecedented access to God because Jesus shares in God’s character and identity… Yet, it is as the Word made flesh that Jesus brings God fully to the world. Jesus’ revelation of God is thus not simply that he speaks God’s words and does God’s work, although that is part of it. It is, rather, that Jesus is God’s Word. No line can be drawn between what he says and what he does, between his identity and mission in the world. Jesus’ words and works, his life and death, form an indissoluble whole that provides full and fresh access to God.”1

Again, Scholars have multiple ways of organizing this Gospel. Besides the two major divisions chapters 1-12; 13-24, we will further subdivide it into five sections: The Prologue – 1:1-18; Jesus’ Public Ministry – 1:19-12:50; Private Discourses – 13:1-17:26; Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection – 18:1-20:31; Epilogue – 24:1-25.

 
 
I – 1:1-18 – The Prologue
   
1:1-5   In the beginning…
This recalls the words of Genesis
It is a reference to timeless eternity
Through him all things were made
Contrast between light and darkness is made plain
     
1:6-8   Introduction of John the Baptist
John will testify concerning “the Word”
     
1:9-13   The world’s response to “the Word”
The world will not recognize him
His own will not receive him
Those who do receive him will become the children of God
     
1:14-18   The Incarnation of the Word
The Word was made flesh
Grace and truth come through him
The Son has made God known
     
II -- 1:19-12:50 -- Jesus’ Public Ministry
     
1:19-34   John the Baptist was sent as witness
John denied being Elijah or the prophet
He claimed his role was the voice of one crying in the desert
John baptized with water (does not baptize Jesus in this Gospel)
John saw Jesus, identified him as the Lamb of God
John witnessed seeing the Spirit descend on Jesus
     
1:35-51   Gathering of disciples
John’s disciples follow Jesus
After hearing this, Andrew went to look for his brother, Simon Peter
Andrew identified
Jesus as the Messiah, brought Simon to Jesus Jesus called Philip and Nathanael
Nathanael identified Jesus as the King of Israel
(Compare synoptics where disciples struggle all along re: Jesus’ identity)
     
2:1-11   Turning water into wine at wedding in Cana
Jesus and disciples were at a wedding
Jesus’ mother approached him after host ran out of wine
She told the servants to do whatever Jesus asked of them
Jesus hesitated, saying his time had not yet come
Then he had the servants fill jars; Jesus turned the water into wine
This was Jesus’ first sign
It revealed his glory and the disciples put their faith in him
     
2:12-22   The cleansing of the temple
After staying at home for a while, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for Passover
He found men selling cattle, wares at the temple
Jesus scattered the coins and overturned the tables of the moneychangers
He accused them of turning his Father’s house into a market
Jews asked for a miraculous sign
Jesus said: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.”
Jews declared it had taken 46 years to rebuild temple
(But Jesus meant his body – after resurrection disciples remembered this)
     
2:23-3:15   Nighttime visit of Nicodemus
Nicodemus came to Jesus during this time of Passover
Nicodemus was a member of the ruling council
Nicodemus declared that Jesus must be a teacher come from God
Jesus stated: “Unless a man be born again (or from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus did not get it, requiring a further explanation from Jesus
Jesus said, “Man must be born of water and Spirit to enter kingdom.”
Entering the kingdom required an inner change
Jesus predicted that the day would come when he would be “lifted up”
     
3:16-21   Narrator’s comment on previous scene
God so loved the world he gave his only Son
God sent his Son not to condemn but to save the world
Light has arrived; but men prefer darkness
     
3:22-36   John the Baptist continued to bear witness to Jesus
Jesus and John were baptizing simultaneously
(According to synoptics, Jesus began his ministry after John was arrested)
Jewish inquirer wanted to know whose baptism was valid – John’s or Jesus’
John showed no jealousy; used simile of bridegroom and attendant
Jesus “came from above” and has higher authority than John
     
4:1-38   The Samaritan woman at the well
     
   

4:1-26         Jesus was passing through Samaria, stopped at                      Jacob’s well
                     Jesus asked for a drink from a Samaritan woman
                     (It would be unusual for a Jewish man to speak to a                      Samaritan woman, much less ask to drink out of her                      “unclean” utensil.)
                     Woman remarked on that fact
                      Jesus said he had “living water”; her interest was                      piqued
                     He told her to get her husband at which point she                      denied being married
                      Jesus told her that was true, since she had had five                       husbands
                      She identified Jesus as a Prophet and as the
                      Messiah

4:27-38        Disciples returned from buying food, were surprised
                      at the scene
                      Woman went back to her town and got all the people
                      to come back to hear Jesus
                      Jesus refused the disciples’ food saying his food
                      was to do God’s will
                      Jesus expounded on a lesson on the harvest,                       separation of labor
                      Jesus had done the work, they would reap the
                      benefit

     
4:39-42  

Samaritans listened to the woman and came out to see Jesus
He stayed with them two days; they identified Jesus as Savior of the world

     
4:43-54   Healing of Nobleman’s son
Jesus returned to Cana; nobleman begged him to heal his son
Jesus healed him from a distance
Man believed Jesus and went home to find his son healed
He and all his household believed
     
5:1-47   The beginning of controversy
     
   

5:1-15           Healing of the paralytic
                       Back in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the “sheep gate”
                       Many disabled people lay there waiting for the                        “troubling of the water”
                       Jesus asked a man who’d been an invalid for 38
                       years if he wanted to be well
                       The man replied that he had no one to help him
                       get into the pool
                       Jesus healed him, told him to pick up his mat and
                       go home
                       Man was immediately healed and did just that
                       Because it was a Sabbath, the Jews chastised him
                       for carrying his mat
                       Later Jesus met up with the man, told him not to
                       sin any longer

5:16-30         Jews persecuted Jesus for healing on Sabbath
                       Jesus said he and his Father worked everyday
                       “The Son can do nothing but what he sees the
                       Father doing.”
                       The Father empowers and loves the Son and
                       entrusts him with judgment

5:31-47         John was a witness to Jesus’ authority
                       Yet, Jesus’ testimony was greater than John’s
                       His works testified that God had sent him

     
6:1-8:59  

Eruption of conflict

     
   

6:1-15           Feeding of the 5,000
                       People followed because of his many miraculous                        signs
                       He asked Philip how they might feed that many
                       Philip said it would take 8 month’s wages
                       A small boy had 5 small barley loaves and two
                       small fish
                       Jesus gave thanks, had disciples distribute the
                       food
                       Twelve baskets were left over
                       After they ate, the people wanted to make him king
                       Jesus withdrew into the hills by himself

6:16-21         Jesus walked on the water
                       Disciples went to the lake
                       After rowing 3 ½ miles, they saw Jesus
                       approaching them on the water
                       They were terrified
                        Jesus reassured them, entered the boat and they                         were immediately at shore

6:22-59          Jesus addressed the crowd in the synagogue
                        People continued to search for Jesus
                        People asked what they must do to do the works                         God required  
                        Jesus replied they were to believe in the one God                         had sent
                        People asked for a sign (like the manna in the                         desert – this is just after 5000 were fed in the                         wilderness!)
                        Jesus said he was “the bread of life”
                         Anyone who comes to him will never be hungry
                         or thirsty
                         Jews began to recall his humble beginnings
                         Jesus rebuked them for grumbling, repeated that
                         he is “the bread of life”
                         Jews argued more
                         Jesus stated: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son
                        of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

6:60-71          Even disciples had a hard time with this saying
                        Jesus repeated that no one could come to the                         Father unless God had enabled him
                        Many disciples left from following Jesus
                        Jesus asked if others wanted to leave; Peter said                         they had nowhere else to go; Jesus agreed, yet
                        one of them would betray him

7:1-52            The Journey to Jerusalem

                        7:1-13         Jesus’ brothers wanted him to go to                                              Jerusalem for the Feast of
                                             Tabernacles – get a little publicity
                                             Jesus said it was not yet his time
                                             (same words used at Cana)
                                             He was not of this world; that is why
                                             the world hated him
                                             Later, he went to Jerusalem in secret
                                             Listened to what people were saying                                              about him; opinions were very divided

                        7:14-44       Jesus taught in the temple court
                                             Midway through feast, Jesus went to                                              temple to teach
                                             He said his teachings originated with                                              God                                                 
                                              Acknowledged authority of Law given
                                              to Moses
                                              Accused authorities of trying to kill
                                              him
                                              People were shocked, accused him
                                              of being demon-possessed
                                              Jesus used example of circumcision                                               (which was allowed on the Sabbath)
                                               to ask why healing was not permitted                                                on the Sabbath
                                               Reaction of crowd varied; some
                                               wanted to kill him, others believed
                                               Guards planned to arrest him, but                                                Jesus said they would not find him
                                               On the last day, Jesus invited all
                                               those who were thirsty to come to
                                               him
                                               Many people thought he was a
                                               prophet, or the Christ

                         7:45-52       Temple guards asked why Pharisees                                               didn’t arrest him
                                              Nicodemus raised a legal problem –                                               Jesus would need to be heard before                                               they could arrest him
                                              Pharisees accused Nicodemus of                                               being from Galilee as well

7:53-8:11         The woman taken in adultery
                           Jesus retired to the Mount of Olives
                           The next morning he went again to the temple                            courts
                           Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of                            adultery
                           Demanded he judge the case, render a decision
                           Jesus wrote in the sand, said the one without sin                            could throw the first stone
                           One by one, they all left
                           Jesus told the woman to go and sin no more

8:12-30            Teaching in the temple
                          Jesus declared: “I am the light of the world…”
                          Jews challenged his witness of himself
                          Jesus retorted that both he and his Father were                           witnesses
                          Jesus repeated four times that he was sent by
                          his Father

8:31-47            Teachings to believers
                          “You will know the truth, and the truth will make
                          you free.”
                          People reminded him they were descendants
                          of Abraham – and free
                          Jesus said they were slaves to sin; they’d even                           tried to kill him
                          If they truly belonged to God, they would listen to                           Jesus

8:48-59            Non-believers accused him again of
                          demon-possession
                          “If you keep my word, you will never see death.”
                         That infuriated them even more
                          Accused him of thinking he was greater than                           Abraham, though he was less than 50 years old
                          Jesus said: “Before Abraham was born, I am!”
                          Jews tried to stone him, but he slipped away

     
9:1-41   Healing of man born blind
     
   

9:1-12                Disciples inquired regarding the reason for his                             blindness
                            Who had sinned -- his parents or the man
                            himself?
                            Jesus said neither sinned, only that God’s works                             might be seen
                            Jesus healed the man’s blindness
                            Neighbors had a hard time believing he was
                            the same person

9:13-41              Neighbors took him to the Pharisees
                            Healing had happened on Sabbath
                            Pharisees said Jesus was not from God if he
                            did not keep Sabbath
                            Man thought Jesus was a prophet
                            Jews thought man might have been a fraud
                            His parents vouched for him
                            Man defended Jesus
                            Jesus met the man later; man followed him
                            Jesus accused the Pharisees of blindness

     
10:1-21  

Teachings on the Good Shepherd
Shepherd cares for his sheep, enters by the gate
Each sheep knows the name of his own shepherd
They will follow him but not a stranger
Jesus said: “I am the gate for the sheep.”  “I am the good shepherd.”
He knows his sheep and his sheep know him  
Just as he knows the Father and the Father knows him
Jesus will lay down his life for his sheep
People were divided in their response

     
10:22-42  

The debate in Solomon’s Colonnade
People asked “Are you the Christ?”
Additional metaphor using sheep
Jews tried to stone him
Jesus claimed his unbreakable connection with the Father
Jews tried to stone him again, but he escaped their grasp

     
11:1-44   Story of Lazarus
     
   

11:1-16              Announcement of Lazarus’ illness
                            Jesus wanted to return to Judea
                            Disciples were worried that the Jews might try to
                            kill him again
                            Jesus said he would go to “wake Lazarus”
                            Disciples did not understand, but offered to go
                            with him

11:17-37            Conversations with Martha and Mary (sisters of                             Lazarus)
                            When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in tomb
                            for four days
                            Martha rushed out to say, “Lord if you had been                             here, he would not have died.  But even now God                             will do what you ask.”
                            Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the
                            life.”
                            Martha knew the traditional thinking, added, “You                             are the Christ.”
                            She called Mary who said, “Lord, if you had been                             here, he would not have died.”  Then Mary wept
                            Jesus asked to be taken to the tomb, and then                             Jesus wept

11:35-44           Raising of Lazarus
                            Despite Martha’s concerns, Jesus had the stone                             removed
                            Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave; he did

     
11:45-57  

The final straw
Many Jews who had come to mourn with the sisters saw the event
They told the Pharisees, who called a meeting of the Sanhedrin
High priest determined that one should die so that others may live
(Jesus was becoming too hot, politically speaking.  They were afraid that soon the people would revolt against the Romans.)
Afterward Jesus kept to himself – until the time of Passover.

     
12:1-50   The final days in Jerusalem
     
   

12:1-11              Dinner at Bethany at the home of Mary, Martha,
                            and Lazarus
                            Martha served, Mary anointed his feet with
                            perfume
                            Judas (one of the disciples) thought it was a
                            waste of good perfume
                            It should have been sold, and the proceeds given
                            to the poor
                            Jesus said the perfume was for the day of his
                            burial
                            Crowd was moving in and out; chief priest made                             plans to kill Lazarus, too

12:12-19            Entry into Jerusalem
                            Crowd found branches and went out to meet him
                            “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the
                            Lord”
                            Jesus rode in on a young donkey
                            Disciples didn’t get the significance of all this
                            until after resurrection
                            People were still talking about the raising of                             Lazarus
                            Pharisees were concerned things were getting
                            way out of hand

12:20-36            Greeks came to see Jesus
                            Jesus said his “hour was at hand”
                            Spoke enigmatically before crowd; voice from                             heaven spoke about glorifying the name of the                             Father
                            Jesus said they would have “light” only a little
                            while longer

12:37-50            Despite all Jesus’ mighty works, some still
                            refused to believe
                            This fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah had said                             (52:13-53:12)
                            Some of the leaders believed secretly
                            Jesus again reiterated he was sent by the Father,                             only did as he was told

     
III – 13:1-17:26 -- Private Discourses
     
13:1-20  

Washing of the disciples’ feet
After the evening meal, Jesus got up, began to wash the disciples’ feet
Jesus knew that all power had been given to him
Peter balked at the idea, saying he would never allow Jesus to wash feet
Jesus said if Peter didn’t get washed, he’d have no part with Jesus
Afterwards Jesus asked if they understood the significance of it all
“No servant is greater than his master” Do this and be blessed

     
13:21-30  

Prediction of Judas’ betrayal   
Disciples were at a loss as to what he meant
Disciple whom Jesus loved asked who it was
Jesus identified Judas, told him to do quickly what he needed to do
Disciples didn’t understand what was happening

     
13:31-16:33   The last Discourse
     
   

13:31-14:31      A series of questions
                            Jesus gave them a new commandment
                            “Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you                             must love each other”
                            Peter asked him where he was going
                            Jesus said they could not follow; Peter promised
                            to lay down his life
                            Jesus predicted Peter’s rejection
                            Jesus would go on ahead to prepare a place for                             them
                            Question of Thomas: Since they didn’t know
                            where he was going, how could they follow
                            Jesus declared: “I am the way and the truth and
                            the life.”
                            Philip’s request:  Show us the Father and that will                             be enough
                            Jesus said: “If you have seen me, you have seen                             the Father.”
                            Jesus promised to send a “Comforter” (Paraclete)                             “the Spirit of Truth”
                            Judas asked why Jesus didn’t want to show                             himself to the world
                            If anyone loves Jesus, he will obey his commands
                            This would be the outgrowth of loving Jesus
                            Jesus again promised the Comforter
                            Comforter will “teach them all things”

15:1-27              Teachings about relationships

                            15:1-11         Relation of Jesus to disciples
                                                   Metaphor of vine and gardener
                                                   Jesus is the vine; disciples are the                                                    branches
                                                   If they remain in Jesus, they would                                                    bear much fruit

                            15:12-17      Relation of disciples to each other
                                                   Everything Jesus has known from
                                                   the Father he told them
                                                   His command:  Love one another

                            15:18-27      Relation of disciples to the world  
                                                   The world hated Jesus before it
                                                   hated them  

16:1-33              Discussion of revelation Jesus was about to give
                            to disciples

                            16:1-4           Warning to the disciples that they                                                    would be persecuted

                            16:5-15         Jesus needed to leave so
                                                   Comforter could come

                            16:16-33       Jesus revealed that he would go
                                                   “away for a while”
                                                   Used metaphor of woman giving
                                                   birth – pain, then joy
                                                   Disciples didn’t understand
                                                   The day would come when Jesus                                                    would use plain talk, then they
                                                   would know
                                                   The Spirit of Truth would guide them                                                    into all truth

     
17:1-26  

Jesus’ prayer for the disciples
Acknowledged that his “time has come”
Jesus prayed that his Father would glorify him that he may glorify the Father
Prayed for the disciples
Prayed that the Father would be with them and would protect them
Jesus also prayed for future believers
Prayed that they would understand that the Father had sent Jesus

     
IV – 18:1-20:31 -- Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection
     
18:1-11  

Jesus’ arrest
Judas arrived with contingency of guards
Jesus identified himself (Judas does not kiss Jesus)
Then Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant
Jesus told him to put away his sword (no healing of ear)

     
18:12-14   Jesus before Annas, the High Priest
     
18:15-18; 25-27  

Interlude of Peter’s denial
Setting was the courtyard of the high priest
Peter denied Jesus three times, cock crowed  (Peter does not weep)        

     
18:19-24  

Annas questioned Jesus about his teachings
Jesus replied that he had always spoken openly –synagogues, temple
An official struck him for speaking disrespectfully to High Priest
Annas sent him to Caiaphas

     
18:28-19:16  

Trial before Pilate
Pilate was reluctant to take the case, thought it was a religious matter
Jews said they didn’t have the right to execute anyone
Pilate asked Jesus if he was “king of the Jews”
Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world
He came into the world to testify to the truth
Pilate asked, “What is truth?”
Pilate told Jews he found no basis for a charge against Jesus
Offered to release one prisoner in honor of Passover
Crowd chose Barabbas
Pilate had Jesus flogged; soldiers placed crown of thorns on his head
Crowd yelled all the more: “Crucify him”
Crowd said Jesus had said he was the Son of God
Pilate was fearful, asked Jesus, “where do you come from?”
Jesus was silent
Pilate tried other means to set him free but to no avail
Finally he turned Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified

     
19:17-27  

The crucifixion
Jesus carried his own cross, crucified him between two others
Pilate prepared a notice and fastened it to the cross
“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”
Jews protested the sign, Pilate refused to change it
Soldiers divided his clothes among them, cast lots for his undergarment
Near the cross stood his mother, other women
Jesus entrusted his mother into the care of the “disciple whom he loved”

     
19:28-37  

Jesus’ death
Jesus said he was thirsty
Soldiers offered him wine vinegar
Jesus received the drink, said “It is finished” and gave up his spirit
Jews wanted bodies taken down, asked Pilate to have their legs broken
Jesus’ legs were not broken because he had already died
One of the soldiers pierced his side with a sword
Blood and water flowed out
Soldier testified to this; all happened in fulfillment of scripture

     
19:38-42  

The burial of Jesus
Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate, asked for Jesus’ body
He and Nicodemus took body, wrapped it in spices, and buried it
Tomb was in a garden and had never been used

     
20:1-29   Resurrection Appearances
     
   

20:1-9                Witness of Mary, Peter and John
                            Mary went first, saw the open tomb, ran to Peter
                            and “the other disciple”
                            They raced to the tomb, “the other disciple” beat                             Peter
                            They saw the empty tomb, and “believed”
                            But they did not yet understand about the                             Resurrection

20:10-18           Appearance to Mary
                            Disciples went back home; Mary stayed behind                             weeping
                            She saw two angels in the tomb
                            They asked why she was crying
                            She didn’t know where Jesus’ body had been
                            taken
                            Jesus then appeared to her, but she thought it
                            was the gardener
                            When Jesus called her by name, she knew him
                            Jesus told her not to “hold on to him,” but to go
                            tell the others
                            Mary ran to tell them all Jesus had said to her

20:19-23           Appearance to the disciples
                            When they were behind locked doors, Jesus                             appeared in their midst
                            Jesus gave greeting, “Peace be with you!”
                            Jesus breathed on them, saying, “Receive the
                            Holy Spirit”

20:24-29           Thomas’ confession of Jesus
                            Thomas had not been present when Jesus                             appeared to the others
                            He refused to believe until he could see Jesus for                             himself
                            A week later, Jesus appeared to them, saying,                             “Peace be with you!”
                            Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!”
                             Jesus: “Blessed are those who have not seen
                            but believe”

     
20:30-31  

Summary statement
All is written so others might believe and have life in Jesus’ name

     

V – 24:1-25 -- Epilogue

     
21:1-14  

Jesus’ early morning breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias
Several of the disciples had been fishing all night, but had caught nothing
Jesus called out to them from the shore, but they did not recognize him
He told them to throw their nets on the right side, haul was abundant
Then “the disciple whom Jesus loved” recognized him
Jesus told them to bring in some of the fish they had just caught
They breakfasted together

     
21:15-23  

Special instruction for Peter
Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him
Each time Peter answered, “Yes”
Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep”
By the third time Peter was very hurt; Jesus said it was because his career would be difficult
Peter asked about John; Jesus said it was none of his concern

     
21:24-25  

Writer of Gospel acknowledges content of Jesus’ teachings and works
“We know that his testimony is true.”

     
 

The gospel writer also acknowledged that this was only a selected portion of what Jesus had done and said.  If he had tried to write it all, the books “would have filled the world.”  Like Matthew and Luke, the Gospel of John ends with an eye towards the future.  Many of Jesus’ teachings relate to the future faith community and the evangelizing work that awaited the disciples.  Jesus knew the trials that lay ahead of them, the persecutions and the world’s hatred.  Jesus had tried to prepare his disciples for life after he had been glorified.  The remainder of the New Testament speaks to the success and trials of their work.  Next month, we will continue our exploration of the New Testament with the Book of Romans

   
 

Bibliography

1Keck, Leander, ed. New Interpreter’s Bible, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. Vol. 9.      1995. p495.

Barclay, William.  “John.”  Daily Study Bible.  Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press.      1975.

Beasley-Murray, George.  “John.”  Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville, TN:       Thomas Nelson Publishers.  1999.

Carson, DA.  “The Gospel According to John.”  The Pillar New Testament       Commentary.  Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans. 1991.

Gaebelein, Frank.  “John.”  Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI:       Zondervan Publishing.  1985.

Kostenberger, Andreas.  “John.”  Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New      Testament.  Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. 2004.

Morris, Leon.  “The Gospel According to John.”  The New International      Commentary on the New Testament.  Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans.
     1971.

   
 
   
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