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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. |
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| I – 1:1-18 – The Prologue |
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| 1:1-5 |
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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 |
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| 1:6-8 |
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Introduction of John the Baptist
John will testify concerning “the Word” |
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| 1:9-13 |
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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 |
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| 1:14-18 |
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The Incarnation of the Word
The Word was made flesh
Grace and truth come through him
The Son has made God known |
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| II -- 1:19-12:50 -- Jesus’ Public Ministry |
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| 1:19-34 |
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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 |
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| 1:35-51 |
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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) |
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| 2:1-11 |
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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 |
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| 2:12-22 |
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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) |
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| 2:23-3:15 |
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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” |
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| 3:16-21 |
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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 |
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| 3:22-36 |
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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 |
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| 4:1-38 |
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The Samaritan woman at the well |
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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 |
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| 4:39-42 |
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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 |
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| 4:43-54 |
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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 |
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| 5:1-47 |
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The beginning of controversy |
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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 |
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| 6:1-8:59 |
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Eruption of conflict |
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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 |
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| 9:1-41 |
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Healing of man born blind |
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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 |
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| 10:1-21 |
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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 |
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| 10:22-42 |
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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 |
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| 11:1-44 |
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Story of Lazarus |
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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 |
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| 11:45-57 |
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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. |
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| 12:1-50 |
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The final days in Jerusalem |
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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 |
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| III – 13:1-17:26 -- Private Discourses |
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| 13:1-20 |
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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 |
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| 13:21-30 |
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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 |
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| 13:31-16:33 |
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The last Discourse |
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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 |
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| 17:1-26 |
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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 |
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| IV – 18:1-20:31 -- Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection |
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| 18:1-11 |
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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) |
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| 18:12-14 |
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Jesus before Annas, the High Priest |
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| 18:15-18; 25-27 |
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Interlude of Peter’s denial
Setting was the courtyard of the high priest
Peter denied Jesus three times, cock crowed (Peter does not weep) |
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| 18:19-24 |
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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 |
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| 18:28-19:16 |
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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 |
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| 19:17-27 |
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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” |
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| 19:28-37 |
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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 |
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| 19:38-42 |
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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 |
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| 20:1-29 |
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Resurrection Appearances |
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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” |
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| 20:30-31 |
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Summary statement
All is written so others might believe and have life in Jesus’ name |
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V – 24:1-25 -- Epilogue |
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| 21:1-14 |
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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 |
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| 21:15-23 |
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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 |
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| 21:24-25 |
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Writer of Gospel acknowledges content of Jesus’ teachings and works
“We know that his testimony is true.” |
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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
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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.
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