The
Gospel of John -
Introduction 10/3/2011
Introduction. (From Barnes New Testament notes)
If anyone wishes to learn the true doctrine respecting the Messiah, the Son of God, expressed in simple language, but with most sublime conceptions; to learn the
true nature and character of God, and the way of approach to his mercy-seat; to see the true nature of Christian piety, or the source and character of religious consolation; to have perpetually before him the purest model of character the world has seen, and to contemplate the purest precepts that have ever been delivered to man, he cannot better do it than by a prayerful study of the Gospel by John.
A SHORT COMPARISON OF THE FOUR GOSPELS
Both Matthew and Luke speak of Jesus’ birth and say a little about his early life.
Mark and John both begin their account with Jesus’ baptism at age 30.
John is unique in the sense that the conversations of Jesus are more complete; the Deity of Christ is more fully explained and illustrated. Several events related in John are not found in the other three gospels, such as the miracle at Cana, the first cleansing of the temple, Nicodemus’ visit with the Lord, or Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. The resurrection of Lazarus is also unique to the gospel of John.
The obvious human author is John and we have many things to say about him, but before we do, there is another John to consider. In chapter 1 verse 6. a second John is mentioned: the author says, There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John the Baptizer. Both Johns figure into the Purpose of this book
PURPOSE: John 20:31 But these are written,
1.that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;
2.and that believing ye might have life through his name.
The importance of believing (or the importance of Faith) is emphasized by John the apostle, John the Baptist and by Jesus, Himself.
1. John the Baptizer: 1:7 This one came as a witness, to bear witness concerning the Light, so that all might believe
2. John the Apostle: John 19:35 And he who saw bore record, and his record is true. And he knows that he speaks true,
so that you might believe
John 20:31 But these are written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life in His name.
The author quotes Jesus emphasizing the same point:
3. Jesus: John 14:29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you might believe.
While Mark's Gospel has been described as showing Jesus as having come to give his life and present himself as a servant ... and in Mark's gospel Jesus is quoted
as saying, “Follow me and I will make you into a fisher of men”, the gospel of John seems to be more of a document to urge faith in Christ. Belief (faith) seems to be
the whole point. “Through believing we have life through His name.”
The author of Hebrews is so bold as to say “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. (Heb 11:6)
The gospel of John was written in the 80's or 90's. Pentecost occurred around 33 AD. For 50 years or so, the church had been expanding and going into
the entire world. In addition to having the Old Testament on which to base their preaching, they could base it on stories related from the eye-witnesses and from writings which later came to be recognized as scripture. Their preaching at times would be based on direct words from God. (1 Cor 13 ) but they would not be able to use the gospel of John in their teaching and preaching until near the turn of the first century.
So here, at this time in history God causes John to write this book with a simple but essential emphasis: Listen to what we have to say. Believe it! In these words is life, eternal life!
Getting to Know the Human Author: John, the Apostle.
Family background.
His Father: Zebedee. Owner/operator of a fishing business. Several hired employees. (Mark 1:20)
His Mother: Salome: She is listed in several scripture passages as one of the group of women who had an ongoing ministry of meeting Jesus’ temporal needs. (Matthew 27:55. Mark 15:45)
His brother: James, the apostle was older than John. The two of them were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus. (Mark 3:17)
Special mention:
• John became responsible for Jesus’ mother after the crucifixion of Jesus. (Jn 19:26,27)
• John was acquainted with the High Priest (Jn 18:15)
• John was probably the youngest of the apostles and lived to be the greatest age.
•It is said that he is the only one of the apostles who died of natural causes.
•John was one of the ‘inner circle’ of Jesus’ apostles. (Mk5:37, Lu 8:51, Mt 17:1, Mk 9:2, Mt 26:36-45, Mk 14:32-42, Mt 24:12 etc.)
•John had the special privilege of being called ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ (Jn 13:23)
• John and Peter were the ones chosen to go to Samaria sometime after Pentecost, to check out what was happening (spiritually) to the Samaritans. (Acts 8:14-25)
•John spent most of his years in Ephesus. He probably stayed in Jerusalem area for about 15 years, until the death of Mary and then moved to Ephesus.
•In his later years he was arrested and banished on the Isle of Patmos. God used this time to give John the ‘Revelation of Jesus Christ’.
•History says he returned to Ephesus after serving his term of banishment.
•History also says there was an attempt to kill him by boiling him in oil, but that he was released untouched and unharmed.
• BARNES NEW TESTAMENT NOTES: It is also said, and of this there can be no doubt, that during his latter years he was not able to make a long discourse. He was carried to the church, and was accustomed to say nothing but this, "Little children, love one another." At length his disciples asked him why he always dwelt upon the same thing. He replied, "Because it is the Lord’s command; and if this be done, it is sufficient."
We have four gospels. Three of them have been called ‘synoptic’ (presenting a summary of the principal part, a general view)
John did not present a synopsis. In addition to what we have already noted, his gospel differs mainly in this sense:
The other three (Matthew, Mark and Luke) made most of their focus recording the miracles of Jesus and giving evidence of His divine mission.
John tells us more who and what Jesus was (is) and what was his particular doctrine.
His aim:
1.was to show that Jesus was the Messiah
2.and to show from the words of Jesus, Himself, what the Messiah was. John records in far greater detail what Jesus said about Himself.
John (like all of the other writers) understood that BELIEF was essential for eternal life.
By writing this gospel in the manner in which he did, he has made the Messiah ‘easy’ to believe in.
Gospel of John -
Introduction 10/3/2011
Introduction. (From Barnes New Testament notes)
If anyone wishes to learn the true doctrine respecting the Messiah, the Son of God, expressed in simple language, but with most sublime conceptions; to learn the
true nature and character of God, and the way of approach to his mercy-seat; to see the true nature of Christian piety, or the source and character of religious consolation; to have perpetually before him the purest model of character the world has seen, and to contemplate the purest precepts that have ever been delivered to man, he cannot better do it than by a prayerful study of the Gospel by John.
A SHORT COMPARISON OF THE FOUR GOSPELS
Both Matthew and Luke speak of Jesus’ birth and say a little about his early life.
Mark and John both begin their account with Jesus’ baptism at age 30.
John is unique in the sense that the conversations of Jesus are more complete; the Deity of Christ is more fully explained and illustrated. Several events related in John are not found in the other three gospels, such as the miracle at Cana, the first cleansing of the temple, Nicodemus’ visit with the Lord, or Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. The resurrection of Lazarus is also unique to the gospel of John.
The obvious human author is John and we have many things to say about him, but before we do, there is another John to consider. In chapter 1 verse 6. a second John is mentioned: the author says, There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John the Baptizer. Both Johns figure into the Purpose of this book
PURPOSE: John 20:31 But these are written,
1.that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;
2.and that believing ye might have life through his name.
The importance of believing (or the importance of Faith) is emphasized by John the apostle, John the Baptist and by Jesus, Himself.
1. John the Baptizer: 1:7 This one came as a witness, to bear witness concerning the Light, so that all might believe
2. John the Apostle: John 19:35 And he who saw bore record, and his record is true. And he knows that he speaks true,
so that you might believe
John 20:31 But these are written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life in His name.
The author quotes Jesus emphasizing the same point:
3. Jesus: John 14:29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you might believe.
While Mark's Gospel has been described as showing Jesus as having come to give his life and present himself as a servant ... and in Mark's gospel Jesus is quoted
as saying, “Follow me and I will make you into a fisher of men”, the gospel of John seems to be more of a document to urge faith in Christ. Belief (faith) seems to be
the whole point. “Through believing we have life through His name.”
The author of Hebrews is so bold as to say “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. (Heb 11:6)
The gospel of John was written in the 80's or 90's. Pentecost occurred around 33 AD. For 50 years or so, the church had been expanding and going into
the entire world. In addition to having the Old Testament on which to base their preaching, they could base it on stories related from the eye-witnesses and from writings which later came to be recognized as scripture. Their preaching at times would be based on direct words from God. (1 Cor 13 ) but they would not be able to use the gospel of John in their teaching and preaching until near the turn of the first century.
So here, at this time in history God causes John to write this book with a simple but essential emphasis: Listen to what we have to say. Believe it! In these words is life, eternal life!
Getting to Know the Human Author: John, the Apostle.
Family background.
His Father: Zebedee. Owner/operator of a fishing business. Several hired employees. (Mark 1:20)
His Mother: Salome: She is listed in several scripture passages as one of the group of women who had an ongoing ministry of meeting Jesus’ temporal needs. (Matthew 27:55. Mark 15:45)
His brother: James, the apostle was older than John. The two of them were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus. (Mark 3:17)
Special mention:
• John became responsible for Jesus’ mother after the crucifixion of Jesus. (Jn 19:26,27)
• John was acquainted with the High Priest (Jn 18:15)
• John was probably the youngest of the apostles and lived to be the greatest age.
•It is said that he is the only one of the apostles who died of natural causes.
•John was one of the ‘inner circle’ of Jesus’ apostles. (Mk5:37, Lu 8:51, Mt 17:1, Mk 9:2, Mt 26:36-45, Mk 14:32-42, Mt 24:12 etc.)
•John had the special privilege of being called ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ (Jn 13:23)
• John and Peter were the ones chosen to go to Samaria sometime after Pentecost, to check out what was happening (spiritually) to the Samaritans. (Acts 8:14-25)
•John spent most of his years in Ephesus. He probably stayed in Jerusalem area for about 15 years, until the death of Mary and then moved to Ephesus.
•In his later years he was arrested and banished on the Isle of Patmos. God used this time to give John the ‘Revelation of Jesus Christ’.
•History says he returned to Ephesus after serving his term of banishment.
•History also says there was an attempt to kill him by boiling him in oil, but that he was released untouched and unharmed.
• BARNES NEW TESTAMENT NOTES: It is also said, and of this there can be no doubt, that during his latter years he was not able to make a long discourse. He was carried to the church, and was accustomed to say nothing but this, "Little children, love one another." At length his disciples asked him why he always dwelt upon the same thing. He replied, "Because it is the Lord’s command; and if this be done, it is sufficient."
We have four gospels. Three of them have been called ‘synoptic’ (presenting a summary of the principal part, a general view)
John did not present a synopsis. In addition to what we have already noted, his gospel differs mainly in this sense:
The other three (Matthew, Mark and Luke) made most of their focus recording the miracles of Jesus and giving evidence of His divine mission.
John tells us more who and what Jesus was (is) and what was his particular doctrine.
His aim:
1.was to show that Jesus was the Messiah
2.and to show from the words of Jesus, Himself, what the Messiah was. John records in far greater detail what Jesus said about Himself.
John (like all of the other writers) understood that BELIEF was essential for eternal life.
By writing this gospel in the manner in which he did, he has made the Messiah ‘easy’ to believe in.