Gospel of John – Barton Warren Johnson
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John by Barton Warren Johnson Contents Title Page 1 Preface 2 Introduction. 4 The Authorship. 5 The Author's Life. 9 The Place and Date. 12 Character of the Gospel. 13 The Analysis of John. 17 Chapter I. 20 Preliminary Note. 21 The Word Made Flesh. 23 Practical Observations. 28 The Witness of John. 29 Christ's Ministry Begins. 32 The First Disciples. 35 Practical Observations. 39 Note on “the Son of Man.” 40 Chapter II. 41 The First Miracle. 42 Practical Observations. 45 The Brethren of the Lord. 46 The Cleansing of the Temple. 48 Practical Observations. 51 Chapter III. 52 Christ and Nicodemus. 53 Practical Observations. 59 ii John at Ænon. 60 Practical Observations. 63 Chapter IV. 64 Jesus at the Well. 65 Practical Observations. 72 Sowing and Reaping. 74 Practical Observations. 78 The Nobleman's Son. 79 Practical Observations. 83 Chapter V. 84 Jesus at Bethesda. 85 Practical Observations. 91 The Glory of the Son. 92 Practical Observations. 95 Chapter VI. 96 The History of a Year. 97 The Five Thousand Fed. 99 Practical Observations. 104 Jesus the Bread of Life. 105 Practical Observations. 109 Feeding Upon Christ. 110 Practical Observations. 115 Note on the Jewish Synagogue. 116 Chapter VII. 118 The Feast of Tabernacles. 119 Jesus in the Temple. 124 Jesus the Christ. 129 Practical Observations. 132 Note on Demons. 133 Chapter VIII. 135 The Adulterous Woman. 136 Practical Observations. 140 iii The Light of the World. 141 Jesus and Abraham. 146 Practical Observations. 150 Chapter IX. 151 Jesus and the Blind Man. 152 Practical Observations. 159 Chapter X. 160 The Good Shepherd. 161 Practical Observations. 167 End of Three Months' Ministry in Jerusalem. 168 Practical Observations. 174 Chapter XI. 175 The Resurrection of Lazarus. 176 Practical Observations. 184 The Sanhedrim in Session. 185 Chapter XII. 188 Anointed for Burial. 190 Practical Observations. 195 Gentiles Seeking Christ. 196 Practical Observations. 201 The Cause of Unbelief. 202 Chapter XIII. 205 The Last Supper. 206 Practical Observations. 213 When Christ Ate the Passover. 214 Judas Exposed. 216 The Son of Man Glorified. 219 Practical Observations. 222 Chapter XIV. 223 The House of Many Mansions. 224 Practical Observations. 228 The Advocate Promised. 229 iv Practical Observations. 235 Chapter XV. 236 The True Vine. 237 Practical Observations. 242 The Church and the World. 243 Chapter XVI. 248 The Holy Spirit and the World. 249 Practical Observations. 257 The Holy Spirit. 258 Chapter XVII. 261 The Lord's Prayer. 262 Practical Observations. 267 The Lord's Prayer for Unity. 268 Chapter XVIII. 271 The Betrayal. 272 Practical Observations. 276 The Trial Before the High Priest. 277 Practical Observations. 281 Christ Before Pilate. 282 Practical Observations. 287 Chapter XIX. 288 Christ Crucified. 289 Practical Observations. 295 Christ Crucified and Buried. 296 Practical Observations. 303 Chapter XX. 305 The Resurrection. 306 Proofs of the Resurrection. 310 Practical Observations. 311 The Lord Seen by the Apostles. 312 Chapter XXI. 317 In Galilee. 318 v Tarry Till I Come. 324 Appendix. 327 Dr. Philip Schaff on the Resurrection. 328 Some Peculiarities of John's Gospel. 334 Commentaries and Standards on the Birth of Water and Spirit. 336 Chronological Table of the Life of Christ [from Andrews.] 338 Indexes 347 Index of Scripture References 348 Greek Words and Phrases 354 Latin Words and Phrases 356 Index of Pages of the Print Edition 357 vi Title Page Title Page The New Testament Commentary Volume III John A Commentary for the People Based on both versions. Author of “A Vision of the Ages,” “Christian Lesson Commentary,” etc. Christian Board of Publication St. Louis 3, Missouri COPYRIGHTED, 1886, BY CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY [This text is in the public domain.] To Sarah A. Johnson, the faithful companion of a long pilgrimage, whose constant watchcare has greatly multiplied the labors of a not strong constitution, this volume is affectionately inscribed by the author. 1 Preface Preface Preface I have had in view, in writing this Commentary on John, the wants of the ordinary reader, rather than critics, preachers and theologians, and have therefore aimed to write in plain and simple language, avoiding technical phrases and Greek words which would only be intelligible to the learned. While I have endeavored to avail myself of the studies of the great Biblical scholars I have sought to present in a popular form the results of their studies, rather than their methods. As it has been the aim of my life to speak or write for the benefit of the common people, so in this volume I have constantly had before my mind that class to whom the Great Teacher so adapted his instruction that “they heard him gladly.” I have felt the more need of simple forms of speech, copious illustration and application, in that the Fourth Gospel itself, on account of its lofty themes, rises to an elevation far above the ordinary channels of human thought, and is less likely to be understood by the common reader than the more matter of fact treatises that precede it in the New Testament. It is fitting that I should acknowledge my indebtedness to those of whose studies I have freely availed myself. With most of the commentaries of note in the English language at hand for consultation, I have industriously compared them, often adopting their views, and even when I did not, frequently receiving suggestions that have aided me to a satisfactory conclusion. Where I have quoted an author I have given proper credit, but I cannot refrain from expressing my especial obligation to the critical Greek Testament of Dean Alford. I have found no other author whose calm and impartial temper and sound judgment were so generally trustworthy. I also place a high value upon the work of Canon Westcott. I have thought it would help to an understanding of the text to give the Revision and the Common Version, side by side. The former, while not likely to become the “Accepted Version” until it has undergone further revision, is probably the most accurate translation yet made, and often clears up obscure passages. While it is given, and used in the comment, it is not made the basis for the reason that it is not yet the Accepted Version of the English speaking world. On the difficult question of the Chronology of the ministry of our Lord I have, in the main, followed Andrews, from whose very careful arrangement, a departure is not lightly to be made, though in one or two instances I have thought there were sufficient reasons for a deviation. It will be seen that John, while passing many details, follows the natural order of events and, in order that each may be seen and studied in its proper connection, I have aimed to outline, in their place, the incidents of our Savior's history which are to be supplied from the other Evangelists. 5 Whatever imperfections of style the reader may discover are to be ascribed, in part, to the fact that this work has been written at intervals snatched from a very busy life. While the study of the writings of John has been a pursuit and joy for years, the writer feels that 2 Preface the quiet and studious repose of the library would have been more favorable to satisfactory arrangement of the results than the hurry of an editorial career. Still he trusts that his labors may aid some of his fellow mortals to a fuller knowledge of Him whom to have seen and known is to have seen the Father. He commits this study of the last and greatest of the Gospels to the public with the prayer that it may be blessed as a means of leading men to “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, they might have life through his name.” 6 11 3 Introduction. Introduction. Introduction. 4 The Authorship. The Authorship. The Authorship. The Fourth Gospel has in all ages been ascribed by the Church to John, the son of Zebedee, an apostle of Jesus Christ. Within less than an hundred years of the date of his death Christian writers living in different portions of the world, whose writings are still extant, indicate to us that this was the universal belief of the Church. The testimony to the authorship is stronger than can be furnished in behalf of almost any uninspired writing of antiquity, and it would hardly be worth while to allude to the question had not a class of modern critics arisen who decide the question of the authorship of a portion of Scripture by the agreement or non-agreement of its teachings with their own views. Since the Fourth Gospel is more emphatic in affirming the pre-existence and divine majesty of Jesus Christ than the other three, a school of recent rationalistic critics has held that it is not the work of an apostle. I will very briefly show the reasons why its authorship must be conceded to John. 1. It is certain that it was written by a Jew. The familiarity which is constantly shown with Jewish locations proves that the author must have been a resident of Palestine. Places are named that are not spoken of elsewhere in the Old or New Testament, and of the existence of which we would have had no knowledge were it not for the fact that they are mentioned in this Gospel. Some of these, whose sites were unknown for ages, have been brought to light by recent exploration. “Ænon near to Salim” is an example. Not only does the author exhibit the most intimate knowledge of places, but of Jewish rites, customs, prejudices and feelings.