Advanced Commentary
Texts -- John 1:1-14 (NET)
Pericope
NET
- Joh 1:1-18 -- The Prologue to the Gospel
Bible Dictionary
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JOHN, GOSPEL OF
[ebd] The genuineness of this Gospel, i.e., the fact that the apostle John was its author, is beyond all reasonable doubt. In recent times, from about 1820, many attempts have been made to impugn its genuineness, but without succe...
[isbe] JOHN, GOSPEL OF - || I. INTRODUCTORY 1. Scope of Gospel 2. State of Opinion as to Date of Appearance, etc. II. EXTERNAL EVIDENCE fOR THE FOURTH GOSPEL 1. At the End of 2nd Century 2. Irenaeus--Theophilus 3. Middle of 2nd Cen...
[smith] This Gospel was probably written at Ephesus about A.D. 78. (Canon Cook places it toward the close of John?s life, A.D. 90-100. --ED.) The Gospel was obviously addressed primarily to Christians, not to heathen. There can be li...
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Word, The
[ebd] (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time...
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SACRIFICE, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, 1
[isbe] SACRIFICE, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, 1 - IN THE NEW TESTAMENT I. TERMS OF SACRIFICE EPITOMIZED II. ATTITUDE OF JESUS AND NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS TO THE OLD TESTAMENT SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM 1. Jesus' Attitude 2. Paul's Attitude 3. Atti...
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PROLOGUE
[isbe] PROLOGUE - pro'-log, prol'-og (prologos, "foreword," "preface," "introduction"): The word occurs in the preface to Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), and is commonly applied to Jn 1:1-18. See ECCLESIASTICUS; JOHN, GOSPEL OF.
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PHILOSOPHY
[isbe] PHILOSOPHY - fi-los'-o-fi (philosophia): 1. Definition and Scope (1) Intuitive Philosophy Is Universal (2) Speculative Philosophy Belongs Mainly to Western Thought 2. Greek Philosophy 3. Philosophy in Old Testament and Judai...
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Son of God
[ebd] The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen. 6:2, 4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stan...
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Jesus, The Christ
[nave] JESUS, THE CHRIST. Index of Sub-topics History of; Miscellaneous Facts Concerning; Unclassified Scriptures Relating to; Ascension of; Atonement by; Attributes of; Compassion of; Confessing; Creator; Death of; Design of His...
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Light
[ebd] the offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). "All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews und...
[isbe] LIGHT - lit ('or, ma'or; phos; many other words): 1. Origin of Light 2. A Comprehensive Term (1) Natural Light (2) Artificial Light (3) Miraculous Light (4) Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light 3. An Attribute of Holiness (1) God ...
[nave] LIGHT Created, Gen. 1:3-5; Psa. 74:16; Isa. 45:7; 2 Cor. 4:6. Miraculous, Matt. 17:2; Acts 9:3. Figurative and Symbolical 1 Kin. 11:36; Psa. 27:1; Psa. 119:105,130; Prov. 6:23; Eccl. 2:13; Isa. 8:20; Isa. 49:6; Isa. 58:8;...
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OSTRACA
[isbe] OSTRACA - os'-tra-ka: The word ostracon ("potsherd," Hebrew cheres) occurs in Job 2:8 (Septuagint), kai elaben ostrakon, "and he took him a potsherd." Earthen vessels were in universal use in antiquity (they are twice mentio...
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Logos
[isbe] LOGOS - log'-os (logos): I. GREEK SPECULATION 1. Heraclitus 2. Anaxagoras 3. Plato 4. Aristotle 5. Stoics II. HEBREW ANTICIPATION OF DOCTRINE 1. Word as Revelation of God 2. Suggestions of Personal Distinctions in Deity 3. T...
[nave] LOGOS Jesus, the Word John 1:1, 14; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13
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JOHANNINE THEOLOGY, 1
[isbe] JOHANNINE THEOLOGY, 1 - jo-han'-in,-in: I. THE ANTECEDENTS 1. Personality of Writer 2. Earlier New Testament Writings 3. Christian Experience and Teaching of History 4. Widening Contact with Gentile World 5. The Odes of Solo...
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Wisdom
[nave] WISDOM Of Joseph, Gen. 41:16, 25-39; Acts 7:10. Of Moses, Acts 7:22. Of Bezaleel, Ex. 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 36:1. Of Aholiab, Ex. 31:6; 35:34, 35; 36:1; of other skilled artisans, Ex. 36:2; of women, Ex. 35:26. Of Hiram, 1 K...
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PROVIDENCE, 1
[isbe] PROVIDENCE, 1 - prov'-i-dens: I. PROVIDENCE DEFINED II. DIFFERENT SPHERES OF PROVIDENTIAL ACTIVITY DISTINGUISHED III. BIBLICAL PRESENTATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF PROVIDENCE 1. Divine Providence in the Old Testament Scriptures (...
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BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS
[isbe] BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS - || I. THE PERIOD IN GENERAL II. A GLANCE ALTES TESTAMENT CONTEMPORANEOUS HISTORY 1. The Egyptian Empire 2. Greece 3. Rome 4. Asia III. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS 1. The Persian Period 2. The Alexandrian...
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CHRIST, OFFICES OF
[isbe] CHRIST, OFFICES OF - of'-is-is. General Titles of our Lord I. CHRIST'S MEDIATION EXPRESSED IN THE SPECIFIC OFFICES Historical Review of the Theory II. THE THREEFOLD OFFICE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT The Failure of the Offices to S...
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COMPARATIVE RELIGION
[isbe] COMPARATIVE RELIGION - kom-par'-a-tiv: I. THE SUBJECT IN GENERAL 1. Universality of Religion 2. Theories of Its Origin and Growth of Religion 3. Evolution II. RELATION OF CHRISTIANITY TO ETHNIC FAITHS AND THEIR TENETS 1. Kar...
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JOHANNINE THEOLOGY, 2
[isbe] JOHANNINE THEOLOGY, 2 - VI. Eternal Life. The development of the conception of eternal life must be set along with the doctrine of the moral nature of God and the doctrine of the incarnation as one of the greatest contributi...
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Word
[isbe] WORD - wurd: The commonest term in the Old Testament for "word" is dabhar (also "matter" "thing"); in the New Testament logos ("reason," "discourse," "speech"); but also frequently rhema. Rhema is a "word" in itself consider...
[nave] WORD, A title of Jesus, John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:7; Rev. 19:13. See: Jesus, Names, Appellations, and Titles of.
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Regeneration
[ebd] only found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a "new birth." The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Matt...
[nave] REGENERATION (Under this topic are collected those scriptures that relate to the change of affections, commonly denominated "conversion,'' "a new creature,'' "a new birth,'' etc.) Deut. 30:6 Deut. 29:4. 1 Kin. 8:58; Psa. 36:...
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SABBATH
[ebd] (Heb. verb shabbath, meaning "to rest from labour"), the day of rest. It is first mentioned as having been instituted in Paradise, when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:2). "The sabbath was made for man," as a day of rest and re...
[isbe] SABBATH - sab'-ath (shabbath, shabbathon; sabbaton, ta sabbata; the root shabhath in Hebrew means "to desist," "cease," "rest"): I. ORIGIN OF THE SABBATH 1. The Biblical Account 2. Critical Theories II. HISTORY OF THE SABBAT...
Arts
Hymns
(Note: In "active" or "on" condition, the hymns music will be played automatically when mouse hover on a hymns title)
- Bangunlah! Dengar Suara [KJ.276]
- Berlayar Baht'ra Rahmat [KJ.89]
- Berlutut di PalunganMu [KJ.115]
- Bernyanyilah Merdu [KJ.106] ( Good Christian Men, Rejoice / In dulci jubilo )
- Bumi dan Langit, Pujilah [KJ.286] ( Praise to the Holiest in the Height )
- Gapuramu Lapangkanlah [KJ.87]
- Gita Sorga Bergema [KJ.99] ( Hark! The Herald Angels Sing )
- Hai Kota Mungil Betlehem [KJ.94] ( O Little Town of Bethlehem )
- Hai Mari Berhimpun [KJ.109] ( Adeste fideles / O Come, All Ye Faithful )
- Haleluya, Pujilah [KJ.1]
- Jurus'lamat, Datanglah [KJ.82]
- Kau yang Lama Dinantikan [KJ.76]
- Kau, Yesus, Raja Mahakaya [KJ.297]
- Kiranya Langit Terbelah [KJ.80]
- Kusongsong Bagaimana [KJ.85]
- Lahir Kristus di Dunia [KJ.125]
- Mahaterpuji Allahku [KJ.79]
- Malam Kudus [KJ.92] ( Silent Night / Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht )
- Mari, Lihatlah Semua [KJ.114]
- O Yesus Kristus, T'rang Baka [KJ.140]
- O, Datanglah, Imanuel [KJ.81]
- PadaMu, Tuhan dan Allahku [KJ.367]
- Pencipta Bintang Semesta [KJ.86]
- Sebelum Semua Jadi [KJ.136]
- Sekarang, Tuhanku [KJ.128]
- Selama Bumi Didiami [KJ.298]
- Sinar Fajar Yang Baka [KJ.323]
- T'rang Bintang Fajar Berseri [KJ.139]
- Takhta Mulia di Tempat Baka [KJ.108] ( Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne )
- Terbitlah Bintang Timur [KJ.83]
- Terbitlah dalam Kegelapan [KJ.107]
- Tumbuhlah Tunas Baru [KJ.93]
- Ya Yesus, Dikau Kurindukan [KJ.84]
- Yang Dipuji Kaum Gembala [KJ.116]
- Yesus T'lah Datang [KJ.138]
- [Joh 1:1] God The Father, God The Word
- [Joh 1:1] God’s Eternal Word Is Spoken
- [Joh 1:1] Heavenly Word Proceeding Forth, The
- [Joh 1:1] High Word Of God
- [Joh 1:1] Jesus, The All-restoring Word
- [Joh 1:1] O Savior, Whom This Holy Morn
- [Joh 1:1] O Thou Essential Word
- [Joh 1:1] O Word Immortal Of Eternal God
- [Joh 1:1] Thanks To God Whose Word Was Spoken
- [Joh 1:1] Thou Art The Everlasting Word
- [Joh 1:1] Word Supreme, Before Creation
- [Joh 1:2] Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word
- [Joh 1:3] All That’s Good, And Great, And True
- [Joh 1:3] God Of Creation, All-powerful
- [Joh 1:3] Jesus Is God!
- [Joh 1:3] O Give Thanks To Him Who Made
- [Joh 1:3] See The Gold Upon The Hills
- [Joh 1:3] There’s Not A Tint That Paints The Rose
- [Joh 1:4] Jesus, Thou Joy Of Loving Hearts
- [Joh 1:12] He Gives The Power
- [Joh 1:12] O God, Thou Art The Father
- [Joh 1:14] Awake, Awake The Sacred Song
- [Joh 1:14] Come, Thou Redeemer Of The Earth
- [Joh 1:14] Life Which God’s Incarnate Word, The
- [Joh 1:14] O Come, Redeemer Of Mankind
- [Joh 1:14] O Word Of God Incarnate
- [Joh 1:14] Savior Of The Heathen, Known
- [Joh 1:14] Son Forsook The Father’s Home, The
- [Joh 1:14] When Came In Flesh The Incarnate Word
Questions
- I think I would have to begin with the words of John as my starting point: "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:18, NKJ). This is a propositi...
- The first question one must ask is, "In this context, just what is it that John believed?" John certainly must now have believed Mary's report, that the body of Jesus was missing. I think he believed more than this. I think h...
- I think our safest and most reliable course of action is to see how the term is used and understood in the New Testament. Here are the references to "Son of God" in the NT: Matt. 4:3; 4:6; 8:29; 26:63; 27:40; 27:43; 27:54 ...
- I have not done a thorough study of this verse, but I would make a couple of general comments. First, Hebrews 1:3 clearly states that Jesus Christ is not just like God, but is God. Jesus is the full and perfect image or re...
- A. T. Robertson, the great Greek scholar, has strongly stated that "His" of "His power" must refer to our Lord Jesus Christ, and I am inclined to agree, especially in the light of Hebrews 1:2 and Colossians 1:16-17, not to me...
- I'm going to copy some articles on this subject, but let me give you my summation of all of them. In the Old Testament, the firstborn son was the one who normally received a double inheritance, and was the one who would inher...
- The answer of the Bible is an unqualified "Yes!" The Bible teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are one, and yet they are three. Note these statements from Scripture: Isaiah 7:14 /Matthew 1:23 = M...
- God is Spirit. His essential nature is spirit ("pneuma" John 4:24). Therefore, he cannot be seen by our eyes (John 1:18). Any language in the Bible that refers to someone seeing him (e.g., John 14:7 eorakate "seen, beheld") i...
- We are all the offspring of God in the sense we are His products of the creative work of God (Acts 17:25ff), all men are not the children of God in a personal sense as a father with a son. Scripture teaches that God only dwel...
- "And I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Cor. 6:18). Such adoption is according to promise, by God's grace, through Christ, and we take it by faith (Gal. 3:7, 26; Ro...
- I think part of the issue here may revolve around a misconception about faith and what the Bible actually teaches us about faith and God's salvation for us in Christ. (1) The Bible does not teach us that faith is a gift t...
- Unfortunately, people use verses from the Bible totally out of context and with the wrong application and this is a good illustration. There is the popular chorus, "This is the Day" and it is usually understood as referring t...
- When we look up the two expressions largely in the English text, we find: Sons of God Gen. 6:2; Gen. 6:4; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7; Matt. 5:9; Lk. 20:36; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:19; Gal. 3:26 Children of God Jn. 1:12; Jn. 11:52...
- "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). We are commanded to have faith in God and in Christ (John 14:1; John 6:29) and yet it, of itself, is the gift and work of God in us, t...
- He was altogether lovely, Song of Solomon 5:16; holy, righteous, good, faithful, true, just, guileless and sinless, spotless, innocent, harmless (Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27; Is. 53:11; Matt. 19:16; Is. 11:5; John 1:14; John 7:18; Z...
- There are some differences of opinion among Christian scholars when it comes to the answer to your question. In very general terms the Bible teaches that we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved (John 1:12; 6:28-2...
- "Creation" means, in the orthodox sense, that God of his own free will and by his absolute power, called the whole universe into being, evoking into existence that which before was nonexistent. See Rom. 4:17; Ps. 33:6,9; Heb....
- The fundamental principle in the study of words is their context and the way they are used in throughout the Bible. And the same applies to any literature or writing. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Vol. I, Moo...
- While all Roman Catholics do not necessarily worship Mary, the fact that many pray to Mary (which is an act of worship and no where justified in Scripture) and give her titles which resemble those given to Jesus Christ includ...
- I think your question relates to the Trinity. Who created the heavens and the earth? According to Genesis 1, we could say God the Father, but notice that the Spirit of God is also involved (Genesis 1:2). Then there is Proverb...
Sermon Illustrations
Definitions;
Trinity Explained;
Who Is Jesus Christ?;
Salvation Is the Deliverance from Sin;
Regeneration;
Our Obligation to God;
Logos;
To Lean Your Whole Weight Upon;
Types in the Bible;
Hebrews 11:1-6;
Things to Pray for;
In the Flesh;
A Definition;
Course of the World;
World (Kosmos);
The Trinity, Acting in Unity;
Names of Jesus;
Basis of Assurance;
Trials of a Missionary;
Called From and To
Resources/Books
Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)
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There are three major views concerning the relationship of 1:1 to the rest of the creation account.1. Verse 1 describes an original creation of the universe. God began fashioning the earth as we know it in verse 2 or verse 3....
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1:3 The world came into being by God's word (cf. Ps. 33:9; Heb. 11:3). Each of the six creative days began with God speaking.55Jesus Christ, the Word of God, was the Creator (John 1:3). The theme of God's word (spoken, writte...
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The great contribution of this book is the revelation that Yahweh is the sovereign God who provides deliverance for man from the slavery in which he finds himself.The major teaching of Exodus is primarily threefold.1. The sov...
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4:19-23 Moses did not return immediately to Egypt when he arrived back in Midian following his encounter with God at Horeb (v. 19). God spoke to him again in Midian and sent him back to Egypt assuring His servant that everyon...
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Moses stayed in the heights of the mountain 40 days and nights while God gave him the stone tablets of the law and all the details of the tabernacle and its worship. Thus Moses was completely dependent on God. Now that Israel...
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Adams, Dwayne H. "The Building Program that Works (Exodus 25:4--36:7 [31:1-11])."Exegesis and Exposition1:1 (Fall 1986):82-92.Aharoni, Yohanan. "Kadesh-Barnea and Mount Sinai."In God's Wilderness: Discoveries in Sinai, pp. 11...
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How is it clear that Yahweh and not the idols directs world history? Yahweh alone can predict the future and then bring it to pass (41:21-29). Since Yahweh is the God of Israel, does He have any regard for the Gentile nations...
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"The first [biographical Servant] Song was a word from the Lord to the world about his Servant: Your plight is known, my Servant will deal with it' [42:1-4]; but the second [autobiographical] Song is the Servant's testimony h...
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Expositors have called this chapter the holy of holies of Isaiah. It is also the middle chapter in part two of the book (chs. 40-66). Most of the approximately 80 references to Isaiah in the New Testament come from this chapt...
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Light would dawn on Israel, and as a result the Gentiles would seek her out.60:1 God had called Israel to be a light to the nations (43:10), but presently she was darkness (56:9-57:13; 59:1-15a). The Lord had promised that He...
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"Having described the exaltation of Zion and her enlargement through the influx of the Gentiles, the prophet turns to describe the destruction of Zion's enemies."701"The oracle is most dramatic. The only OT passage that in an...
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The composition and structure of Jeremiah, discussed below, have led many scholars to conclude that an editor or editors (redactors) probably put the book in its final form. Many conservatives, however, believe that Jeremiah ...
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This section introduces another ruler of Israel who, in contrast to Zedekiah, his foil, would effectively lead God's people."This royal oracle is obviously intended to be the central peak of the range of oracles in chs. 4 and...
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2:10-11 The Israelites in Jerusalem and elsewhere were to rejoice because the Lord promised to intervene for them and to dwell among them. His return to Jerusalem would prompt the nations to come there and acknowledge Him as ...
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The first sentence in this pericope (section) serves as a title for the section, as the sentence in verse 1 did for 1:1-17. Matthew recorded the supernatural birth of Jesus to demonstrate further His qualification as Israel's...
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Comparison of John's Gospel and Matthew's shows that Jesus ministered for about a year before John the Baptist's arrest. John had criticized Herod Antipas for having an adulterous relationship with his brother Philip's wife (...
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Matthew evidently included this instruction because the marriage relationships of His disciples were important factors in their effective ministries. Jesus clarified God's will for His disciples that was different from the co...
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The three parables in this series are similar to three concentric circles in their scope. The scope of the parable of the two sons encompassed Israel's leaders (21:28-32). The parable of the wicked tenant farmers exposed the ...
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Even though Mark had already reported that Jesus had exorcized many demons, this case was extraordinary.5:1 Mark and Luke called this area the country of the Gerasenes, but Matthew called it the country of the Gadarenes. Gerg...
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The writer of this Gospel did not identify himself as such in the text. This is true of all the Gospel evangelists. Nevertheless there is evidence within this Gospel as well as in the writings of the church fathers that the w...
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John's presentation of Jesus in his Gospel has been a problem to many modern students of the New Testament. Some regard it as the greatest problem in current New Testament studies.15Compared to the Synoptics that present Jesu...
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In one sense the Gospel of John is more profound than the Synoptics. It is the most difficult Gospel for most expositors to preach and to teach for reasons that will become evident as we study it. In another sense, however, t...
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I. Prologue 1:1-18A. The preincarnate Word 1:1-5B. The witness of John the Baptist 1:6-8C. The appearance of the Light 1:9-13D. The incarnation of the Word 1:14-18II. Jesus' public ministry 1:19-12:50A. The prelude to Jesus' ...
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Each of the four Gospels begins with an introduction to Jesus that places Him in the historical setting of His earthly ministry. Matthew connected Him with David and Abraham. Mark associated Him directly with John the Baptist...
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John began his Gospel by locating Jesus before the beginning of His ministry, before His virgin birth, and even before Creation. He identified Jesus as co-existent with God the Father and the Father's agent in providing creat...
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John the Apostle introduced John the Baptist because John the Baptist bore witness to the light, namely Jesus. John the Baptist was both a model evangelist pointing those in darkness to the light and a model witness providing...
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The first section of the prologue (vv. 1-5) presents the preincarnate Word. The second section (vv. 6-8) identifies the forerunner of the Word's earthly ministry. This third section introduces the ministry of the Incarnate Wo...
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John's return to the Word in verse 14 from verse 1 introduces new revelation about Him. Though still part of the prologue, the present section focuses on the Incarnation of the Word.1:14 The Word, who existed equal with God b...
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The writer recorded John the Baptist's witness to Jesus' identity as preparation for his narration of Jesus' public ministry. He was the first of the Apostle John's witnesses to the Incarnation.Previously the writer had menti...
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The disciples of John were not the only men who began following Jesus. Andrew continued to bring other friends to Jesus. This incident preceded Jesus' formal appointment of the Twelve, but it shows Him preparing those who wou...
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The first miracle that Jesus performed, in His public ministry and in John's Gospel, was semi-public. Apparently only Jesus' disciples, the servants present, and Jesus' mother understood what had happened.2:1 The third day ev...
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The Synoptics record Jesus' cleansing of the temple after His triumphal entry (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-16; Luke 19:45-46). Only John noted this cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The differences b...
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John now presented evidence that Jesus knew people as no others did and that many believed in His name (2:23). This constitutes further witness that He is the Son of God. John summarized several conversations that Jesus had w...
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This pericope explains why Jesus must become greater. It also unites several themes that appear through chapter 3. John the Apostle or John the Baptist may be the speaker. This is not entirely clear.3:31-32 The incarnate Son ...
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There are several connections between this section and the preceding ones that provide continuity. One is the continuation of water as a symbol (cf. 2:6; 3:5; 4:10-15). Another is the continuation of conversation in which Jes...
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The response of the Samaritans to Jesus was considerably more positive than the response of the Jews had been (1:11; 2:23-25). This would prove true as Jesus' ministry continued to progress.4:39 Harvesting followed the arriva...
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This incident completes a cycle in John's Gospel. Jesus performed His first sign in Cana (2:1), and now He returned and did another miracle there (v. 46). There is even a second reference to Capernaum (2:12; 4:46). John's acc...
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"In chapters 1-4 the subject is described from the standpoint of a spectator, ab extra, and we are thus enabled to see something of the impression created on others by our Lord as He deals with individuals in Jerusalem, Samar...
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The preceding controversy resulted in Jesus clarifying His relationship to His Father further. Jesus proceeded to reply to His enemies' charge that He was not equal with God the Father. This is the most thoroughgoing statemen...
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Jesus now returned to develop a theme that He had introduced previously, namely the Father's testimony to the Son (vv. 19-20). Jesus proceeded to cite five witnesses to His identity, all of which came from the Father, since t...
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This section of the text contains Jesus' enigmatic and attractive description of the Bread of Life. Jesus was whetting His hearers' appetites for it (cf. 4:10). The pericope ends with their asking Him to give them the Bread (...
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6:60 Not only "the Jews"(v. 52) but many of Jesus' followers found His teaching about the Bread of Life offensive (Gr. skleros, difficult or hard). The term "disciple"is not synonymous with "believer,"as should be patently cl...
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"John 7 has three time divisions: before the feast (vv. 1-10), in the midst of the feast (vv. 11-36), and on the last day of the feast (vv. 37-52). The responses during each of those periods can be characterized by three word...
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7:25-26 Though many of the Jewish pilgrims in the temple courtyard did not realize how antagonistic the religious leaders were to Jesus (v. 20), some of the locals did. They marvelled that Jesus was speaking out publicly and ...
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The textual authenticity of this pericope is highly questionable. Most ancient Greek manuscripts dating before the sixth century do not contain it. However, over 900 ancient manuscripts do contain it including the important e...
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Following Jesus' claim to be the water of life (7:37-38) official opposition against Him intensified considerably. The following sections of this Gospel trace this rising opposition. While some believed on Jesus, most of His ...
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8:12 The context of the events in this paragraph continues to be the temple during the feast of Tabernacles (v. 20, cf. 7:14). Jesus was speaking to the Jews who had assembled there some of whom were residents of Jerusalem an...
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Jesus next addressed those in His audience who had expressed some faith Him (v. 30).8:31 The mark of a true disciple is continuation in the instructions of his or her teacher. A disciple is by definition a learner, not necess...
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10:31-33 Clearly the Jews understood Jesus to be claiming more than simple agreement with God in thought and purpose but equality with the Father as deity. They prepared to stone Him for blasphemy.370They believed Jesus was b...
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Jesus had presented Himself as the Water of Life, the Bread of Life, and the Light of Life. Now He revealed Himself as the resurrection and the life. This was the seventh and last of Jesus' miraculous signs that John recorded...
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In this pericope John stressed Jesus' deliberate purpose in allowing Lazarus to die and the reality of his death.11:1-2 "Lazarus"probably is a variant of "Eleazar"meaning "God helps."379The Synoptic writers did not mention hi...
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The scene now shifts from the region near Bethany of Perea (1:28; 10:40) to the Bethany in Judea. Both towns became sites where people believed on Jesus.11:17 There is some evidence that the later Jewish rabbis believed that ...
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Jesus proceeded to vindicate His claim that He was the One who would raise the dead and provide life (v. 25).11:38 Jesus again felt the same angry emotion as He approached Lazarus' tomb (cf. v. 33). Tombs cut into the limesto...
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12:37-38 The majority of the Jews did not believe on Jesus despite the many miracles that He performed that indicated His messiahship (cf. 1:11). John again attributed Israel's unbelief to God's will, though he balanced that ...
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"In the Synoptic account of the events of this evening we read of a dispute among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. John does not record this, but he tells of an action of Jesus that rebuked their lack ...
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Jesus had spoken only briefly about His betrayal until now (cf. 6:70; 13:10, 18). Now He gave the Twelve more specific information.13:21-22 The prospect of His imminent betrayal and death upset Jesus visibly (Gr. etarachthe, ...
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14:5 Thomas voiced the disciples' continuing confusion about Jesus' destination. Apparently the "Father's house"did not clearly identify heaven to them. Without a clear understanding of the final destination they could not be...
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14:8 The Eleven regarded Jesus very highly. Notwithstanding they did not yet realize that He was such an accurate and full revelation of God the Father that to see Jesus was to see the Father. Philip asked for a clear revelat...
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Jesus realized that the Eleven did not fully understand what He had just revealed. He therefore encouraged them with a promise that they would understand His words later.14:25-26 Jesus had made these revelations to His discip...
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Jesus often used a grapevine to describe the nation of Israel (cf. Matt. 20:1-16; 21:23-41; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 13:6-9; 20:9-16). The vine as a symbol of Israel appears on coins of the Maccabees.474Here Jesus used the vine meta...
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16:5 Jesus again pointed out that the revelation of His departure had made the disciples sad rather than happy. They had little interest in where He was going. What concerned them was the sorrow that His departure produced fo...
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16:25 "These things I have spoken unto you"(NASB) indicates another transition in the discourse (cf. 14:25; 16:1, 4, 33; 17:1). Jesus acknowledged that He had not been giving direct answers to His disciples' questions. He had...
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17:17 "To sanctify"(Gr. hagiazo) means to set apart for God's service (cf. Exod. 28:41; Jer. 1:5). Jesus is the perfect example of a sanctified person. He devoted Himself completely and consistently to God's will for Him. San...
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Having heard the Jews' charges, Pilate returned to the inside of his headquarters and began interrogating Jesus. His questioning centered on the issue of Jesus' kingship.18:33 The Jews' accusations motivated Pilate's question...
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There is quite a bit of unique material in this pericope. This includes the details of the Roman soldiers' abuse of Jesus (vv. 1-5) and the situation that Pilate's learning that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God instigated (...
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This pericope is unique to the fourth Gospel.19:31 The "day of preparation"was Friday, the day before the Sabbath (Saturday, cf. v. 14; Mark 15:42). The Jews considered sundown the beginning of a new day. In this case the new...
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This is the first of four of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances that John included in his Gospel.Jesus' Post-resurrection Appearances627Easter morningto Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-18)to other women (Matt. 28:9...
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This pericope contains another post-resurrection appearance of Jesus that bolstered the disciples' faith. It also contains John's account of the Great Commission.20:19 John moved his readers directly from the events of Easter...
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20:26 John located this post-resurrection appearance eight days after Easter Sunday, namely the following Sunday. His "eight days"(Gr. hemeras okto) evidently included both Sundays. Perhaps he identified the day because, by t...
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This Gospel began with a theological prologue (1:1-18). It ends with a practical epilogue. John concluded his narrative designed to bring unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ in chapter 20. Chapter 21 contains instruction for...
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Some commentators refer to this ending as a colophon.690However, it is more similar to a postscript because it contains only hints of the writer's identity. Mainly it claims that this Gospel is a reliable though limited recor...
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3:17-18 If Peter's charges against his hearers were harsh (vv. 13-15), his concession that they acted out of ignorance was tender. Peter undoubtedly hoped that his gentle approach would win a reversal of his hearers' attitude...
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Stephen's understanding of Moses was as orthodox as his view of God, but his presentation of Moses' career made comparison with Jesus' career unmistakable. As in the previous pericope, there is a double emphasis in this one, ...
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If anyone thought Paul had not visited Rome because he doubted the power of his gospel to work in that sophisticated environment, the apostle now clarified his reason. These verses conclude the epistolary introduction and tra...
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9:1 The apostle opened his discussion of God's relations with Israel very personally by sharing his heart for his own people. Some might have thought that Paul hated the Jews since he had departed from Judaism and now preache...
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Paul resumed his discussion of knowledge after digressing briefly in verses 2 and 3 to comment on the superiority of love over knowledge.8:4 In this verse Paul returned to the original subject of eating meals in idol temples ...
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This salutation contains the three elements common in all of Paul's epistles and other correspondence of his day: the writer, the addressees, and a greeting."This salutation exhibits undoubted resemblances in form to secular ...
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The apostle warned his readers not to think that they could satisfy the demands of the Mosaic Law by obeying only a few of its commands. Only complete compliance satisfies its demands.5:1 Paul's readers were in danger of retu...
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This paragraph is the most important one in the epistle and the most difficult to interpret."By anyone's reckoning, 2:6-11 constitutes the single most significant block of material in Philippians."582:5 Paul introduced an ill...
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Paul proceeded to deal with a significant group of antagonists that the Philippians faced.3:2 Jesus and other prophets used the term "dogs"to refer to opponents of God's truth (Matt. 7:6; cf. Deut. 23:18; 1 Sam. 17:43; 24:14;...
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"First-born"(Gr. prototokos) may denote either priority in time or supremacy in rank (cf. v. 18; Exod. 4:22; Ps. 89:27; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 1:15). It may also denote both of these qualities. Both seem to be in view here...
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Paul revealed what his readers enjoyed in Christ in this pericope to encourage them to remain faithful to the true revelation they had received and believed."The apostle now makes his most direct attack against the Colossian ...
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The writer began his epistle with an affirmation of Jesus Christ's greatness to introduce his readers to his subject. This section is one sentence in the Greek text. It contrasts God's old revelation with the new, specificall...
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"The author steadily develops his argument that Jesus is supremely great. He is greater than the angels, the author of a great salvation, and great enough to become man to accomplish it. Now the author turns his attention to ...
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James next introduced an objection to his thesis that faith is dead without works. He put it in the mouth of a hypothetical objector. This literary device of objection and response was a common one that Paul also used (Rom. 9...
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Peter began his second epistle as he did to introduce himself to his readers and to lay a foundation for what follows.1:1 The writer could hardly have stated his identity more clearly than he did in this verse. "Simon"was Pet...
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"This writing begins without any of the formal features characteristic of a letter, such as we found in 2 John and 3 John. Since the conclusion also lacks any typical features of a letter, we must conclude that the writing is...
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John began his explanation of what it means to live in the light by emphasizing that God is light.1:5 This verse provides a basis for what follows in verses 6-10. It gives the standard against which the three following Christ...
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John continued a structural pattern that he established in the previous section (vv. 6-7) in which he used pairs of clauses to present a false assertion followed by his correction.1:8 This second claim (cf. v. 6) is more seri...
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John reminded his readers of their spiritual blessings to motivate them to cultivate intimate fellowship with God."Because his readers are Christians and have in part experienced the power of their faith he moves them to nobl...
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This section introduces John's recapitulation and expansion of his exposition of what is necessary for people to have fellowship with God. He changed his figure from God as light to God as the Father of the believer."John beg...
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4:7 Love, as well as faith (i.e., acknowledging the true doctrine of Christ, vv. 1-6), is a product of God's Spirit. The believer (one "born of God") who also "knows"God (i.e., has intimate fellowship with Him) loves (cf. 2:3...
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The first chapter contains a prologue to the book, which is similar to the one in John 1:1-18, the prologue to John's Gospel (cf. 1 John 1:1-4). It also relates a vision that God gave John that prepared him for what follows. ...
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The last of the seven cities (modern Eski-hisar, "the old fortress") lay about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 90 miles east of Ephesus. It was a wealthy town that specialized in banking, producing black woolen cloth, ...
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This pericope furnishes the plot for the drama that unfolds in the rest of the chapter.12:1 John saw a "sign,"something that signified or represented something else (cf. v. 3; 13:13-14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:29). Usually John used ...
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On the one hand, the return of Jesus Christ to the earth is the climax of all that has preceded. On the other, it is the first of seven final things that John saw and recorded. These things were Christ's return, Satan's captu...
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21:2 In the same vision, John next saw a city descending out of heaven from God (cf. v. 10; 3:12; Heb. 11:13-16). It was holy in contrast to the former Jerusalem (cf. 11:8; Isa. 52:1; Matt. 4:5; 27:53). As the old Jerusalem w...
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22:8 John resumed addressing the reader, which he had not done since 1:1, 4, and 9. He affirmed the angel's words that the prophecy was genuine. He himself had heard and had seen the things that he had recorded (cf. Dan. 8:15...
Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)
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The call of the first four disciples is so told as to make prominent these points: the brotherhood of the two pairs; their occupation at the moment of their call; the brief, authoritative word of Christ; His investiture of th...
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The introduction of Jesus is somewhat less abrupt than that of John; but if we remember whom Mark believed Him to be, the quiet words which tell of His first appearance are sufficiently remarkable. There is no mention of His ...
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. 4. In Him was lif...
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He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.'--John 1:8.He was a burning and a shining light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in His light.'--John 5:35.MY two texts both refer to John the Bap...
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The Word dwelt among us.'--John 1:14.He that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them.'--Rev. 7:15.Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.' --Rev. 22:3.THE word rendered dwelt,' in these th...
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And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.'--John 1:10.WHAT a remarkable claim that is which the Apostle here makes for his Master! On the one side he sets His solitary figure as the universal Giver; on the...
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Consider, then, again, the many receivers from the one Source. Of His fulness have all we received.'Observe, we are not told definitely what it is that we receive. If we refer back to words in a previous verse, they may put u...