THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. THE distinguished Apostle, the author of this Gospel, was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and is supposed to have been the youngest, as he was the most beloved of all our Lord's apostles. The affection of the Lord for him was manifested on various occasions, and the attachment of John to his Master is shewn by several minute but decisive incidents, such as his entering the palace of the High Priest, his being present when Jesus was condemned; his following him to Calvary when he witnessed the crucifixion, &c. That our Lord reposed confidence in his beloved follower, is evidenced by His committing His mother to John's care. Several particulars connected with his subsequent history are to be found in the Book of Acts. (See ch. iii.; iv., 1-22; viii., 5-26; xv. Ecclesiastical tradition leads us to conclude that after the breaking out of the troubles which preceded the destruction of Jerusalem, he fixed his abode at Ephesus, and that he suffered from the persecution under Domitian, by whom it is also asserted by some of the fathers he was banished to the desolate island of Patmos, where he received the Apocalypse. He died, according to the most probable tradition, at Ephesus about the year 100, having long survived all the apostles. This Gospel was originally written in Greek; the style is simple and natural, and though less pure than that of Luke, not particularly marked by Hebraisms. The tone of thought is reflective rather than dialectic, and this has communicated a peculiar character of continuity to the style. He always expresses himself clearly, though his stock of words is not copious. It is more polemical than the other Gospels, being designed partly to refute certain rising corruptions of the truth. It seems probable that John had perused what the other sacred historians had written. The Gospel differs so much from all the others, as to lead to the conjecture that the peculiarity of its composition is not wholly to be ascribed to the cast of the writer's mind, but that its avoidance of repetition was intentional. This is confirmed by an apparent exception, in the miracle recorded by the whole four evangelists (John, chap. vi.), the narration of which was necessary as an introduction to the sublime discourse which followed. The preponderating evidence, both external and internal, goes to shew that this was a production of the Apostle's old age, probably the latest of his works. Whatever object of a polemical nature he may have had in view in writing it, his supreme object seems to have been to set before his readers the spiritual nature of Jesus, not only as the Christ, but as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. 3, 3. Ma. 1, 3. Lu. 3, 4. b......This is the offering made by fire, which ye the Lord; two shall offer unto lambs of the first year without spot, day by day, for a continual burnt offering. Nu. 28, 3. y Or, beareth. 16. Ve. 27. Lu. 3, dve. 7. Is. 40, 3, 5. Mal. 3, 1; and 4, 2, 5. Lu. 1, 17, 76-79. e Mat. 3, 16. M. 1, 10. Lu. 3, 21. OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD, AS SAID THE PROPHET ESAIAS." 24 And they which were sent were of the pharisees.* 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, "Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?" 26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom know not; 27 he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. ye 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb' of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." 32 And John bare record, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is with power...Ac. he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare re9...God sent his cord that this is the Son of God." f...God anointed Jesus of Nazar- eth with the 10, 38. Tit. 3, 5, 6. only begotten 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, "What seek ye?" They said unto him, "Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?" 39 He saith unto them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, "We have found the Messias," (which is, being interpreted, the Christ.) 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jona; thou shalt be called Cephas," which is by interpretation, "A stone. 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth' Philip, and saith unto him, "Follow me." 44 Now Philip was of Beth-m saida," the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael," and saith unto him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the Law, and the Prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 6 And Nathanael said unto him, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"P 21, 21 o......He shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground... Is. 53, 2. De. 18, 1822. p Ch. 7, 41, 42. Lu. 4, 28, 29. q......Prove all that which is good. 1 Th. 5, Philip saith unto him, things; hold fast "Come and see.' 19 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, "Behold an Israelite" indeed, shall be called in whom is no guile!" 48 Nathanael saith unto him, "Whence knowest thou me ?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater" things than these." 51 And he saith unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye 8... Before they call, I will an swer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Is. 65, 24. Ps 110, 1. Is. Ez. 37, 21-25. 9, 7. Je. 23, 5, 6. u......For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, & he shall have more abundance. Mat. 13, 12; and 25, 29. sees, and all the Jews, except they wash their not...Ma. 7, 3. 27. CANA.-Beginning of Miracles. Water turned to wine. A23 ND the third day there was a was 2 AND and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, "They have no wine." Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." y For the Phari- 5 His mother saith unto the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do hands oft, eat it." "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 'Jesus saith unto them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, "Draw out* now, and bear unto the governor of the feast." And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the Water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was; (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bride10 and saith unto him, "Every groom, man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested" forth his glory; and his disciples believed' on him. 2 Go thy way, eat joy, and drink thy wine with a thy bread with merry heart; for God now accept eth thy works. Ec. 9, 7. a ...For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath (Gr., is he who hath) shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Co. 4, 6. b Ch. 11, 15; & 20, 30, 31. 1 Jno. 5, 13. c Ve. 23; Ch. 5, 1; 13 And the Jews' passover was at & 6, 4; & 11, 55. hand, and Jesus went up to JerusaNu. 28, 16-25.lem, 14 and found in the temple those Ex. 12, my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zec. 4, 6. f......For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Is. 56, 7. Ps. 69, 9; and 119, 139. 12, 38; and 16, 1-4. Ma. 8, 11. Lu. 11, 29. i...That he was he arose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Co. 15, 4. k......For in him dwelleth all the 16 and said unto them that sold doves, "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." 17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, "THE ZEAL OF THINE HOUSE HATH EATEN ME UP." 18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, "What sign" shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things ?" 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days buried, and that I will raise it up." 20 Then said the Jews, "Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou 21 But he rear it up in three days?" spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered' that he had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the 23 Now word which Jesus had said. when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. Jesus did not commit himself unto because he knew all men, them, 25 24 But fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2, 9. Lu. 24, 7, 8, 44. m But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead. Ja. 2, 20. 5 and needed" not that any should testify of man: for he knew what ... For Jesus THERE 26 3 HERE was a man of the pharisees, named Nicodemus," a ruler of the Jews: 2the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." knew from the beginning who they were that believed not...... Ch. 6, 64. o Ve. 10; Ch. 7, 47-49. p...So it was, because he(Gideon) feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night. Ju. 6, 27. q...For in Christ circumcision Jesus neither availeth anything, nor un circumcision, but a new creature. Ga. 6, 15. 20 For A.D. 27. every one that doeth evil hateth the ...They are of Closing testimony of John to Jesus. C 27 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa: and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John' also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there and they came, and were bap 24 those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. Job 24, 13. Ch.4, 1. Ma. 1, 5. i Mat. 3, 6, 16. Lu. 3, 7. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, "How" | cause their deeds were evil. 4 For John was not yet cast Mat. 14, 3. 18 seen; d Ch. 9, 39; and me, hath ever6, 47; and 20, 31. lasting life. Ch. ƒ Ch. 1, 5, 10, 11. also now save us, 3, 16. himself. gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...Ja. 1, 17. 1 Co. 4, 7. o Let us be glad and rejoice, and and give honour to him...Re. 19,7. question between some of John's dis- 30 He 34 For Who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things (or, among all) he might have the pre-eminence. Col. 1, 18. q Ch. 8, 23. 1 Co. r Ch. 5, 20; & 8, Thou hast put all things in subfeet...He. 2, 8. A.D. 27. everlasting life: and he that believ u This is the re-eth not the Son shall not see life; cord, that God but the wrath of God abideth on him.' hath given to us eternal life; and this life is in his son. 1Jno.5, 11. And he (Peter) commandeth them to be bap tized...Ac. 10,48. ...He bought a where he had ...and he erected there an altar & called it El-elohe parcel of a field, spread his tent Israel.) Israel (that is, 32. y 2 Co. 8, 9. z Ch. 11, 9. Mat. 27, 45. 4 27. SYCHAR.— Our Lord's discourse with the woman of Samaria. WHE 30 ceive not because ye ask amiss... Ja. 4, 3. i...All things are naked, and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. He. 4, 13. a fear on all, & they glorified God, saying, That a great us: saith unto her, "Go, call thy husband, and come hither." 17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said unto her, "Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." 19 The woman saith unto him, "Sir, I perceive that thou And there came art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain;' and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place prophet is risen where men ought to worship." 21 sus saith unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when shall ye neither in this mountain, nor yet at 40; and 9, 17. Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye" know not what we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 8 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." 25 The woman saith unto him, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things." 26 Jesus saith unto her, "I that speak" unto thee am he." 27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, "What seekest thou?" or, "Why talkest thou with her?" HEN therefore the Lord knew how the pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2(though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3he left Judæa, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And he must needs go through Samaria. 5Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied" with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth, hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, "Give me to drink." (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)-9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, a... And she (Re-"How is it that thou, being a Jew, bekah) said, Drink, my lord: askest drink of me, which am a woand she hasted, man of Samaria ?" (for the Jews pitcher upon her have no dealings with the Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."-11 The woman saith unto him, "Sir, thou hast nothing to drawd with, and the well is deep from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle ?" 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosoever drinketh of Ch. 6, 27, 49, 58. this water shall thirst again; 14 but 9 He that believ-whosoever drinketh of the water that eth on Me, as I shall give him shall never thirst; hath said, out of but the water that I shall give him flow rivers of shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."-15 The up among n 2 Ki. 17, 29. that and wh the Lord is Spirit, where the Spirit there is liberty. 2 Co. 3, 17 q De. 18, 15-18. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee. Ch. 9, 37. 8 Ve.9. Lu.7, 39. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29" Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ ?" 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, 32 But he said Master, eat." unto them, "I have meat" to eat that ye know not of." 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, J, 23, 12. doves to their windows? Is. 60, 8. Ac. 8, 5 -8; and 10, 33. u......I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. |