The Gospel of John is one of the most beloved books in the Christian canon. Its stories and images have long captured the imaginations of Christians. Not only is it one of the most popular writings of the New Testament, but many aspects of its style and outlook are distinctive. In this clear, thorough, and accessible commentary on the Gospel of John, scholars Gail O'Day and Susan Hylen explore and explain this Gospel's distinctive qualities.Books in the Westminster Bible Companion series assist laity in their study of the Bible as a guide to Christian faith and practice. Each volume explains the biblical book in its original historical context and explores its significance for faithful living today. These books are ideal for individual study and for Bible study classes and groups.

Susan E. Hylen is the Mellon Assistant Professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt University. Gail R. O'Day is Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affair and A. H. Shatford Professor of Preaching and New Testament at Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

Series Foreword

ix

Introduction

1

(1)

Historical Issues

2

(5)

Authorship

3

(1)

Date

4

(1)

Social Location of the Gospel

5

(2)

Literary Features

7

(6)

Metaphor

7

(2)

Irony

9

(1)

Characters

10

(2)

Structure

12

(1)

Theology

13

(4)

Contrasts and Choices

14

(1)

Jewish Tradition

15

(1)

Jesus' Identity and Purpose

16

(1)

Conclusion

17

(4)

PART 1: THE BEGINNINGS OF JESUS' MINISTRY (John 1:1--4:54)

The Prelude to Jesus' Ministry John (1:1--51)

21

(13)

The Prologue (John 1:1--18)

22

(6)

``In the beginning was the Word''

23

(3)

Children of God

26

(1)

The Word Became Flesh

26

(2)

The Witness of John the Baptist (John 1:19--34)

28

(3)

The Gathering of Jesus' First Disciples (John 1:35--51)

31

(3)

``Greater Things'': The Opening of Jesus' Ministry (John 2:1--22)

34

(6)

The Wine Miracle at Cana (John 2:1--12)

34

(3)

The Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13--25)

37

(3)

Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1--21)

40

(8)

Born from Above or Born Again?

42

(3)

``God so loved the world''

45

(3)

The Final Witness of John the Baptist (John 3:22--36)

48

(2)

Jesus in Samaria (John 4:1--42)

50

(8)

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1--30)

50

(5)

``Living water''

52

(1)

True Worship

53

(2)

The Samaritan Woman's Witness

55

(1)

Fields Ripe for Harvesting (John 4:31--42)

55

(3)

Jesus Heals an Official's Son (John 4:43--54)

58

(5)

PART 2: REVELATION AND CONFLICT: JESUS' MINISTRY CONTINUES (John 5:1--12:50)

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath (John 5:1--47)

63

(8)

A Sabbath Healing (John 5:1--18)

65

(1)

The Discourse (John 5:19--47)

65

(4)

Excursus: ``The Jews''

69

(2)

The Bread of Life John (6:1--71)

71

(9)

The Feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6:1--14)

71

(1)

Jesus Walks on Water (John 6:15--21)

72

(1)

Dialogue and Discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6:22--71)

73

(5)

Excursus: The Eucharist in John

78

(2)

Jesus at the Festival of Booths (John 7:1--8:59)

80

(17)

Jesus Goes to Jerusalem (John 7:1--13)

80

(3)

Jesus' Teaching and Response (John 7:14--52)

83

(5)

Interlude: Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 7:53--8:11)

88

(2)

Jesus the Light of the World (John 8:12--20)

90

(1)

Freedom from Slavery (John 8:21--59)

91

(6)

Jesus Heals a Man Blind from Birth (John 9:1--41)

97

(6)

The Healing (John 9:1--12)

97

(1)

Responses to the Healing (John 9:13--41)

98

(5)

Jesus the Gate and the Shepherd (John 10:1--42)

103

(9)

The Shepherding Metaphors (John 10:1--21)

103

(5)

Jesus at the Festival of the Dedication (John 10:22--42)

108

(4)

The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1--57)

112

(9)

The Situation of Need (John 11:1--16)

112

(3)

The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:17--44)

115

(3)

The Plot to Kill Jesus (John 11:45--57)

118

(3)

The Prelude to Jesus' Hour (John 12:1--50)

121

(14)

Mary Anoints Jesus (John 12:1--11)

121

(3)

Jesus Enters Jerusalem (John 12:12--19)

124

(1)

Interaction with the Crowd (John 12:20--36a)

125

(3)

Commentary on the People's Responses (John 12:36b--50)

128

(2)

Epilogue: A Summary of Jesus' Teachings (John 12:44--50)

130

(5)

PART 3: THE ARRIVAL OF JESUS' HOUR (John 13:1--17:26)

The Last Supper John (13:1--38)

135

(7)

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet (John 13:1--20)

135

(4)

The Responses of Jesus' Disciples (John 13:21--38)

139

(3)

The Farewell Discourse (John 14--17)

142

(27)

``I will not leave you orphaned'' (John 14:1--31)

144

(7)

``I am the way'' (John 14:1--14)

144

(2)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15--31)

146

(5)

``Abide in Me'' (John 15:1--16:4a)

151

(6)

``I am the vine'' (John 15:1--17)

151

(2)

``If the world hates you'' (John 15:18--16:4a)

153

(4)

``It is to your advantage that I go away'' (John 16:4b--33)

157

(4)

Jesus' Farewell Prayer (John 17:1--26)

161

(8)

PART 4: THE EVENTS OF JESUS' HOUR (John 18:1--21:25)

Jesus' Arrest and Trial (John 18:1--19:16a)

169

(15)

The Arrest (John 18:1--12)

169

(2)

Jesus' Interrogation by Annas (John 18:13--27)

171

(3)

Jesus' Trial before Pilate (John 18:28--19:16a)

174

(10)

Scene One: ``What accusation do you bring?'' (John 18:29--32)

175

(1)

Scene Two: ``Are you the King of the Jews?'' (John 18:33--38a)

176

(2)

Scene Three: ``Not this man, but Barabbas!'' (John 18:38b--40)

178

(1)

Scene Four: ``Hail, King of the Jews!'' (John 19:1--3)

178

(1)

Scene Five: ``Crucify him!'' (John 19:4--7)

179

(1)

Scene Six: ``You would have no power over me'' (John 19:8--12)

180

(1)

Scene Seven: ``We have no king but the emperor!'' (John 19:13--16a)

181

(3)

The Crucifixion and Burial (John 19:16b--42)

184

(7)

The Crucifixion (John 19:16b--27)

184

(2)

The Death of Jesus (John 19:28--36)

186

(3)

Jesus' Burial (John 19:38--42)

189

(2)

The Resurrection (John 20:1--31)

191

(1)

``Early on the first day of the week . . .'' (John 20:1--18)

191

(3)

``When it was evening that day . . .'' (John 20:19--23)

194

(1)

``A week later . . .'' (John 20:24--31)

195

A Resurrection Appearance in Galilee (John 21:1--25)

191

(14)

The Miracle of the Fish (John 21:1--14)

199

(3)

The Futures of Peter and the Beloved Disciple (John 21:15--25)

202

(3)

Works Cited

205

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