In this accessible treatment of the major themes of the Gospel of John, renowned New Testament scholar Lamar Williamson blends the best of biblical scholarship and a close reading of the Fourth Gospel to meet the practical needs of weekly preaching. A more reflective Gospel in which the risen Jesus speaks in signs and discourses, John does not simply tell stories, but allows us to experience the Word and to see Jesus offering living water to the aridity of the institutional church and bread to the hungry hearts of individual disciples. More than mere exposition,Preaching the Gospel of Johnincludes at the end of each passage three to five possibilities for preaching the text--creative and pertinent suggestions that can help preachers apply the words of the Fourth Gospel to the lives of today's churchgoers. Proclaiming the living Word is a major theme of the Gospel of John, and this clear and insightful commentary captures that message in the preaching moment.

Lamar Williamson Jr. is Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia.

Introduction

xi

The Prologue (1:1-18)

1

(10)

PART ONE MEETING THE LIVING WORD (1:19-12:50)

11

(150)

First Witness, First Disciples, First Encounters (1:19-3:36)

13

(33)

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

13

(3)

The First Disciples: Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel (1:35-51)

16

(6)

The First Sign: Water into Wine (2:1-12)

22

(6)

The First Confrontation: Jesus and the Temple Authorities (2:13-22)

28

(3)

Reactions to Jesus (2:23-25)

31

(2)

Jesus' Encounter with Nicodemus (3:1-21)

33

(7)

Jesus and John: First Summary (3:22-36)

40

(6)

Responses to the Coming of the Light (4:1-12:50)

46

(115)

The Samaritan Woman (4:1-42)

46

(8)

Transition: From Samaria to Galilee (4:43-45)

54

(1)

The Royal Official's Son (4:46-54)

55

(2)

The Paralytic by the Pool (5:1-18)

57

(4)

The Second Confrontation: Does Jesus Claim Equality with God? (5:19-47)

61

(5)

Overview of Chapter 6 (6:1-71)

66

(25)

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand People and Walks on the Sea (6:1-21)

67

(6)

The Crowd's Search for Bread (6:22-35)

73

(4)

"I Am the Bread of Life" (6:35-51)

77

(6)

"Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood" (6:52-59)

83

(3)

Responses of Disciples (6:60-71)

86

(5)

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

91

(19)

Transition from Galilee to Jerusalem (7:1-13)

91

(2)

Encounter and Response at the Festival of Booths (7:14-52)

93

(5)

A Sinful Woman and Her Sinful Accusers (7:53-8:11)

98

(5)

The Light of the World: Confrontation in the Temple (8:12-59)

103

(7)

The Beggar Blind from Birth (9:1-41)

110

(8)

The Metaphor of the Sheepfold (10:1-21)

118

(6)

Review of the Argument (10:22-42)

124

(6)

The Raising of Lazarus (11:1-44)

130

(8)

The Decision to Kill Jesus (11:45-57)

138

(4)

The Anointing at Bethany (12:1-11)

142

(4)

Jesus Enters Jerusalem (12:12-19)

146

(3)

"The Hour Has Come" (12:20-36)

149

(6)

Entr'acte (12:37-50)

155

(6)

PART TWO WORDS TO LIVE BY (13:1-17:26)

161

(74)

Preliminary Remarks

163

(1)

The Last Supper, Footwashing, and Prediction of Betrayal 13:1-30

164

(8)

The Farewell Discourse (13:31-16:33)

172

(47)

Introduction (13:31-38)

172

(5)

Table Talk (14:1-31)

177

(17)

Departure and Reassurance (14:1-14)

177

(11)

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

188

(6)

Expanded Discourse (15:1-16:4a)

194

(14)

The Allegory of the Vine and Branches (15:1-8)

194

(5)

The Love Commandment (15:9-17)

199

(6)

The World's Hatred (15:18-16:4a)

205

(3)

Recapitulation (16:4b-33)

208

(11)

The Departure of Jesus and the Coming of the Advocate (16:4b-15)

209

(4)

Conclusion: Joy and Peace (16:16-33)

213

(6)

The Great Prayer (17:1-26)

219

(16)

Jesus Prays for Himself: "Father, Glorify Me" (17:1-5)

219

(3)

Jesus Prays for His First Disciples (17:6-19)

222

(7)

Jesus Prays for His Future Disciples and Concludes His Prayer (17:20-26)

229

(6)

PART THREE THE WORD THAT DOES NOT DIE (18:1-20:31)

235

(69)

Passion Narrative (18:1-19:42)

237

(37)

Betrayal and Arrest (18:1-12)

240

(4)

Interrogation by the High Priest and Denial by Peter (18:13-27)

244

(5)

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

249

(13)

Death and Burial (19:16b-42)

262

(12)

Resurrection Narratives and First Ending (20:1-31)

274

(17)

The Empty Tomb and the Appearance to Mary Magdalene (20:1-18)

275

(6)

Appearances to the Disciples and to Thomas (20:19-29)

281

(5)

First Ending (20:30-31)

286

(5)

Epilogue (21:1-25)

291

(13)

Final Recognition Scene (21:1-14)

292

(4)

Jesus' Final Conversation with Peter (21:15-23)

296

(5)

Second Ending (21:24-25)

301

(3)

Afterword

304

(13)

Notes

317

(16)

Glossary

333

(8)

Select Bibliography

341

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