John
The apostle and evangelist, John, seems to have been the youngest of the twelve. He was
especially favoured with our Lord's regard and confidence, so as to be spoken of as the disciple
whom Jesus loved. He was very sincerely attached to his Master. He exercised his ministry at
Jerusalem with much success, and outlived the destruction of that city, agreeably to Christ's
prediction, ch. 21:22. History relates that after the death of Christ's mother, John resided chiefly at
Ephesus. Towards the close of Domitian's reign he was banished to the isle of Patmos, where he
wrote his Revelation. On the accession of Nerva, he was set at liberty, and returned to Ephesus,
where it is thought he wrote his Gospel and Epistles, about A. D. 97, and died soon after. The design
of this Gospel appears to be to convey to the Christian world, just notions of the real nature, office,
and character of that Divine Teacher, who came to instruct and to redeem mankind. For this purpose,
John was directed to select for his narrative, those passages of our Saviour's life, which most clearly
displayed his Divine power and authority; and those of his discourses, in which he spake most
plainly of his own nature, and of the power of his death, as an atonement for the sins of the world.
By omitting, or only briefly mentioning, the events recorded by the other evangelists, John gave
testimony that their narratives are true, and left room for the doctrinal statements already mentioned,
and for particulars omitted in the other Gospels, many of which are exceedingly important.
Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
The Divinity of Christ. (1–5)
His Divine and human nature. (6–14)
John the Baptist's testimony to Christ. (15–18)
John's public testimony concerning Christ. (19–28)
Other testimonies of John concerning Christ. (29–36)
Andrew and another disciple follow Jesus. (37–42)
Philip and Nathanael called. (43–51)Verses 1–5
The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words
explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the
world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His existence in the
beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Word was with God. All things were made by
him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not any thing made that was made, from the highest
angel to the meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work of our redemption
and salvation. The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends
upon him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not. Let us