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"The Gospel of John"
Bible Study"
 Commentary by Samuel Mills

The Gospel of John presents a marvelous testimony of Jesus Christ and the purest and most elevated views of God to be found anywhere, far exceeding the speculations of philosophers.

John's Gospel contains:

• The record of the Savior's most profound discourses.
• His most convincing arguments with the Jews.
• His declarations regarding Himself and God.

The "Gospel of John" has been received down through the ages as being the truth of God, Divinely revealing that Jesus is the "Son of God" and "Lord of Lords."

• Author:
  John the apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, also known as the son of Zebedee, and brother of James called "Son of Thunder."

• Date:
  Between A.D. 85-90
  After the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.)
  Before John was exiled to the Island of Patmos
  
  
• Geography:
  The Judean countryside: Samaria, Galilee, Bethany, Jerusalem

The Gospel of John differs from Matthew, Mark, and Luke's Gospel in that there is no record of the genealogy of Jesus' birth or childhood; nor numerous miracles; parables; the ascension; or Great Commission.

In John's Gospel, Jesus deals with individuals, preaches to great crowds; trains his disciples; debates with religious leaders; and offers the gift of eternal life to all who will believe and receive Him.

Follow along as John delivers his eyewitness account, and declares that Jesus is, the "Son of God."

The Gospel of John
Verse by Verse Bible Study
With Commentary

 The Word was God 
(John 1:1-18) - Jesus was both the Word, and God. He had been with God since the beginning, and all things had been created through Him. In Him is life, and that life is the light of the world.  

John The Baptist's Testimony
(John 1:19-34) - John the Baptist confessed that he was not the Christ. When he saw Jesus, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God..." (John 1:29)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples
(John 1:35-51) - John the Baptist introduces Jesus as, the Lamb of God. Jesus begins to call His disciples, and some of John the Baptist's disciples begin to follow Jesus.

Jesus Turns Water into Wine
(John 2: 2-11) - Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine at the wedding in Cana.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple
(John 2:12-25) - The Messiah of Israel had arrived; Today His love and reverence for the Father would become a demonstration of righteous indignation.

Jesus said, "You must be born again,"
(John 3:1-21) - Nicodemus did not understand that the only way to reach Heaven was through Jesus.

Baptism by Jesus and John the Baptist
(John 3:22-36) - This Bible study lesson explains the forms and purposes of baptism used by Jesus, and of John the Baptist. Also reflections on water, Spirit, and even baby baptism

The Woman at the Well-Part 1
(John 4:1-26) - John the Baptist did not consider himself worthy to "loosen the straps" on Jesus' shoes; Yet, in one of the most loved Bible stories, Jesus, God the Son, reached out to this woman of Samaria...

The Woman at the Well-Part 2
(John 4: 27-42 - Continued from the Woman at the Well Part 1. The woman accepts the "Well Spring of Life that springs up into Eternity," and becomes a powerful witness to the Samaritans.

Pool of Bethesda 
(John 5:1-30) - Jesus heals a cripple by the Pool of Bethesda, but the authorities say it is against the Law because it was on a Sabbath 

The Fourfold Witness
(John 5:31-47) - In this study, Jesus presents witnesses to prove that He is, "The Messiah."

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
(John 6:1-14) - The account of Jesus feeding the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels.

Jesus Walks on Water
(John 6:15-21) - "Jesus said to them; It is I, do not be afraid." Some believe He was saying, "This is the "I AM.'"

The Bread of Life
(John 6:22-40) - Jesus is the real bread of life. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."

Rejected by His Disciples
(John 6:41-71) - Jesus made a tremendous effort to help the people understand that He is speaking of Spiritual, not physical food. This Spiritual food is only available to those who believe. 

Jesus Attends the Feast of Booths
(John 7:1-24) - This study offers a rare glimpse of Jesus interacting with His family. The hostility and plots against Him, continue. 

Can this be the Christ?
(John 7:25-53) - Jesus was teaching in the temple, and the people were trying to determine His true identity.

Jesus Forgives an Adulterous Woman
(John 8:1-30  - The scribes and Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Jesus, but not to justify the law.

I AM the Light of the World
(John 8:12-30) - Jesus, "The Light of the World," removes darkness and lights the path ahead.

Children of Abraham
(John 8:31-59)  -  The descendants, or Children of Abraham, were attempting to stand on their rights to Heaven simply because of their ancestry.

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
(John 9:1-41) - The Light of Jesus gives sight, both physically and spiritually.

I am the Good Shepherd
(John 10:1-42) - Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd." The problem was that the Pharisees and aristocrats despised shepherds.

Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
(John 11:1-44) - Bethany was the hometown of Lazarus' and his sisters, Mary and Martha.

Chief Priests and Pharisees Plot to Kill Jesus
(John 11:45-54) - The people had been mourning with Mary and Martha over the death of Lazarus. When Jesus raised him from the dead, they reported all they had seen to the Pharisees.

Mary anoints Jesus for His Burial
(John 11:55-John 12:8) - Mary anoints Jesus feet with a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, then wipes his feet with her hair. 

Chief Priests Plot to Kill Lazarus
(John 12:9-11) - When the Chief Priests learned that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, they began to devise a plot to kill Lazarus.

Jesus' Triumphal Entry
(John 12:12-26)  - Many of those waving palm branches in His honor and hailing Him as King, would soon be yelling, "Crucify Him!"

The Son of Man Must Be Lifted UP
(John 12:27-36)  - The Father God speaks from heaven - Jesus said, "When I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself." “The light is among you for a little while longer."

Jesus Confronts the Unbelief of the People
(John 12:37-50) Jesus had performed many miracles before these people, presented infallible witnesses, yet they refused to believe in Him

Jesus Washes the Disciple's Feet
(John 13:1-16) - The night before Jesus' crucifixion He washed His disciples feet and continued to teach.

Jesus Said, One of You will Betray Me
(John 13:16-38) - The strain and tension of the approaching Passover and crucifixion were mounting, and the effect on the disciples was even higher.

The Way the Truth and the Life
(John 14:1-14) - Early Christianity, used the word "Truth" when referencing God. Through Jesus, we receive the "Gift of Eternal Life.

If You Love Me Keep My Commandments
(John 14:15-31) - Jesus had a tremendous mission to fulfill, but it was beyond the ability of the disciples to understand.

I AM the True Vine
(John 15: 1-27) - The vine was symbolic of Israel and appeared on some of their coins. Here Jesus describes Himself as, "The True Vine.

The Work of the Holy Spirit
(John 16:1-33) - Jesus continues to prepare the disciples for the tremendous battles that lie ahead, but promises He will not leave them alone. 

Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
(John 16:1-15) - Jesus did not doubt their faith, but He knew it would be tested tremendously in the next few days.

The Great Intercessory Prayer
(John 17:1-26) - "Jesus' Great Intercessory Prayer," also known as, "Jesus' High Priestly Prayer,' is seen by many as Jesus' farewell speech.

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
(John 18:1-14) - Jesus could have stopped the process at any moment because He was not so much the victim as the orchestrator of events.

Peter's Denial of Jesus
(John 18:15-27) - Peter's Denial of Jesus seems strange in that only a short time earlier, he had fought for Jesus and even followed as they led Him away.

Jesus is Brought Before Pilate
(John 18:28-40) - Jesus' trial  took place at the Praetorian, which was the Governor's Palace, and is more detailed than the other Gospels. 

Soldiers Mock and Beat Jesus
(John 19:1-16) - Severe scourging often preceded crucifixions and was part of the death sentence.

The Crucifixion of Jesus
(John 19:17-27) - Crucifixion, reserved for slaves and criminals, was a hideous Roman method of execution despised by the Jews. Anyone hanged on a cross was considered accursed of God, (Deut. 21:23).

The Death of Jesus on the Cross
(John 19:28-37) - The complicated "Old Covenant" system of animal sacrifice was about to be replaced by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Jesus would become the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin.

The Burial of Jesus
(John 19:38-42) - By Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
The tomb was probably a cave carved out of the stone hillside. It was essential to complete the burial before sunset.

The Resurrection of Jesus
(John 20:1-10) - His reference to the sign of Jonah meant that after three days He would rise from the dead. Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb. 

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
(John 20:11-18) - Mary Magdalene, a faithful disciple of Jesus, remained as close as possible throughout the crucifixion. (There are about 25 famous Mary Magdalene paintings).

Jesus Appears to the Disciples
(John 20:19-23) - By now, Peter, and John had surely told the other disciples what they had seen, and all, except for Thomas, had met that evening.

Jesus and Doubting Thomas 
(John 20:24-31)  - Thomas' confession that Jesus is God is considered to be among the greatest ever made.

Miracle Catch of Fish
(John 21:1-14) 

Jesus tells the disciples,

• "Cast the net on the right side of the boat;"
• Tells Simon Peter, "Feed my Lambs." 
• John's testimony, "Jesus is God."

Peter is Forgiven and Restored
(John (21:15-25) - Three times Peter had denied knowing Jesus -  Three times Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?"

Gospel of John Commentary

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