BRF - Richard A. Burridge
John The People's Commentary - A Samaritan Woman at a Well
John The People's Commentary - A Samaritan Woman at a Well
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
A Samaritan Woman at a Well This gospel‘s geographical setting moves between north and south, from Jesus calling disciples in Galilee (1:43) and the wedding in Cana (2:1) to the temple in Jerusalem (2:13) and Nicodemus’ night visit (3:1)…
John The People's Commentary - Jesus - The One from Above
John The People's Commentary - Jesus - The One from Above
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Jesus - The One from Above This last section is ‘free floating’ like 3:16–21; again it is unclear who is the speaker. John the Baptist started talking in 3:27 and some translations continue his speech through to 3:36, while others make this a comment by the evangelist…
John The People's Commentary - Come & See
John The People's Commentary - Come & See
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Come & See Once again, this scene begins with John the Baptist declaring that Jesus is the Lamb of God (1:36). Two of John’s disciples hear what he says, and, realizing that he is pointing away from himself to Jesus, leave John to find out about Jesus…
John The People's Commentary - Destroy This Temple
John The People's Commentary - Destroy This Temple
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Destroy This Temple It is not only in his placing of the temple incident at the start of Jesus’ ministry that John differs from the other gospels. He also has this story concerning a saying of Jesus about the destruction of the temple…
John The People's Commentary - House Cleaning
John The People's Commentary - House Cleaning
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
House Cleaning Many signs in this gospel are followed by a debate to explain the sign’s purpose—as the story of the feeding of the five thousand leads into the discourse about Jesus as the Bread of Life (see on chapter 6 below). However, the first of Jesus’ signs, the changing of…
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Promises of the Spirit
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Promises of the Spirit
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
The PROMISE of the SPIRIT Jesus continues to reassure his disciples as several farewell themes are woven together in this next section. He reinforces the main point that he is going away, and yet will still be with them; this leads into a discussion of the relationship of the Fat…
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Show Us the Father
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Show Us the Father
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Show Us the Father Thomas misunderstood Jesus’ claim to be ‘the way, the truth and the life’ as a physical way to God. Jesus took him deeper into the spiritual relationship between himself and his Father, so that to know Jesus is to know the Father (14:6–7)…
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Jesus Prays for the Church
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Jesus Prays for the Church
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Jesus Prays for the Church ‘Jesus has prayed to return to the glory he shared with God his Father before the creation (17:1–5). He has also prayed for his disciples whom he will leave behind in the world, although they are not of the world; the key to this balancing act is found …
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - A Parting Gift
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - A Parting Gift
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
A Parting Gift Jesus explains to his disciples that, although he is going to leave them, he will still be with them through the Holy Spirit, revealing himself to them (14:21). Each time he has talked of going away, one of the disciples has asked a question for further clarificati…
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Do You Want to be Healed?
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Do You Want to be Healed?
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Do You Want to be Healed? This new chapter begins with the mention of ‘a feast of the Jews’ (5:1). Various Jewish feasts provide the backdrop for the next chapters: we have already seen one Passover in 2:13, and the next Passover happens in 6:4. Then the feast of Tabernacles is t…
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - BREAKFAST with JESUS
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - BREAKFAST with JESUS
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
BREAKFAST with JESUS Fishing was Peter’s idea but he has abandoned ship, leaving the others lurched over the side dragging the net in (21:8). When they come ashore, they find ‘a charcoal fire’. The use of anthrakia for the fire immediately recalls the high priest’s courtyard, whe…
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - They Have Taken Away The Lord
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - They Have Taken Away The Lord
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
They Have Taken Away The Lord The arrival of the Sabbath caused Jesus to be brought down from the cross and buried in a nearby tomb (19:42). Now it is early on Sunday, proi again, just before dawn, the time when they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate on Friday morning (18:28). M…
John THE PEOPLE’S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Water into Wine