Verses 1–4
Book Introduction - John
WRITER: The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John John 21:24. This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained.
DATE: The date of John's Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. Probably the latter.
THEME: This is indicated both in the Prologue ( 1:1-14), and in the last verse of the Gospel proper ( 20:31), and is: The incarnation of the eternal Word, and Son of life; (2) that as many as believe on Him as "the Christ, the Son of God" ( 20:31) may have eternal life. The prominent words are, "believed" and "life."
The book is in seven natural divisions:
Prologue: The eternal Word incarnate in Jesus the Christ, 1:1-14. The witness of John the Baptist, 1:15-34. The public ministry of Christ, 1:35-12:50. The private ministry of Christ to His own, 13:1-17:26. The sacrifice of Christ, 18:1-19:42. The manifestation of Christ in resurrection, 20:1-31. Epilogue: Christ the Master of life and service, 21:1-25.
The events recorded in this book cover a period of 7 years.
Word
Gr. "Logos" (arm. "Memra," used in the Targums, or Heb. paraphrases, for God). The Greek term means,
(1) a thought or concept; (2) the expression or utterance of that thought. As a designation of Christ, therefore, Logos is peculiarly felicitous because, (1) in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective "thought" of God 1 Corinthians 1:24; Ephesians 3:11; Colossians 2:2,3 and, (2) He is from eternity, but especially in His incarnation, the utterance or expression of the Person, and "thought" of Deity John 1:3-5,9,14-18; 14:9-11; Colossians 2:9.
In the Being, Person, and work of Christ, Deity is told out.
Verses 5–9
comprehended
Or, apprehended; lit. "laid not hold of it."
Verse 10
world
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8")
Verses 11–16
He came
i.e. He came unto his own things, and his own people received him not.
Verse 17
grace
Grace. Summary:
(1) Grace is "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man... not by works of righteousness which we have done" Titus 3:4,5.
It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man Romans 3:21,22; 8:4; Philemon 3:9. Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith ; John 1:17; Romans 10:4-10. Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad ; Exodus 19:5; Ephesians 2:1-9. Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift ; Deuteronomy 28:1-6; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 4:4,5.
(2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ Romans 3:24-26 4:24,25. The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation, ; John 1:12,13; 3:36; Matthew 21:37; 22:24; John 15:22,25; Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 5:10-12. The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile Acts 4:27. The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church: See "Apostasy" (See Scofield "2 Timothy 3:1") 2 Timothy 3:1-8 and the resultant apocalyptic judgments. (3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation Romans 3:24 and in the walk and service of the saved Romans 6:15.
See, for the other six dispensations:
Innocence, (See Scofield "Genesis 1:28")
Conscience, (See Scofield "Genesis 3:23")
Human Government, (See Scofield "Genesis 8:21")
Promise, (See Scofield "Genesis 12:1")
Law, (See Scofield "Exodus 19:8")
Kingdom, (See Scofield "Ephesians 1:10").
Verses 18–28
hath seen God
CF Genesis 32:20; Exodus 24:10; 33:18; Judges 6:22; 13:22; Revelation 22:4. The divine essence, God, veiled in angelic form, and especially as incarnate in Jesus Christ, has been seen of men. ; Genesis 18:2,22; John 14:8,9.
declared Lit. led him forth, i.e. into full revelation. John 14:9.
Verses 29–38
sins
Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").
Verses 39–50
Come The call to discipleship. Cf. Matthew 4:18-22 the call to service.
tenth hour That was two hours before night.
Verse 51
angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")