The Strand Study Bible

JOHN

Author: John The Beloved Theme: Christ (The Son of God) Book’s Main Character: Christ

About the Author: John, whose name means “gift of God,” was a Jew from the city of Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee. He and his father, Zebedee, and older brother, James (Mt 4:1) were fishermen. According to the Bible, they seemed to have made a good living at their trade (Mk 1:20 and Jn 19:27). His mother’s name was Salome. Immediately following the miracle of the draught of fishes, John and his brother James, became apostles (Lk 5:9-10). He, along with Peter and James, became one of the three apostles closest to Christ. John was probably the youngest of the disciples and lived the longest (until c. AD 100). While on the cross, Christ personally asked John to care for his earthly mother (Jn 19:26-27). Twelve years later, in AD 44, after Christ’s resurrection, John lost his brother (James) to martyrdom (Acts 12:12). Six years later in AD 50, he, Peter, Paul and others took part in settling the controversy of circumcision in Jerusalem (Acts 15 and Gal 2:9). Tradition tells us that John spent many years as pastor of the church at Ephesus. Then, in the latter years of his life, he was banished by the Roman government on a deserted island called Patmos. Later, God used him to write The Revelation (Rev 1:9 – AD 96). About the Book: John presents Christ as the Son of God (Jn 1:34, 49 & 6:69 & 10:36 & 11:27 & 20:28, 31), who was sent out from the Triune Godhead to be the Savior of the human race (Jn 20:31). The book of John contains seven miracles (Jn 2:1-11 & 4:46-54 & 5:1-18 & 6:6-13 & 6:16-21 & 9:1-7 & 11:1-45), but no parables, and emphasizes the deity of Christ more than anything else in his Gospel. The book of John covers 4 years (from AD 28-32). Notes of Interest: 1. John quotes the OT 16 times. 9 of those 16 quotes refer directly to CHRIST . 1 of those 16 quotes refers directly to the HOLY SPIRIT . Note - Psalms is the OT book most often quoted in the book of John ( 9 quotations). 2. Prophecies are referred to 72 times in John . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 47 of those 72 times. 4. Prophecies concerning the HOLY SPIRIT are referred to 14 of those 72 times. 5. There are 10 different OT characters referenced in the book of John . Note - Moses is the OT character most often referenced in the book of John ( 12 times) 6. There are 7 inset maps used in the book of John . They are numbered chronologically (#8-10,12,26,27,30). Outline of John : 1. The life of Christ (Jn 1-18) 2. The crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ (Jn 19-21) John 1 The pre-existent CHRIST 7 The same came for a witness, 8 to bear witness of the LIGHT , that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that LIGHT , but was sent to bear witness of that LIGHT .

1. Jn 1:14 & Rev 19:13 2. I Jn 5:20 & Jn 5:17-18 & 10:30-33 & Titus 2:13 3. Jn 17:5 & I Jn 1:1 4. Colo 1:16-17 & Heb 1:2 & Psa 33:6 5. I Jn 5:20 6. Psa 27:1 & Isa 42:6 & 49:6 & Lk 2:30-32 & Acts 13:47 7. that is, “did not overcome the Light ” 8. Isa 40:3-5 & Mal 3:1 9. or, “the Jews” - Mt 2:1-2 10. that is, “receive Christ, like a gift” - Rom 6:23 & Eph 2:8-9 11. or, “authority” 12. or, “born-again” - Jn 3:1-7 & I Pet 1:23 & I Jn 5:1 13. or, “God’s Word - I Pet 1:23)

1 In the beginning was the 1 WORD , and the WORD was with God, and the 2 WORD was God. 2 The 3 SAME was in the beginning with God. 3 4 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 5 In him was life; and the life was the 6 LIGHT of men. 5 And the LIGHT shineth in darkness; and the darkness 7 comprehended IT not. Introduction to John the Baptist Date - AD 28/AM 4028 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

9 That was the true LIGHT , which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, 4 and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his 9 own received him not. 12 But as many as 10 received him, to them gave he 11 power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were 12 born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of 13 God.

1:1 a John here begins his gospel in eternity past ( In the beginning ), wherein CHRIST dwelt. According to John 1:1, the WORD was already in existence when time began ( Gen 1:1 b , Isa 9:6-7 & 48:16, Mic 5:2, Hab 1:12, Psa 102:25-27, Heb 1:10-12, Jn 1:15,30 & 17:5, I Cor 8:6, Eph 3:9, Colo 1:15-17, I Pet 1:19-20, I Jn 1:1-2 and Rev 1:8,11 & 13:8 & 22:13). Thus, the Word has always been with us because it existed before us. Just because it wasn’t written down doesn’t mean it wasn’t passed down (Read Job’s Intro). 1:1 b How much plainer does God have to make it? Either God preserved His Word ( and the Word was with God ) or He didn’t. 1711