Preaching the Gospel of John: Proclaiming the Living Word

by Lamar Williamson Jr.

Overview

In this accessible treatment of the major themes of the Gospel of John, renowned New Testament scholar Lamar Williamson blends the best of biblical scholarship and a close reading of the Fourth Gospel to meet the practical needs of weekly preaching. A more reflective Gospel in which the risen Jesus speaks in signs and discourses, John does not simply tell stories, but allows us to experience the Word and to see Jesus offering living water to the aridity of the institutional church and bread to the hungry hearts of individual disciples. More than mere exposition, Preaching the Gospel of John includes at the end of each passage three to five possibilities for preaching the text—creative and pertinent suggestions that can help preachers apply the words of the Fourth Gospel to the lives of today's churchgoers. Proclaiming the living Word is a major theme of the Gospel of John, and this clear and insightful commentary captures that message in the preaching moment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664225339
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	01/01/2004
Pages:	354
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Lamar Williamson Jr. is Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. His published works include Preaching the Gospel of John and Mark in the Interpretation commentary series, both published by WJK.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	xi
	The Prologue (1:1-18)	1
Part 1	Meeting the Living Word (1:19-12:50)	11
	First Witness, First Disciples, First Encounters (1:19-3:36)	13
	The First Witness: John the Baptist (1:19-34)	13
	The First Disciples: Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael (1:35-51)	16
	The First Sign: Water into Wine (2:1-12)	22
	The First Confrontation: Jesus and the Temple Authorities (2:13-22)	28
	Reactions to Jesus (2:23-25)	31
	Jesus' Encounter with Nicodemus (3:1-21)	33
	Jesus and John: First Summary (3:22-36)	40
	Responses to the Coming of the Light (4:1-12:50)	46
	The Samaritan Woman (4:1-42)	46
	Transition: From Samaria to Galilee (4:43-45)	54
	The Royal Official's Son (4:46-54)	55
	The Paralytic by the Pool (5:1-18)	57
	The Second Confrontation: Does Jesus Claim Equality with God? (5:19-47)	61
	Overview of Chapter 6 (6:1-71)	66
	Jesus Feeds Five Thousand People and Walks on the Sea (6:1-21)	67
	The Crowd's Search for Bread (6:22-35)	73
	"I Am the Bread of Life" (6:35-51)	77
	"Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood" (6:52-59)	83
	Responses of Disciples (6:60-71)	86
	Jesus at the Festival of Booths (7:1-8:59)	91
	Transition from Galilee to Jerusalem (7:1-13)	91
	Encounter and Reponse at the Festival of Booths (7:14-52)	93
	A Sinful Woman and Her Sinful Accusers (7:53-8:11)	98
	The Light of the World: Confrontation in the Temple (8:12-59)	103
	The Beggar Blind from Birth (9:1-41)	110
	The Metaphor of the Sheepfold (10:1-21)	118
	Review of the Argument (10:22-42)	124
	The Raising of Lazarus (11:1-44)	130
	The Decision to Kill Jesus (11:45-57)	138
	The Anointing at Bethany (12:1-11)	142
	Jesus Enters Jerusalem (12:12-19)	146
	"The Hour Has Come" (12:20-36)	149
	Entr'acte (12:37-50)	155
Part 2	Words to Live by (13:1-17:26)	161
	Preliminary Remarks	163
	The Last Supper, Footwashing, and Prediction of Betrayal 13:1-30	164
	The Farewell Discourse (13:31-16:33)	172
	Introduction (13:31-38)	172
	Table Talk (14:1-31)	177
	Departure and Reassurance (14:1-14)	177
	The Promise of the Holy Spirit (14:15-31)	188
	Expanded Discourse (15:1-16:4a)	194
	The Allegory of the Vine and Branches (15:1-8)	194
	The Love Commandment (15:9-17)	199
	The World's Hatred (15:18-16:4a)	205
	Recapitulation (16:4b-33)	208
	The Departure of Jesus and the Coming of the Advocate (16:4b-15)	209
	Conclusion: Joy and Peace (16:16-33)	213
	The Great Prayer (17:1-26)	219
	Jesus Prays for Himself: "Father, Glorify Me" (17:1-5)	219
	Jesus Prays for His First Disciples (17:6-19)	222
	Jesus Prays for His Future Disciples and Concludes His Prayer (17:20-26)	229
Part 3	The Word That Does Not Die (18:1-20:31)	235
	Passion Narrative (18:1-19:42)	237
	Betrayal and Arrest (18:1-12)	240
	Interrogation by the High Priest and Denial by Peter (18:13-27)	244
	Trial before Pilate (18:28-19:16a)	249
	Death and Burial (19:16b-42)	262
	Resurrection Narratives and First Ending (20:1-31)	274
	The Empty Tomb and the Appearance to Mary Magdalene (20:1-18)	275
	Appearances to the Disciples and to Thomas (20:19-29)	281
	First Ending (20:30-31)	286
	Epilogue (21:1-25)	291
	Final Recognition Scene (21:1-14)	292
	Jesus' Final Conversation with Peter (21:15-23)	296
	Second Ending (21:24-25)	301
	Afterword	304
	Notes	317
	Glossary	333
	Select Bibliography	341