This pioneering commentary embraces the full scope and themes raised in John’s Gospel, offering an engaging and perceptive reading. Mark Edwards explores a diverse range of excerpts and creative responses, with particular emphasis on the treatment of the Gospel in English poetry.
- Explores the diverse themes and issues raised in John’s Gospel, and considers its influence on figures from Saint Augustine, to Dorothy Sayers and Bob Dylan.
- Treats well-known interpreters such as Thomas Aquinas along with lesser-known figures such as the Gnostic Heracleon, and the sixth-century hymn-writer, Romanos.
- Brings ancient and modern commentators into dialogue with each other, and takes a critical stance towards some parallels drawn by modern scholars between the Gospel and the surrounding pagan culture.
- Features excerpts from a wide variety of poets who give a creative interpretation of John’s Gospel, and considers many artistic representations.
- Suggests that imaginative response can illuminate a reading of the Bible where purely critical and historical analysis has proved unsatisfactory.
- An accessible introduction and extensive section notes address interpretations of the Gospel from antiquity to the present.
- Published as part of the ground-breaking Blackwell Bible Commentaries series.
More information about this series is available from the Blackwell Bible Commentaries website at http://www.bbibcomm.net/
Table of Content
List of Illustrations.
Series Editors’ Preface.
Acknowledgements.
List of Abbreviations.
Introduction: the Gospel and its Interpreters.
Christ the Word: John 1.1-18.
The Baptist’s Testimony: John 1.19-51.
Symbols of Purity: Chapter 2.
The New Birth: John 2.23-4.2.
The Samaritan: Chapter 4.
Two Healings and their Aftermath: 4.46-5.47.
Bread from Heaven: Chapter 6.
Ministry in Jerusalem: Chapters 7 and 8.
Parables of the Messiah: Chapters 9 and 10.
The Raising of Lazarus: Chapter 11.
Preparing for Death: Chapters 12 and 13.
Christ and Spirit: Chapter 14.
Valedictory: Chapters 15-17.
Arrest and Trial: Chapter 18.
The Crucifixion: Chapter 19.
The Resurrection: Chapter 20.
The Final Commission: Chapter 21.
Bibliography.
Index
About the author
Mark Edwards is Tutor in Theology and Lecturer in Patristics at Christ Church College, University of Oxford. He is the author or translator of numerous volumes, including Origen against Plato (2002).