INTRODUCTION
3
That John wrote for non-Jewish readers is at once evident, for it is
obvious that no Jew needed to be told that the `Passover' was a feast of
the Jews, or that `Rabboni' meant My Master. Here is further evidence
that non-Jewish readers are in view:
The world is the sphere of John's ministry.
The fact that Jewish customs are explained.
The rejection of the Lord by His own people is at the very
forefront of the Gospel.
No mention is made of the Lord's Supper, the New Covenant feast.
The ascension is emphasized.
The `Word' in John 1:1 is parallel with the `Image' in Colossians
1:15.
The prayer of John 17 is, among other things, that `the world' may
know.
Miracles are not mentioned as such; they are called `signs'.
Those readers who are not familiar with the Scriptural arguments
associated with the above summary are earnestly recommended to
consider what has been put forward in Vol. 20 of The Berean
Expositor. The question of viewpoint is most important in the study of
any part of the Scriptures.
The special `signs' recorded in John's Gospel, which are so intimately
associated by the writer with his message (20:31), are eight in number.
We give the structure here.
THE EIGHT SIGNS
A 2:1-11.THE MARRIAGE IN CANA.
The third day. No wine.
Glory manifested.
B 4:46-54. THE NOBLEMAN'S SON.
After two days. At the
point of death.
C 5:1-15.
THE IMPOTENT MAN
The
Pool
of
Bethesda.
Thirty-eight years.
Sabbath. Sin.