A Simple Guide to John

By (author) Paul J. McCarren, SJ

Publication date:

21 November 2012

Length of book:

198 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

226x144mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781442218789

The Gospel writers state they aim to tell the story of Jesus in a clear manner, but throughout Paul McCarren’s years in ministry, he has seen that these simple and important messages are too often missed. In his Simple Guides to the Gospels series, McCarren provides a new translation of each Gospel book, leading readers chapter by chapter through the text. Each section includes scripture and a brief, engaging commentary about how readers can relate to the material. The Simple Guides introduce readers to life in early Christianity, describe points of controversy, and show how each section fits with those that went before. The Simple Guide to Matthew highlights many of Jesus’ compelling sayings, stories such as the Sermon on the Mount, and key themes of Jesus’ ministry, such as trust.

The books in the Simple Guides to the Gospels series are available individually or together as a complete set.

Introduction
Who needs a simple guide to John's Gospel?
A simple message
Some big questions addressed by John's Gospel
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 - Early Days Near the Jordan; the First Followers
1:1-18 - The evangelist’s introduction
1:19-28 - John the Baptist is challenged by the Jerusalem authorities
1:29-34 - The Baptist recognizes Jesus as “the Lamb of God”
1:35-42 - Jesus attracts disciples
1:43-51 - Jesus tries to raise his disciples’ expectations

Chapter 2 - Jesus at a Wedding in Galilee; Jesus Visiting Jerusalem
2:1-12 - God’s glory revealed in Jesus’ response to a need at Cana
2:13-25 - During Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus challenges merchants in the Temple

Chapter 3 - Nicodemus is Baffled - Comments - the Baptist’s Disciples are Baffled - Comments
3:1-15 - Jesus, in Jerusalem, points out Nicodemus’ lack of faith
3:16-21 - The evangelist comments on Jesus’ desire to give us divine light
3:22-30 - John the Baptist tells his disciples to delight in Jesus’ teaching
3:31-36 - The evangelist comments about Jesus’ words

Chapter 4 - Acceptance by Samaritans; Acceptance by a Royal Official
4:1-26 - A Samaritan woman is invited to believe in Jesus . . .
4:27-30 . . . The woman gives witness to her belief
4:31-45 - Jesus visits the woman’s town
4:46-54 - One of Herod’s officials believes Jesus’ teaching because of a healing

Chapter 5 - Jerusalem Authorities Shocked by Jesus’ Belief in His Relationship with God
5:1-16 - Jesus heals a sick man on the Sabbath – Protests
5:17-30 - Jesus defends his work as God’s work
5:31-47 - Jesus continues to defend his relationship with the Father

Chapter 6 - Jesus Scandalizes His Fellow Galileans with the Gift of Himself
6:1-15 - By giving thanks to God, Jesus feeds a hungry crowd
6:16-21 - Jesus tells his disciples there is no need to fear
6:22-35 - The well-fed crowd wants free food, not divine food
6:35-51 - The crowd won’t believe Jesus’ offer to feed them true bread
6:51-59 - Jesus pleads with the crowd to let him feed them properly
6:60-71 - Even some disciples refuse Jesus’ offer

Chapter 7 - In Jerusalem, Jesus Again Proclaims God Is the Only Source of Life
7:1-31 - Jesus rejects worldly success; in Jerusalem, he preaches scripture
7:32-36 - The authorities want Jesus arrested; people still listen
7:37-53 - Jesus says he’s the source of living water; some believe, some don’t

Chapter 8 - Jesus, Still in Jerusalem, Is Heckled and Threatened
8:1-11 - Jesus is asked to make a judgment based on the Law
8:12-20 - Jesus once more defends his right to teach
8:21-30 - Jesus teaches that sin–turning from God–is death
8:30-43 - Discipleship described as a struggle with sin
8:44-59 - Jesus teaches about wickedness; the crowd rejects his teaching

Chapter 9 - Jesus Teaches by Healing a Blind Man
9:1-12 - Jesus and his disciples encounter a blind man
9:13-23 - Interrogation of the man who had been born blind
9:24-34 - The interrogation continues
9:35-41 - Jesus asks the newly-sighted man if he believes

Chapter 10 - Jesus Asks His Listeners Whom They Want to Follow; Another Feast
10:1-10 - Even sheep know whom to follow
10:11-21 - Jesus describes himself as the perfect shepherd
10:22-30 - Jesus, in Jerusalem for another feast, offers divine life
10:31-42 - Jesus’ offer of divine life rejected

Chapter 11- Jesus Calls Lazarus to Life; the Authorities Plot Jesus’ Death
11:1-16 - Jesus’ disciples are puzzled by his reaction to Lazarus’ illness
11:17-31 - Jesus asks Martha if she believes
11:32-44 - Jesus again gives thanks to the Father, so the crowd might believe
11:45-57 - Rejecting belief; seeking death

Chapter 12 - Jesus Returns to Friends in Bethany; Faces Threats in Jerusalem
12:1-11 - Jesus’ dinner with friends causes mixed feelings
12:12-19 - Jesus dares to enter Jerusalem
12:20-36 - Greeks want to meet Jesus; Jesus embraces glory; the crowd is unsure
12:37-43 - John puts Jesus’ failure into the context of scripture
12:44-50 - Jesus’ soliloquy about teaching

Chapter 13 - Jesus Gathers with His Disciples for a Supper
13:1-15 - Jesus washes his disciples’ feet
13:16-20 - Jesus explains service
13:21-30 - Jesus explains betrayal
13:31-38 - Jesus speaks of love; Peter speaks of loyalty

Chapter 14 – At Supper, Jesus Teaches about Trust, and Says the Spirit will Do the Same
14:1-14 - Jesus advises the disciples to let God work in them
14:15-31 - Those who follow Jesus’ instructions will be filled with the Spirit

Chapter 15 - Jesus Says: You’re Part of Me; I Love You; Love One Another, not the World
15:1-10 - Jesus describes the disciples’ relationship to him and the Father
15:11-17 - Jesus tells the disciples to learn to love as he does
15:18-27 - The world has a different idea of love

Chapter 16 - Another Promise to Send the Spirit; More Words of Encouragement
16:1-11 - Jesus says it’s right for him to go, and for the Spirit to come
16:12-24 - Jesus assures the disciples that their sorrow will turn to joy
16:25-33 - Jesus says the disciples still have much to learn

Chapter 17 - Jesus Once More Looks to the Father
17:1-5 - Jesus looks to the Father for glory
17:6-19 - Jesus prays for his disciples
17:20-26 - Jesus prays for all who believe

Chapter 18 - Jesus is Arrested, Abandoned by Friends, and Brought to Trial
18:1-14 - Arrest
18:15-19 - Peter denies knowing Jesus
18:20-24 - Jesus’ trial begins
18:25-27 - Peter again denies knowing Jesus
18:28-32 - The Jewish authorities bring Jesus before Pilate
18:33-40 - Pilate speaks with Jesus, then speaks with the Jews

Chapter 19 - Jesus is Tortured, Executed, and Buried
19:1-8 - Pilate tries to mollify the crowd with torture
19:9-16 - Pilate abandons control of the judicial proceeding
19:17-27 - Jesus is crucified
19:28-37 - Jesus dies
19:38-42 - Jesus is buried

Chapter 20 - The Tomb is Empty; Jesus Appears to His Disciples
20:1-10 - Jesus is not in the tomb
20:11-18 - Mary Magdalene sees Jesus
20:19-31 - Jesus appears to other disciples

Chapter 21 - A Variation on Jesus’ Commission to His Disciples
21:1-14 - Daily business and divine business
21:15-25 - Jesus gives a commission to Peter, and to us

Index

Rather than follow the standard form of Bible commentaries, which often don’t reproduce the passages under consideration, Father McCarren presents each of the four Gospels piece by piece, accompanied by his helpful explanations to the texts. With a Simple Guide to the Gospels, readers will be able to make their way through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in order, along with the author’s insights on every page. Reading these books is like studying the Gospels with a learned, literate, and lively guide who will help you better understand the most important books ever written.