Commentaries
Arabic
- إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير متى
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير مَرْقُس
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إِنْجِيْلُ المَسِيْحِِِ حسبَ البَشير يُوْحَنَّا
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - أعمال الرسل حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُولِ إِلَى أَهْلِ رُوْمِيَة
(عَبدُ المَسِيْح وزُمَلاؤه) - رسالة بُوْلُس الرَّسُوْل إلى أهْلِ غَلاَطِيَّة
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - رِسالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُول إِلَى أَهْلِ كَنِيْسَةِ فِيْلِبِّي
(عبد المَسِيْح وزملاؤه) - رِسالةُ بولس الرَّسول إِلَى الكَنِيْسَةِ في كُوْلُوْسِّيْ
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالَةِ بولس الرَّسول إلى العِبْرَانِيِّيْنَ
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رِسَالةُ يَعْقُوب
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رُؤْيا يوحنا اللاهوتي
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه)
English
- The Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Mark
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Luke
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to John
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Acts of the Apostles
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
German
- Die Offenbarung des Johannes
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
PREFACE
PART I
THE SHINING OF THE DIVINE LIGHT
(JOHN 1:1 – 4:54)
THE SHINING OF THE DIVINE LIGHT
(JOHN 1:1 – 4:54)
A – THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD OF GOD IN JESUS
(JOHN 1:1-18)
1. The essence and work of the word before incarnation
(John 1:1-5)
(JOHN 1:1-18)
1. The essence and work of the word before incarnation
(John 1:1-5)
2. The Baptist prepares the way of Christ
(John 1:6-13)
(John 1:6-13)
3. The fullness of God appeared in the incarnation
(John 1:14-18)
(John 1:14-18)
B – CHRIST LEADS HIS DISCIPLES FROM THE SPHERE OF REPENTANCE TO THE JOY OF THE WEDDING
(JOHN 1:19 – 2:12)
1. A delegation from the Sanhedrin questions the Baptist
(John 1:19-28)
(JOHN 1:19 – 2:12)
1. A delegation from the Sanhedrin questions the Baptist
(John 1:19-28)
2. More stirring testimonies of the Baptist to Christ
(John 1:29-34)
(John 1:29-34)
3. The first six disciples
(John 1:35-51)
(John 1:35-51)
4. Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana
(John 2:1–12)
(John 2:1–12)
C – CHRIST’S FIRST VISIT TO JERUSALEM
(JOHN 2:13 – 4:54)
1. The cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13-22)
(JOHN 2:13 – 4:54)
1. The cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13-22)
2. Jesus speaks with Nicodemus
(John 2:23 – 3:21)
a) People lean towards Jesus
(John 2:23-25)
(John 2:23 – 3:21)
a) People lean towards Jesus
(John 2:23-25)
b) The need for a new birth
(John 3:1-13)
(John 3:1-13)
c) The cross, agent of rebirth
(John 3:14–16)
(John 3:14–16)
d) Rejecting Christ leads to Judgement
(John 3:17-21)
(John 3:17-21)
3. The Baptist testifies to Jesus the Bridegroom
(John 3:22–36)
(John 3:22–36)
4. Jesus in Samaria
(John 4:1–42)
a) Jesus leads the adulteress to repentance
(John 4:1-26)
(John 4:1–42)
a) Jesus leads the adulteress to repentance
(John 4:1-26)
b) Jesus leads his disciples to see the ready harvest
(John 4:27-38)
(John 4:27-38)
c) Evangelism in Samaria
(John 4:39–42)
(John 4:39–42)
5. Healing of the court official’s son
(John 4:43-54)
(John 4:43-54)
PART II
LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS
(JOHN 5:1 – 11:54)
LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS
(JOHN 5:1 – 11:54)
A – SECOND JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
(JOHN 5:1-47)
1. Healing of the paralytic at Bethesda
(John 5:1-16)
(JOHN 5:1-47)
1. Healing of the paralytic at Bethesda
(John 5:1-16)
2. God works with His Son
(John 5:17-20)
(John 5:17-20)
3. Christ raises the dead and judges the world
(John 5:20-30)
(John 5:20-30)
4. The four witnesses to Christ’s deity
(John 5:31-40)
(John 5:31-40)
5. The reason for unbelief
(John 5:41-47)
(John 5:41-47)
B – JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE
(JOHN 6:1-71)
1. Feeding the five thousand
(John 6:1-13)
(JOHN 6:1-71)
1. Feeding the five thousand
(John 6:1-13)
2. Jesus withdraws from the clamor for his crowning
(John 6:14-15)
(John 6:14-15)
3. Jesus comes to his disciples in distress
(John 6:16-21)
(John 6:16-21)
4. Jesus offers people the choice, “Accept or Reject!”
(John 6:22-59)
(John 6:22-59)
- 6:22-6:25
- 6:26-6:27
- 6:28-6:29
- 6:30-6:33
- 6:34-6:35
- 6:36-6:40
- 6:41-6:42
- 6:43-6:46
- 6:47-6:50
- 6:51-6:51
- 6:52-6:56
- 6:57-6:59
5. The sifting out of the disciples
(John 6:59-71)
(John 6:59-71)
C – JESUS’ LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
(JOHN 7:1 – 11:54)
1. The words of Jesus at the feast of tabernacles
(John 7:1 – 8:59)
a) Jesus and his brothers
(John 7:1-13)
(JOHN 7:1 – 11:54)
1. The words of Jesus at the feast of tabernacles
(John 7:1 – 8:59)
a) Jesus and his brothers
(John 7:1-13)
b) Disparate views on Jesus among the people and the high council
(John 7:14-63)
(John 7:14-63)
- 7:14-7:18
- 7:19-7:20
- 7:21-7:24
- 7:25-7:27
- 7:28-7:30
- 7:31-7:32
- 7:33-7:36
- 7:37-7:38
- 7:39
- 7:40-7:44
- 7:45-7:48
- 7:50-7:52
c) Legalists bring an adulteress to Jesus for trial
(John 8:1-11)
(John 8:1-11)
d) Jesus the light of the world
(John 8:12-29)
(John 8:12-29)
e) Sin is bondage
(John 8:30-36)
(John 8:30-36)
f) The devil, murderer and liar
(John 8:37-47)
(John 8:37-47)
g) Christ exists before Abraham
(John 8:48-59)
(John 8:48-59)
2. Healing the man born blind
(John 9:1-41)
a) Healing on the Sabbath
(John 9:1-12)
(John 9:1-41)
a) Healing on the Sabbath
(John 9:1-12)
b) The Jews interrogate the healed man
(John 9:13–34)
(John 9:13–34)
c) Jesus reveals himself as God’s Son to the healed one
(John 9:35–41)
(John 9:35–41)
3. Jesus the Good Shepherd
(John 10:1–39)
a) The sheep hear the voice of the true shepherd
(John 10:1-6)
(John 10:1–39)
a) The sheep hear the voice of the true shepherd
(John 10:1-6)
b) Jesus is the authentic door
(John 10:7-10)
(John 10:7-10)
c) Jesus is the Good Shepherd
(John 10:11–21)
(John 10:11–21)
d) Our security in the union of Father and Son
(John 10:22-30)
(John 10:22-30)
e) The Son of God in the Father and the Father in him
(John 10:31-36)
(John 10:31-36)
4. The raising of Lazarus and the outcome
(John 10:40 – 11:54)
a) Jesus across the Jordan
(John 10:40 – 11:16)
(John 10:40 – 11:54)
a) Jesus across the Jordan
(John 10:40 – 11:16)
b) Jesus meets Martha and Mary
(John 11:17-33)
(John 11:17-33)
c) The raising of Lazarus
(John 11:34-44)
(John 11:34-44)
d) The Jewish council sentences Jesus to death
(John 11:45-54)
(John 11:45-54)
PART III
LIGHT SHINES IN THE CIRCLE OF THE APOSTLES
(JOHN 11:55 – 17:26)
LIGHT SHINES IN THE CIRCLE OF THE APOSTLES
(JOHN 11:55 – 17:26)
A – PRELUDE TO HOLY WEEK
(JOHN 11:55 – 12:50)
1. Jesus anointed in Bethany
(John 11:55 – 12:8)
(JOHN 11:55 – 12:50)
1. Jesus anointed in Bethany
(John 11:55 – 12:8)
2. Jesus enters Jerusalem
(John 12:9–19)
(John 12:9–19)
3. The Greeks seek Jesus’ acquaintance
(John 12:20-26)
(John 12:20-26)
4. The Father glorified amid the tumult
(John 12:27-36)
(John 12:27-36)
5. Men harden themselves towards judgement
(John 12:37-50)
(John 12:37-50)
B – EVENTS THAT FOLLOW THE LORD’S SUPPER
(JOHN 13:1-38)
1. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet
(John 13:1–17)
(JOHN 13:1-38)
1. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet
(John 13:1–17)
2. The traitor exposed and disconcerted
(John 13:18-32)
(John 13:18-32)
3. The new commandment for the church
(John 13:33-35)
(John 13:33-35)
4. Christ predicts Peter’s denial
(John 13:36-38)
(John 13:36-38)
C – FAREWELL ADDRESS IN THE UPPER ROOM
(JOHN 14:1–31)
1. God is present in Christ
(John 14:1–11)
(JOHN 14:1–31)
1. God is present in Christ
(John 14:1–11)
2. The Holy Trinity descends on believers by the Comforter
(John 14:12–25)
(John 14:12–25)
3. Christ’s farewell peace
(John 14:26-31)
(John 14:26-31)
D – THE FAREWELL ON THE WAY TO GETHSEMANE
(JOHN 15:1 – 16:33)
1. Abiding in Christ brings much fruit
(John 15:1–8)
(JOHN 15:1 – 16:33)
1. Abiding in Christ brings much fruit
(John 15:1–8)
2. Our abiding in the Father’s fellowship appears in mutual love
(John 15:9-17)
(John 15:9-17)
3. The world hates Christ and his disciples
(John 15:18 – 16:3)
(John 15:18 – 16:3)
4. The Holy Spirit reveals history’s most significant developments
(John 16:4-15)
(John 16:4-15)
5. Christ predicts the joy of the disciples in the resurrection feast
(John 16:16-24)
(John 16:16-24)
6. Christ’s peace in us defeats the world’s afflictions
(John 16:25-33)
(John 16:25-33)
E – JESUS’ INTERCESSORY PRAYER
(JOHN 17:1–26)
1. Introduction to the intercessory prayer
(JOHN 17:1–26)
1. Introduction to the intercessory prayer
2. The prayer for the Father’s glory
(John 17:1-5)
(John 17:1-5)
3. Jesus intercedes for his apostles
(John 17:6-19)
(John 17:6-19)
4. Jesus intercedes for the church’s unity
(John 17:20-26)
(John 17:20-26)
PART IV
LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS
(JOHN 18:1 – 21:25)
LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS
(JOHN 18:1 – 21:25)
A – EVENTS FROM THE ARREST TO THE BURIAL
(JOHN 18:1 – 19:42)
1. Jesus arrested in the garden
(John 18:1-14)
(JOHN 18:1 – 19:42)
1. Jesus arrested in the garden
(John 18:1-14)
2. Jesus questioned before Annas and Peter’s threefold denial
(John 18:15–21)
(John 18:15–21)
3. The civil trial before the Roman governor
(John 18:28 – 19:16)
a) The charge against Christ’s royal claims
(John 18:28-38)
(John 18:28 – 19:16)
a) The charge against Christ’s royal claims
(John 18:28-38)
b) The choice between Jesus and Barabbas
(John 18:39-40)
(John 18:39-40)
c) The flogging of Jesus before his accusers
(John 19:1-5)
(John 19:1-5)
d) Pilate awed by Christ’s divine nature
(John 19:6-12)
(John 19:6-12)
e) Pilate’s unjust sentence on Jesus
(Jesus 19 :12-16)
(Jesus 19 :12-16)
4. The cross and the death of Jesus
(John 19:16b-42)
a) Crucifixion and the grave clothes
(John 19:16b-22)
(John 19:16b-42)
a) Crucifixion and the grave clothes
(John 19:16b-22)
b) Dividing the garments and casting the lots
(John 19:23-24)
(John 19:23-24)
c) Christ’s word to his mother
(John 19:25-27)
(John 19:25-27)
d) The consummation
(John 19:28-30)
(John 19:28-30)
e) Piercing Jesus’ side
(John 19:31-37)
(John 19:31-37)
f) Burial of Jesus
(John 19:38-42)
(John 19:38-42)
B – THE RESURRECTION AND APPEARANCES OF CHRIST
(JOHN 20:1 – 21:25)
1. Events at the Passover dawn (Easter)
(John 20:1-10)
a) Mary Magdalene at the graveside
(John 20:1-2)
(JOHN 20:1 – 21:25)
1. Events at the Passover dawn (Easter)
(John 20:1-10)
a) Mary Magdalene at the graveside
(John 20:1-2)
b) Peter and John race to the tomb
(John 20:3-10)
(John 20:3-10)
c) Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene
(John 20:11-18)
(John 20:11-18)
2. Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room
(John 20:19-23)
(John 20:19-23)
3. Jesus appears to the disciples with Thomas
(John 20:24-29)
(John 20:24-29)
4. Conclusion of John’s gospel
(John 20:30-31)
(John 20:30-31)
5. Jesus appears by the lake
(John 21:1-25)
a) The miraculous catch of fishes
(John 21:1-14)
(John 21:1-25)
a) The miraculous catch of fishes
(John 21:1-14)
b) Peter confirmed in the service of the flock
(John 21:15-19)
(John 21:15-19)
c) Future predictions of Jesus
(John 21:20-23)
(John 21:20-23)
d) The witness of John and his gospel
(John 21:24-25)
(John 21:24-25)
The priests knew about the cleansing of the temple and the wails of the traders, so they rushed to Jesus and asked, "Who gave you the right to do this? Who sent you? Give us solid proof for your authority." They did not object to the cleansing; they felt that Jesus was not acting out of human anger, but out of holy zeal for the honor of God’s house, to bring back the Spirit of worship in truth for the multitude; rather they wished to ascertain the reasons and motives that moved him. So Jesus became a foe in their eyes, because he sought to reform the temple without recourse to their priestly organizations.
Jesus rebuked them for their hypocritical worship, because they preferred the tumult of worshippers en masse, and the power of wealth to the calm of God’s presence. With foresight Jesus saw the destruction of the temple as a result of superficial worship and their ignorance. Organized religious rites and preset motions do not save men, rather it is the change of hearts by God’s saving truth that transforms.
This saving presence was incarnate standing in their midst. Jesus is the true Temple. God was in Christ present there. As if Jesus was saying, "Destroy the temple of my body, because you cannot stand my zeal for God. You will do the impossible and wreck this Temple, but I will raise that body in three days; I will arise from the tomb. You will kill me, but I am alive, for I am Life itself, God in the flesh. You cannot kill me." Thus did Jesus proclaim his resurrection implicitly. This resurrection is to the present day the greatest of his miracles.
Delegates from the high priest did not understand this parable about the temple. They stared at the marble columns and gilded domes, and assumed that Jesus had blasphemed at the divine dwelling place, built by Herod during 46 years. They spoke of stones, he meant his body. These essential discussions at the start of his ministry emerged once more at his trial before the Sanhedrin, twisted with the help of false witnesses.
Clearly the Old Testament people failed to grasp the sense of the new faith which Christ initiated. Not even the disciples understood the deeper meanings of this new religion, not until Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then they realized how the Son has atoned for sins and rose again.
Today he is with us in the spiritual Temple of which we are living stones. The Holy Spirit illumined the disciples to discover in the ancient Scriptures meanings, illumined in the saying of Jesus. They stayed firm in the faith, and together became God’s Holy Temple.