Sources and Related Works Jesus and the Message of the New Testament Joachim Jeremias Word Biblical Commentary-John (Volume 36) George R. Beasley-Murray The Deity of Christ Christopher Morgan Word and Glory: On the Exegetical and Theological Background of John’s Prologue Craig Evans Jesus and the Gospels Craig Blomberg

LESSON 1 HISTORY, BACKGROUND & CONTEXT OF JOHN’S PROLOGUE

Heresies Monarchianism Adoptionism Sabellianism Arianism Apollinarianism

Theologians and Philosophers Don’t Agree Reimarus (German Philosopher, 1694) “It was the disciples, therefore, who created the figure of Christ.” Reimarus’ portrayal of the historical Jesus was clearly absurd and amateurish. (Page 2)

Philosophy Rationalists – A preacher of morality Idealists – The ideal human Aesthetes – Master of words Socialists – Friend of the poor and Social Reformer Pseudo Scholars – Merely a Fictional Character

Jeremias The Gospels are not biographies but testimonies of faith. (Page 4) We cannot expect to understand who Jesus was when we create an expectation that cannot be met. The gospels do not prove who Jesus was, they simply declare it.

We must begin with the understanding that Christ “Is not just an idea or a theology taught by the Apostle Paul, but an actual person crucified because of his message.” (Page 6)

THE UNIQUE OPENING VERSE In the beginning was the Word And the Word was with God And the Word was God.

PARALLELISM STEP PARALLELISM

MARK 9:37 Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.

STROPHE A strophe is a grouping of verses of a poem that is connected by means of some kind of symmetry (sound, rhyme, thought).

The prologue is not primarily a dogmatic passage presenting us with Christo-logical speculations about Christ’s pre- existence... rather it is a hymnal exaltation, by the believing community, of God’s unspeakable gift through him in whom God’s glory has been revealed.

LESSON 2 THE TEXT OF THE PROLOGUE

John 1:1-18 (KJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. declared him. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

LESSON 3 John 1:1-18 Verse by Verse

John 1:1 (KJV) 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was (a) god.

Dana and Mantey: A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament (Page 140) The article (the) is used primarily to address the person or personality of God. (identity) The lack of the article addresses the essence or the very character of God. (essence)

Example An example might be thinking in terms of taking a glass of the Pacific Ocean water. I can say that I have Pacific Ocean water in a glass, but it would be false to say I have THE Pacific Ocean in my glass. What I have is the same quality and essence of the Pacific Ocean water, but not the identity of what we consider to be the Pacific Ocean. In this case it would be a difference of size or amount and not quality.

A Distinction There is a distinction between the Father and the Son. It is one of Person and not Character or Essence.

2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:4,5 (KJV) 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:6-8 (KJV) Strophe 2 (6-8) 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John 1:9-12 (KJV) Strophe 3 (9-13) 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man [flesh], but of God.

John 1:14-18 (KJV) Strophe 4 (14-18) 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:15 (KJV) 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John 1:16 (KJV) 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.

John 1:17 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:18 (KJV) 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

SUMMARY AND CLOSING JESUS MINISTRY WAS NOT TO REVEAL HIMSELF AS A PROPHET, THE DIVINE SON OF GOD, OR EVEN THE CHRIST (MESSIAH). The power of Jesus was not in his direct declaration of his Messiahship, but that such a recognition must come through faith to have any benefit for the believer. Jesus ministry was to reveal his Father’s love, forgiveness, and righteousness toward mankind.

JOHN 20:28 (KJV) 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

QUESTIONS 1.Can you explain verse 1 of the prologue in your own words? 2. How can Jesus be God if God is invisible? 3. What was John’s intention of writing this prologue?

4.What is the ultimate irony of the prologue? 5. What does the poetic structure tell us about the prologue?