Copyright, 1903, by 56 FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY New York: 158 Fifth Avenue INTRODUCTION IT is the purpose of this volume to set forth the teaching of the Gospel that bears the name of John. The Epistles, though not directly included within the scope of the work, have been freely drawn upon; but no complete exposition of them has been attempted. The Apocalypse is so different in style and subject-matter that it demands separate treatment, and has served only by way of occasional illustration. Questions which pertain to introduction are not strictly germane to our purpose, which is purely exegetical and expository, concerned only with the analysis and exhibition of the material that the Gospel presents, from whateve. sources that material has been derived. Yet the authorship and the trustworthiness of the record are matters of such importance that they cannot be passed over without at least a word to indicate the point of view from which they are regarded in the study upon which we are about to enter. It is assumed that the Gospel is the work of the beloved disciple. This is amply attested by the voice of history, as is sufficiently shown, for example, by Prof. Ezra Abbot in his "Authorship of the Fourth Gospel," is confirmed by the 7 66 witness of the book itself, as is shown, with abundant reference to authorities, in the article John, Gospel of," in Hastings' Bible Dictionary; and however vigorously it is denied, may be regarded as one of the assured results of Biblical criticism. But the question remains, If the Gospel is the work of John, is it trustworthy? Is it veritable history, or the tender reveries of an old man, dreaming of days long past as the shadows of the evening gather about him, and mingling fact and fancy as men do in dreams? Neither space nor purpose permits detailed discussion; we must be content to indicate the course of the argument by which the trustworthiness of the record may be established. The main objection is drawn from the difference between the teaching of Jesus in this Gospel and that preserved by the earlier evangelists. The contrast is marked alike in matter and in method, as is noted in chapter four. In the earlier Gospels he speaks of the kingdom of heaven, or of God, here he speaks of himself. There he taught ordinarily in parable, here in long and elaborate discourse. His words there are of a popular and practical character, here they are mystical and profound. But each of the Gospels represents only a fragment of the most highly endowed and many-sided life that ever appeared on earth. In the course of the |