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neilrcoulter's review
5.0
Another excellent volume of N. T. Wright's "For Everyone" guides to the books of the New Testament. I've loved working through this book with our evening Bible study group, and I look forward to the second volume of John's gospel.
John shows us the "signposts" of Jesus's ministry, challenging us to ask questions and really listen to the answers Jesus gives. As the gospel moves forward, Jesus faces more and more intense scrutiny and criticism, and again and again he turns what is initially meant to be a trial against him into a case against those who are attacking him. The questions thrown at him are the same that we all still wrestle with today: Sure, you do good things—but are you really the son of God? If so, how is that possible? And what does it mean for our understanding of the world and our place in it?
Throughout John's gospel, we see that Jesus always has time for people who come to him sincerely wanting to know him and be close to him. But those who only want to confirm their own authority and power, find his responses much different.
Wright's commentary brings out all of these themes, section by section, in a personable and engaging way. The end result is that I am totally in awe of Jesus and eager to keep learning more.
John shows us the "signposts" of Jesus's ministry, challenging us to ask questions and really listen to the answers Jesus gives. As the gospel moves forward, Jesus faces more and more intense scrutiny and criticism, and again and again he turns what is initially meant to be a trial against him into a case against those who are attacking him. The questions thrown at him are the same that we all still wrestle with today: Sure, you do good things—but are you really the son of God? If so, how is that possible? And what does it mean for our understanding of the world and our place in it?
Throughout John's gospel, we see that Jesus always has time for people who come to him sincerely wanting to know him and be close to him. But those who only want to confirm their own authority and power, find his responses much different.
Wright's commentary brings out all of these themes, section by section, in a personable and engaging way. The end result is that I am totally in awe of Jesus and eager to keep learning more.
yakihammer's review against another edition
3.0
I was using this as a reference for my sermon prep (I'm preaching through John's gospel). It's a little too devotionally minded for my purposes, hence the lower ranking. Not a bad book, just not what I needed.
jmanchester0's review against another edition
2.0
After reading Wright's commentary on Matthew, I was a little disappointed in this one. It was a bit bland; it seems like Matthew was a bit more challenging.
This one seemed more dumbed down on one hand, but on the other, it had more trite,"evangelical"-like language that people new to the Gospels wouldn't understand. Like it was written for long-time Christians, but Christians who don't like to think.
Wright's arguments were poorer in this book, and his stories were less fitting. The analogies left a lot more to be desired.
I don't know; maybe John is just a tougher book.
This one seemed more dumbed down on one hand, but on the other, it had more trite,"evangelical"-like language that people new to the Gospels wouldn't understand. Like it was written for long-time Christians, but Christians who don't like to think.
Wright's arguments were poorer in this book, and his stories were less fitting. The analogies left a lot more to be desired.
I don't know; maybe John is just a tougher book.
bartendm's review against another edition
4.0
I love the translation NT Wright includes with his discussion
skitch41's review against another edition
4.0
Continuing through my reading of N.T. Wright's popular commentaries on the New Testament, I have now come to the last book of the Gospel narratives, John. Mr. Wright chooses to split his commentary into two parts and this one covers the first 10 chapters of John. Personally, considering how Mr. Wright was able to fit his entire commentary on Luke into one book and that, thus far, this is the shortest commentary in the series, I think splitting this commentary into two was unnecessary. Still, that is only a minor gripe and could be blamed more on the editor(s) or publisher(s) than on Mr. Wright himself. And, like the previous commentaries, Mr. Wright never strays too far from his main point: that the story of Israel, of humanity, has reached its climax in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And perhaps in no other Gospel is Mr. Wright able to tease this theme out more than here. His writings on the John's gospel are both inspiring and inspired. And like the previous commentaries, Mr. Wright takes a block of verses and dedicates about 3-4 pages on expounding upon it. It is never too burdensome and almost always comes with a nice anecdote to illuminate Mr. Wright's, and the Gospel's, main point. I still continue to recommend this series for anyone interested in delving into the New Testament a little deeper.
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