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)
Jesus did not begin his farewell discourse with mere words. Often such words are of little use, unless carried out in action. He asked his followers, if they had grasped the tone of his symbolic work, "Open your eyes and see, I am with you as one of yours. I am not seated above you on a throne for you to grovel before me as slaves. No! I stripped myself of glory and became one of you. More than that, I left my place as teacher and master to become a servant. Have you now understood the direction that divine love has to take? The proud man vaunts himself, the one who loves humbles himself and endures all things, denies himself and serves bodily and practically."
"You wish to be my disciples, as I am your exemplar, I do not merely speak, but act out my teaching. Look at me: I am a servant. If you wish to follow me, bow down and practice mutual service. He that is among you who wishes to be first, is the feeblest. But he who serves others calmly and remains lowly is truly great."
"Do not imagine that the Church is a collection of perfect saints. They are all in the process of becoming. I have purified them all and they are saints in principle. But every member needs patience and time for spiritual growth. Everyone errs and stumbles. Here is my charge and command: Forgive one another your mistakes and sins. Judge not one another, but help others. Do not wash the heads of others, but their feet. No one should lord it over others; you are brothers. If you acted thus, you will realize what I have made clear already: I have not come to be served but to serve. My life is service, sacrifice and yielding for all."
"I send you into the world apostles of love. The sent one is great like him who sends. Your first duty is to become servants like me. If you realize this, you will have grasped the motto and watchword of Christianity."
"My second principle: If you know this, blessed are you, if you do it. I have not spoken of love as mere words; I have practiced it." Service is labor and sacrifice, not words, prayers and feelings only. The impulse to service is in a believer’s nature. From this nucleus proceed various works of love. One who does not serve is hardly a believer. Ringing prayers devoid of action in assistance, are hypocrisy. You were not saved by good works; it is my blood that saves. But if you stoop down to the miserable, the wanderers, and serve them constantly, you will be filled with God’s joy. God’s good pleasure overshadows Christ’s servants.
Brother, do you wish to become a master and teacher? Look to Jesus. He is the teacher par excellence. He stands before you a servant. Do you want to practice his teachings? Start from today and serve. Request in prayer, where, how and whom he wishes you to serve. If you know this, blessed are you, if you do it.