The Gospel and Epistles of John: A Concise Commentary

by Raymond E. Brown

Father Brown has thoroughly revised, updated, and adjusted the commentary to the 1986 revised NAB translation of the Bible, making this edition of his best-selling book virtually a new work.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Catholic, Christianity, Christian, New Testament, Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Roman Catholic priest, member of Society of Saint-Sulpice and a prominent biblical scholar, esteemed by not only his colleagues of the same confession. One of the first Roman Catholic scholars to apply historical-critical analysis to the Bible.

Reviews

[Lee Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is now 23 years old, but it is one that every Bible scholar must read. Raymond Brown is considered by many to be the premier Johannine scholar of the 20th century, and is widely acknowledged by both the Church and by academia. Brown began writing about John and the Johannine community in 1960, culminating a quarter-century later in an exhaustive, 800-page tome on the epistles in 1982. This book brings it all together in one concise commentary. If you fancy yourself a Bible scholar but you don’t have time to study all of Brown’s works, you must at least read this short book.

You’ll find in this book no comprehensive discussion of the Johannine community, of the development and authorship of the Gospel, or even of Johannine theology in general. You’ll find very little about Brown’s contributions to understanding Johannine eschatology or to the identification of the “beloved disciple.” What you will get is a concise verse-by-verse commentary of the Gospel and epistles, which in itself provides a taste of Brown’s thinking.

Scripture from the Revised New Testament is printed on the top of each page, with Brown’s commentary on the bottom half. Because it’s a summary only, providing nothing new or provocative, I have a hard time granting it more than three stars, yet it is a must-read.

[Jack Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Brown is very clear and concise in explaining some of the dense Johannine writings. I enjoyed getting a new perspective on the Bible from this renowned historical-critical scholar. Father Brown always takes care to not contradict any established dogmas (unlike some scholars), however, he is not afraid to get into tough questions like the authorship.

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work, though slightly dated, is a very important to anyone involved in Johannine studies. Definitely worthy of your time and effort.

[Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fascinating take on Johannine literature from a Catholic perspective. Brown gave special emphasis to sacraments. He ties the water-to-wine and the bread multiplication miracles to the Eucharist, as well Jesus' washing Peter's feet to baptism. Since I also belong to a sacramental faith tradition (Mormon), much of it is directly relevant to me. It's interesting to note that in 3 Ne. Jesus multiplies bread to administer the Eucharist.

Brown mentioned nothing about temples, though, other casting Jesus' activity at the temple as overturning Jewish traditions. It's pretty well known that the Fourth Gospel is replete with temple symbolism, and Brown fails to tie the symbols to the sacrament. Perhaps an Eastern Orthodox scholar would do better in that regard.

Johannine literature is replete with recurrding themes: light, love, water, bread, blood, keep the commandments.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book for someone wanting to try out just one Gospel of the NT with explanations from a top biblical scholar

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that "concise" is the point, and Brown is wonderful, but next time I'll get a less concise commentary.

[Jeffrey Wetherell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, concise commentary. While I'm not in agreement with all of his views, I enjoy them and think that they are a good jumping off point for further discussion.

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read