The Gospel of John: A Commentary

by Frederick Dale Bruner

The author of a much-loved two volume Matthew commentary (1990) that he greatly revised and expanded fourteen years later, Frederick Dale Bruner now offers The Gospel of John: A Commentary -- more rich fruit of his lifetime of study and teaching. Rather than relying primarily on recent scholarship, Bruner honors and draws from the church's major John commentators throughout history, including Augustine, Chrysostom, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Bultmann, Barrett, and many more.

Alongside this "historical interpretation" is Bruner's own contemporary interpretation, which incorporates a lucid translation of the text, references to recent scholarship, and his pastoral application of the Gospel to present-day experience. Like Bruner's other work, this commentary is rich in biblical insights, broadly historical, and deeply theological.

Here is what Eugene Peterson said about Bruner's earlier work on Matthew: "This is the kind of commentary I most want -- a theological wrestling with Scripture. Frederick Dale Bruner grapples with the text not only as a technical exegete (although he does that very well) but as a church theologian, caring passionately about what these words tell us about God and ourselves. His Matthew commentary is in the grand traditions of Augustine, Calvin, and Luther -- expansive and leisurely, loving the text, the people in it, and the Christians who read it." The same could well be said about the present John commentary, which promises to be another invaluable resource for pastors, teachers, and laypeople alike.

Genres: Theology, Reference, Biblical Studies, Christian

1313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2011

Reviews

[Steve Penner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without doubt the best commentary I have ever used. Have spent the past 2.5 years preaching through the Gospel of John and this became my primary resource. No other commentary approaches the depth and breadth that Bruner brings to a project. It is historical, critical and devotional all at the same time. You pretty much don't need another commentary; this one will do. If his Matthew commentary is anything like this, I will be using it when I get back to preaching it. I pray he will have time to finish Romans. Pastors, get this commentary.

[Gavin Breeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really tremendous. An extremely thorough commentary which deals with the Greek some and provides excellent comments on the text while also spending a lot of time considering the historical interpretations of each passage. A few good illustrations sprinkled throughout but an excellent source for quotes from other commentators, theologians, and preachers. A rich scholarly and pastoral resource. It was my primary resource while preaching through John's Gospel. The best commentary on John that I've encountered.

[Charles Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this book two and a half years ago when I started teaching John. Of the several commentaries I used over that two years, this easily became my go-to; the one I always started my studies with.

[Steve Coombs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish commentaries of this calibre and style could be found for every book!

[Deiniol Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

My go to commentary on John. Insightful exegesis combined with theological and pastoral comment. Engages with early church Fathers, Reformers, recent evangelical scholarship in detail. A great feature is a collection of relevant quotes from church history at the beginning of each section.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s a commentary that’s just a little different. The author, Frederick Dale Bruner, who was well known for his earlier two-volume commentary on Matthew, has a writing style that is at once thoroughly academic and personally chatty. How else could I describe this commentary of over 1200 pages where Mr. Bruner seems to be having such fun? I’ve reviewed a lot of commentaries and I don’t think I’ve ever before described the author as having fun. But that is my distinct impression in this case.

The label I’ve heard (“mildly critical”) seems accurate. He follows a few critical theories that I couldn’t accept, yet in other instances he writes beautifully about the deity of Jesus Christ. His preface, again the most personal that I’ve read in a major academic commentary, almost reads like a stream of consciousness flowing happily along. You’ll read about his family and what must be an unusually large social network. He apparently loves people, and with all the interesting people that Christ will encounter in the Gospel of John, that probably makes him an ideal commentator.

There is no introduction to the Gospel of John, which is quite surprising for a major commentary. In any event, the publishers gave him all the room he wanted in the commentary itself. I don’t feel that the more academic subjects that are usually found in an introduction would be his strength anyway, as interesting theology is his forte. I’ve even read that some major reviewer’s think that he misfires occasionally on the exegetical level, but I believe that some well-done theological commentaries are excellent to use on the second pass after we’ve already used our exegetical ones. Maybe it would be fair to call him a modern, mildly critical Herman Ridderbos.

I’ll still reach for D. A. Carson, Leon Morris, and Edward Klink first on the Gospel of John, but I am genuinely happy to have Mr. Bruner on hand to draw out theological reflection and to give me something that the others will not. I found unique angles in every passage I surveyed. Eerdmans went all out with a nice hardback in a very attractive dust jacket. You should check out this lively, bubbling commentary!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Jill Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was among 3 lay persons who spent two and a half years using this for a study of John ( after spending the previous 2 years with Bruner’s commentary on Matthew). It makes the Gospel amazingly available to non-seminarians. It was a joy to spend time with Dr Bruner each week.

[Mike Neglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Best commentary I've read in 16 years of pastoral ministry. Can't wait to read Bruner's forthcoming Romans book.

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having finished, and thoroughly enjoying Bruner’s 2 volume work on Matthew, I proceeded into his commentary on John - which I also really enjoyed. I would argue that his works on Matthew are better, but that is more in the way of I wish I could give them 6 out of 5 stars.

The Author does a good thorough coverage of John, and I really benefited from the many references from throughout Church History - including such as Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria, Augustine, Calvin and Luther - as well as sharing insights of commentators from the past century or so. This approach gives the reader much to think about, and aids in the process of “mulling over” this Gospel.

I would highly recommend this book to all who wish to learn more about the Gospel, but especially those who are Pastors and Preachers.

[Jon Betz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astounding feat. Wide ranging in it's collection of historic thought. Generous in it's theological breadth and inclusion and consideration of various traditions. Bruner gives his reader the tools to explore on their own and the candor and guidance of a thoughtful, meek mentor. I heavily leaned on this for 7 months of preach through John chapter by chapter at our church. Highly recommend.

[Lee Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best commentary on the Gospel of John. Not only great exegetical work, but excellent practical considerations for pastoral work.

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as his two volume commentary on Matthew, but still helpful, especially for some unique homiletical insights.

[Milan Homola · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite commentaries and my go to for the Gospel of John

[Chad Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some months ago on Twitter, someone asked which gospel we want to have with us if we were stranded on an island - or something like that. My immediate thought was that I would want to have John's gospel, because for me, this fourth gospel has always been somewhat shrouded in mystery and I would love the opportunity to sit down with John and see Jesus through his eyes. That thought led me eventually to preach a message series on the gospel of John. As I prepared, I sought out reliable guides for this journey into mystery. One of the resources I acquired was Frederick Dale Bruner's commentary on John's Gospel. Bruner combines a broad understanding of the history of interpretation in the fourth gospel, keen insight into the text based in Bruner's own research, and practical application for living faithfully as followers of Jesus Christ. I used this commentary extensively in my series on John, and I highly recommend Bruner's work for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of our fourth gospel.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody beats Bruner for a stunning combination of pastoral and scholarly reflection. Bruner's high level study of John spans history and spans pulpit to street. His two-volume Matthew commentary is also must-read.

[Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I've just read the section on John 15:1-17. It is fabulous. Technical and devotional at the same time, and in dialogue with historical exegesis of the passage.

[Kolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My go to commentary on my favorite of the Gospels.

[Mesfin]

fantastic

[Chad Conant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best commentary on the Bible I have ever read!

[Amy]

Matt Chandler
Sermon: Through the Word, 8/19/18