The Gospel of John

by Arthur W. Pink

▶ DESCRIPTION
As we turn to the fourth Gospel we come to entirely different ground from that which is traversed in the other three. It is true, the period of time covered by it is the same as in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, some of the incidents treated of by the "Synoptics" come before us here, and He who has occupied the central position in the narratives of the first three Evangelists is the same One that is made pre-eminent by John; but otherwise, everything is entirely new. The viewpoint of this fourth Gospel is more elevated than that of the others; its contents bring into view spiritual relationships rather than human ties; and, higher glories are revealed as touching the peerless Person of the Savior. In each of the first three Gospels Christ is viewed in human relationships, but not so in John. The purpose of this fourth Gospel is to show that the One who was born in a manger and afterward died on the Cross had higher glories than those of King, that He who humbled Himself to take the Servant place was, previously, "equal with God," that the One who became the Son of Man was none other than, and ever remains, the Only Begotten of the Father.

▶ CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Christ, the Eternal Word
3. Christ, the Word Incarnate
4. Christ's Forerunner
5. Christ and His First Disciples
6. Christ's First Miracle
7. Christ Cleansing the Temple
8. Christ and Nicodemus
9. Christ Magnified by His Forerunner
10. Christ at Sychar's Well
11. Christ in Samaria
12. Christ in Galilee
13. Christ at the Pool of Bethesda
14. The Deity of Christ: Sevenfold Proof
15. The Deity of Christ: Threefold Witness
16. Christ Feeding the Multitude
17. Christ Walking in the Sea
18. Christ the Bread of Life
19. Christ in the Capernaum Synagogue
20. Christ and His Disciples
21. Christ and the Feast of Tabernacles
22. Christ Teaching in the Temple
23. Christ and the Adulterous Woman
24. Christ the Light of the World
25. Christ and the Blind Beggar
26. Christ the Door
27. Christ the Good Shepherd
28. Christ One with the Father
29. Christ Raising Lazarus
30. Christ Feared by the Sanhedrin
31. Christ Anointed at Bethany
32. Christ's Entry into Jerusalem
33. Christ Sought by Gentiles
34. Christ's Ministry Reviewed
35. Christ Washing His Disciples Feet
36. Christ's Example For Us
37. Christ's Warnings
38. Christ Comforting His Disciples
39. Christ the True Vine
40. Christ Fortifying His Disciples
41. Christ Vindicate by the Spirit
42. Christ Glorified by the Spirit
43. Christ's Concluding Consolations
44. Christ's Interceding
45. Christ in the Garden
46. Christ Before Annas
47. Christ Before Pilate
48. Christ Condemned to Death
49. Christ Laying Down His Life
50. Christ Risen From the Dead
51. Christ Appearing to His Own
52. Christ and Thomas
53. Christ by the Sea of Tiberius
54. Christ and Peter
55. Conclusion
56. Other Books

▶ AUTHOR
Arthur W. Pink was born in Nottingham England in 1886, and born again of the Spirit of God in 1908 at the age of 22. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, USA, for only six weeks before beginning his pastoral work in Colorado. From there he pastored churches in California, Kentucky, and South Carolina, before moving to Sydney Australia for a brief period, preaching and teaching. In 1934, at 48 years old, he returned to his native England.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Faith, Christian, Religion, New Testament, Theology, Christianity

1076 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1945

About the author

Arthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.

Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.

In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.

In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.

After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure I have never rated a A. W. Pink book lower than five stars. I love his writing, insights, and wise commentary on the Scriptures. I have minor disagreements with some of his conclusions but those are truly minor. This Exposition of the Gospel of John is the most thorough study of the book I have ever read and helped me to understand the point of each verse. We are studying John in Sunday School and while it is helpful and enjoyable, it cannot compare to the depth of this study. Pink's recommendations on how to study the Word were very helpful and timely. At 1154 pages, this is no beach book but as a secondary reading to Scriptures, it should be read by all serious students of the Word. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only got about 20% in, but the author, while he made good points, didn't know when enough was enough. I found myself skimming for answers to the questions pertinent to the chapter. Very disappointed.

[Jaime Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I love it and will read it again and again.

[Nancy Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more than expected!

I am studying each book of the Bible and this commentary had more than I imagined. The author delves deep into explaining, comparing, and showing all of the parallels between the different books of the bible. It was so helpful! Our God is an awesome God! Thank you Arthur Pink!

[Bassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of The Gospel of John from a man whom I met a few months ago on the streets.

The man just stood there near a train station, and we had a nice conversation. He told me about Nicodemus and Barabbas.

I was triggered because I did not know the name Nicodemus, although I was raised as a Catholic (and I am a proud Godfather). So he encouraged me in a friendly way to read The Gospel of John.

I am glad I did.

I have the feeling I only got served some pieces of The Gospel of John throughout my upbringing, and not the essence of the story.

I am not a Believer in the sense that I believe there is a God that is there only for humans. But I notice there is more going on than only our dwelling on Earth.

One thing that struck me while reading is that many of Jesus’ followers required signs to keep believing.
They did not understand themselves and were struck with fear.

Which is not very surprising to me, since the Authority did not recognise Love, the message that Jesus distributed.

Autocratic regimes cost a lot of energy to uphold.

Fast forward 2000 years, and we are in the same situation, now powered by the rush to get Earth metals for global hegemony though AI…

So far this part of the New Testament.

Let the Old Testament run its course (which is a story about Nature including cosmic events).

Wabi Sabi.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truth be told.... I only slogged through 20%-ish of Arthur Pink's commentary on my favorite gospel, The Book of John. The author had a long-winded writing style and shared biblical parallels that seemed a bit far-fetched. The book comes with 7 (and always 7.... at least for the first part of the book that I managed to read) questions that were fairly straightforward and somewhat discussion-worthy. Why always 7, I wondered... My understanding is that "the number 7 is represented in the bible as meaning the completion and perfection of things that are both physical and spiritual." Alas, I didn't get the same sense of completion and perfection when trying to read this book!

[Jen Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good teaching exploration with solid biblical doctrine

It took Pink 10 years to write and took me 3 years to read and study. It was worth every moment of meditation, prayer, self examination, and study. My bible is now filled with notes from this study, and I'm sure I will look back on them and this book for years to come for instruction, reproof, exhortation, and inspiration.

[Greg Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is commentary that every Christian--both layman and minister--should own. Pink has a very unique way of bringing color out of the text.

[John Dube · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for everybody. Pink is often allegorical. That being said, he can inspire good application.

[Lorri · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you really want to study the bible and get deep into the word of God, then you'd like Arthur Pink's expositions. And he does go deep. To me it was worth the time to expand my knowledge and understanding of the Truth. Over 1100 pages. The more diligently we seek after its hidden treasures, the greater will be our reward.

[Josh Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a scholarly commentary, but it is one of the most influential books that I have ever read. Recently converted, and shortly after coming to Calvinism within the Baptist church, the turn to the gospel of John with Pink solidified a rock solid theology that has remained in tact for many years now. I am profoundly grateful for these 3 volumes.

[Andy]

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[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible Exposition of the Gospel of John. I still refer back to it from time to time.

[Chuck Musselwhite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too many liberties taken in his commentary. A lot of over spiritualization of the text.

[Nicol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative with lots of nuggets in here to dig out by one of my favorite bible teachers. Mr. Pink is a great teacher.For any of my reformed folk out there, I highly recommend.

[Jim]

Long, detailed and I didn't read every word!

[Hank Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Son revealed

This is the most complete revelation of the deity of our Lord and Savior that I have found and recommend for all. Enjoy.