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New Testament For Everyone #5
John for Everyone Part 1
Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion, with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2002
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About the author
Tom Wright
120 books233 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 10, 2021
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.
November 5, 2009
If you want top-notch scholarship in a supremely readable format, this commentary series is for you. Tom Wright (a.k.a. N.T. Wright) has forged a reputation as a world-class historian of first-century Roman and first-century Jewish culture, and simultaneously as a world-class theologian. His "For Everyone" commentaries bring all that knowledge into a slim volume for each book of the New Testament (two volumes in a few cases, like John's Gospel). I have enjoyed using this book and others as devotional reading which challenge both my mind and my heart.
As with all the commentaries in this series, John for everyone breaks the book up into small, digestible sections. Each 3-6 page chapter starts with Wright's own, highly readable and excellent translation of the section of text. Then it really kicks off with a small anecdote or illustration which Wright brilliantly uses to illuminate the text in its original cultural and rhetorical setting for a few pages. No footnotes or quotes in German, Latin, or even Greek throw impediments in your way. If you want access to those, you can get Wright's other commentaries and 800-page theological tomes with footnotes aplenty.
A massive hazard of theology or any Bible study is intellectual learning divorced from any personal application, and Wright shows his reverence for the scriptures by ending each section with a few paragraphs of challenge to live the text he's just covered.
I'm working my way through the New Testament For Everyone series, and after ten or so books I continue to find them fresh, challenging, and highly informative.
As with all the commentaries in this series, John for everyone breaks the book up into small, digestible sections. Each 3-6 page chapter starts with Wright's own, highly readable and excellent translation of the section of text. Then it really kicks off with a small anecdote or illustration which Wright brilliantly uses to illuminate the text in its original cultural and rhetorical setting for a few pages. No footnotes or quotes in German, Latin, or even Greek throw impediments in your way. If you want access to those, you can get Wright's other commentaries and 800-page theological tomes with footnotes aplenty.
A massive hazard of theology or any Bible study is intellectual learning divorced from any personal application, and Wright shows his reverence for the scriptures by ending each section with a few paragraphs of challenge to live the text he's just covered.
I'm working my way through the New Testament For Everyone series, and after ten or so books I continue to find them fresh, challenging, and highly informative.
May 31, 2022
What a truly amazing study of John. N. T. Wright starts each section off with a contemporary story to reveal the deep teaching of the gospel. What a fascinating method to bring the gospel of John alive, repeating the question, “Is Jesus the Messiah?”
May 14, 2023
“Not only are the Pharisees wrong, they have constructed a system within which they will never see that they are wrong. It is one thing to be genuinely mistaken… It is another to create a closed world into which no light, no fresh air, can come from outside.” (146)
October 11, 2022
An able companion and guide through the first half of John’s gospel. Highly accessible and occasionally quite insightful.
November 6, 2015
A pretty decent study book to get some more info about John, with some detail on the subtleties and looks at the big picture. Unfortunately it's somewhere in the no-man's-land between being a quick, light devotional read and a serious theological commentary. It's too long and detailed to be a quick get-to-know-John book and it's too vague to be much use for interpreting the tricky theological parts of John.
August 6, 2013
I read almost all of this book as a way to gain more from my Bible study. While I didn't like NT Wright's use of his own translation in addition to the commentary, he offered many insights that I had never thought of. One of the things I liked best was how he made a lot of Old Testament connections. I found myself flipping back to the OT and having a lot of ah-ha moments.
January 14, 2024
I previously read this in 2016, but think I enjoyed it even more this time, and more than some other longer, supposedly more in-depth commentaries. It’s remarkable how much helpful and insightful material is contained in such a slim volume. NT Wright has a knack for getting right to the crucial point of each passage while showing how it contributes to the broader important themes.
March 7, 2020
Good. Profound. Hard to follow and connect the stories
I like the book. Sometimes the connecting stories are missing something. The bridge that is built to connect the chapter sections is unclear and sometimes non existent. Besides this point I like the book. The way the gospel of john is splitted and the conclusion for each chapter are quite fascinating.
Thanks for writing this sir.
I like the book. Sometimes the connecting stories are missing something. The bridge that is built to connect the chapter sections is unclear and sometimes non existent. Besides this point I like the book. The way the gospel of john is splitted and the conclusion for each chapter are quite fascinating.
Thanks for writing this sir.
May 24, 2022
I do enjoy Wright’s “for Everyone” books, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Whilst he is more of a specialist in the writings of Paul and of the Synoptics, I appreciate his approach to John’s Gospel in this devotional commentary.
Looking forward to continuing with the second half of his journey through this Gospel.
Looking forward to continuing with the second half of his journey through this Gospel.
January 17, 2018
Reading with new eyes
Another excellent commentary! I've read John's gospel multiple times, but Wright's vision of it has given me new eyes to see beneath the surface. Ready for Part 2!
Another excellent commentary! I've read John's gospel multiple times, but Wright's vision of it has given me new eyes to see beneath the surface. Ready for Part 2!
January 8, 2019
The Word made flesh
Good commentary; easy to read and thoroughly engaging. Will recommend to any who is looking for a simple and yet illuminating understanding of the gospel of John.
Good commentary; easy to read and thoroughly engaging. Will recommend to any who is looking for a simple and yet illuminating understanding of the gospel of John.
September 14, 2019
Good commentary
I really enjoyed this commentary which helped me more fully appreciate the Gospel of John. The author not only gave good historical perspectives, but also very useful devotional perspectives as well about how John can relate to me personally.
I really enjoyed this commentary which helped me more fully appreciate the Gospel of John. The author not only gave good historical perspectives, but also very useful devotional perspectives as well about how John can relate to me personally.
December 14, 2020
Hidden gems discovered.
The book helps to understand sequence of John passages that are built to each other and make the picture and the Gospel clearer. I have discovered hidden gems that I never thought of. I strongly recommend.
The book helps to understand sequence of John passages that are built to each other and make the picture and the Gospel clearer. I have discovered hidden gems that I never thought of. I strongly recommend.
January 12, 2021
A well written commentary on the first 10 chapters of John’s Gospel. It combines scholarly themes and clear English. This makes it very accessible for both private & group study. The themes of John’s Gospel are clearly brought out.
March 12, 2021
Great little guide. It would be best for someone looking for help in reading the Bible devotionally. I love that the insights from one of the leading biblical scholars in the world are balanced with a heart to help people experience the goodness of knowing Jesus.
March 30, 2022
Absolutely brilliant...the analogies that he makes to explain so many parts of scripture is truly remarkable and opens your heart completely. This book is truly written for everyone to read and highly recommend it.
November 18, 2018
Great, helpful book!
N.T. Wrath has done it again: profound commentary on John's
Gospel, in an accessible, sensible mode. Thank you,sir!
Jane Vella
N.T. Wrath has done it again: profound commentary on John's
Gospel, in an accessible, sensible mode. Thank you,sir!
Jane Vella
September 12, 2018
Written for those with limited knowledge of the Bible, but still packed full of insights and truth and beauty. Wright always helps me see Scripture with fresh eyes.
April 9, 2019
Very good insight into the first 10 chapters of John
May 27, 2019
Recommended commentary series.
August 5, 2019
An excellent small volume of commentary on this extraordinary Gospel literature.
February 14, 2020
I love these little popular commentaries. They are the perfect option between the scholarly commentary and a shallow devotional. Perfect for digging a little deeper during quiet time.
February 15, 2020
Very informative
Thought provoking, causes one to think deeper about the Gospel of John with a deeper meaning. Great read on my journey of faith.
Thought provoking, causes one to think deeper about the Gospel of John with a deeper meaning. Great read on my journey of faith.
February 26, 2020
I enjoy this series. Great resource for my year focused on the Gospel of John. Looking forward to reading the second book!
September 20, 2021
Very readable and with plenty of depth.
April 15, 2023
Excellent reflections on the first ten chapters of the gospel of John.
December 18, 2023
Some excellent thoughts and always great commentary and storytelling from the modern day hero of Theology, N.T. Wright.
August 3, 2024
Absolutely fantastic.
June 16, 2025
I always love these commentaries from NT Wright. Wonderful for devotional use. I’d give this 4.5 stars if I could. Still good but I didn’t enjoy it as much as his commentary on Mark.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews