Be Alive (John 1-12): Get to Know the Living Savior

The "Be" Commentary

by Warren W. Wiersbe

Grasp the significance behind Jesus' life and ministry in this commentary on the first half of the Gospel of John--and come to know the living Savior like never before.

Genres: Christian, Reference, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Devotional, Religion, Christianity

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1986

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Clara Roberts]

As with all of Wiersbe's books I have to rate this book a five. Wiersbe writes for both the theologian and the layman. I can think of few writers that have the knowledge of the O.T. to bring it forward to explaining the N.T. Wiersbe points out "the first three gospel writers major on describing events in the life of Christ.. John emphasized the meaning of those events." "One major theme that runs throughout John's Gospel: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and if you commit yourself to Him, He will give you eternal life."

[Douglas]

Great study guide by a great teacher!

[Alek Seams]

Simple easy to follow and a good companion when reading John

[Danielle]

Dr Weirsbe is so gifted and his insights are so helpful! If you're a Bible student and you've never read his commentaries, you definitely should. I highly recommend it!

[Ryan Wilson]

Great bible study to accompany my bible reading really enjoyed the book

[Erin]

I can’t recommend these commentaries enough!

[Barbara Harper]

Warren Wiersbe divided his commentary on John into two books, the first being Be Alive (John 1-12): Get to Know the Living Savior.

Each of the four gospels presents Jesus from a different aspect. John’s gospel portrays Jesus as the Son of God.

John shares different titles for Jesus: the eternal, incarnate Word of God (“Much as our words reveal to others our hearts and minds, so Jesus Christ is God’s ‘Word’ to reveal His heart and mind to us”–p. 20); the light of the world; the eternal Son of God; the lamb of God; the Messiah, long promised and prophesied in the Old Testament; the king of Israel; the Son of Man; the good shepherd, the water and bread of life, the door.

When John shares some of the miracles Jesus did, he “seeks to share the inner meaning—the inner significance—of our Lord’s works, so that each miracle is a ‘sermon in action” (p. 38). “Our Lord’s miracles were testimonies (John 5: 36), giving evidence of His divine sonship; but they were also tests, exposing the hearts of the people (John 12: 37ff.). The same events that opened some eyes only made other eyes that much more blind (John 9: 39–41)” (p. 44).

One theme through John’s gospel is Jesus’ “hour.” Throughout, Jesus says His hour was not yet come. Then it was at hand, then it finally culminated in His death for us.

Another theme is that Jesus loves and came to die for the world, not just the Jews.

One of John’s major themes is that Jesus is the Savior of the world, not simply the Redeemer of Israel. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1: 29). “For God so loved the world” (John 3: 16). The Samaritans rightly identified Him as “the Savior of the world” (John 4: 42). He gave His life for the world, and He gives life to the world (John 6: 33). He is the Light of the World (John 8: 12). The universal emphasis of John’s gospel is too obvious to miss. Jesus will bring the “other sheep” who are outside the Jewish fold (John 10: 16; and see 11: 51–52) (p. 190).

The crowds at first flocked to Jesus for His teaching and His provision. They hoped He would throw off Roman oppression and set up His kingdom. Some believed and became loving followers of Christ. Many began to fall away when He spoke of the cost of discipleship and when it became clear that He was not the type of Messiah they had envisioned.

The Pharisees were supposed to be experts in the law of God, but they missed the Savior portrayed in the law.

When a person starts to resist the light, something begins to change within him, and he comes to the place where he cannot believe. There is “judicial blindness” that God permits to come over the eyes of people who do not take the truth seriously. (The quotation of Isa. 6: 9–10 is found in a number of places in the New Testament. See Matt. 13: 14–15; Mark 4: 12; Luke 8: 10; Acts 28: 25–27; Rom. 11: 8.) It is a serious thing to treat God’s truth lightly, for a person could well miss his opportunity to be saved. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isa. 55: 6)” (p. 194).

John’s gospel is a full and rich portrayal of Christ. There is so much in it, I am not surprised Wiersbe took two books to cover it. I look forward to the next one.

[Denise]

A very helpful guide to the background information and interpretation of the first twelve chapters of the gospel of John.

I appreciated when Wiersbe called attention to inaccuracies such as sheepfold mentioned in 10:1 heaven when it's a metaphor for Israel and the Lord. I also appreciated the clarification that there are two cleansings of the temple. Or that Mary Lazarus' sister announced our Lord in John 12, not the prostitute in Galilee.

A very easy to read commentary.

[John C. Whitehead]

Warren Wiersbe was an excellent, inspiring Bible teacher. He makes studying so much better as he explains Biblical truths clearly and at a level we can all understand. His BE series are my go to books when I start to study another book of Gods Word. They have also helped our small group studies, as others in the group have started using the series too.

[Conor]

Ok.

We used this for our summer series community group program. Great for discussion, but I tended to redesign the questions at the end of the chapters for deeper response and evaluation.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro]

2/50, this is my second book on be series. i read the series alphabetically, not from genesis.
the book is a commentary on John from the beginning until before His crucifixion. the theology contains not that deep, but enough for basic understanding.

[Alana Amunrud-Sharp]

I read most of this book when reasearching the Gospel of John. Like many commentaries, it ignores much of the cultural and geographical realities of the day, and tends to jump too quickly to conclusions in order to find an application. It had some helpful things, but I wish it was better.

[Mike Eccles]

Wiersbe sheds new light and gives insights that I had not previously recognised into the first half of John's gospel, which I though I knew quite well.

[Jan Norton]

Wiesbe continues to teach me everytime I open one of his books.

[Ellen]

Wonderful commentary

[Kay]

It had been quite a while since I did an in-depth study of the gospel of John and I found this commentary very helpful.

[Brandi (Rambles of a SAHM)]

Excellent material. This year I am reading my Bible through with the aid of Warren Wiersbe's commentaries. Thoroughly enjoying it.

[Laura]

Excellent

I do enjoy this series of books. There is always something new to learn and the author always has great insight into the subject. Great Bible study material.

[Kelsey]

I love commentary books by Warren Weirsbe. His theology is so sound, and he always opens my eyes to lessons, patterns, scriptural connections, etc. that I missed during my own reading.

[Anne Sopiarz]

Prep for BSF teaching. Always good!!

[Marcus Goncalves]

As with his other work, this one was excellent, offering a good commentary of book of John chapters 1-12. Worth reading it.

[Lauren Ware]

Loved this commentary!

[Monika]

Read as part of a Bible study group. 4 stars for the chapters, 3 stars for the questions following the chapters (questions were apparently written by somoene else much later).

[Selene Gentzler]

Incredibly in depth and beneficial commentary

[Sandy Young]

Another beautiful Wiersbe book to read every day along with readings in The MacArthur Daily Bible. I am so thankful that I discovered the Be Series through the recommendation of my cousin, Ellis Coats. These books enrich my Bible readings every day!

[Sarah]

We are using this book for Sunday school in our study of John.

[Amanda]

Gave me lots to think about for chapters I have read many times.

[Frans Kempe]

The first part in the commentary of the gospel of John. Enjoyed it

[Wanda Dorsey]

This is a real good study for those that are studying the book of John!

5 stars! This is a real good study guide for those who q studying the book a John! Check it out!