The Gospel of John: A Beginner’s Guide to the Way, the Truth, and the Life

by Amy-Jill Levine

Unlock the hidden depths of John’s Gospel.

John’s Gospel offers readers a new language—of being born anew, of living water, of wind and spirit, of the “I am”—that enhances how we understand the divine, how we experience the world, and how we participate in the mystery of faith.

With her characteristic wit and charm, Amy-Jill Levine introduces readers to the world of the Gospel of John by unpacking the stories in their original context, along with examining how the text is read today. This book considers the Gospel of John in its entirety, moving through the Gospel and exploring the prologue, the wedding at Cana, the Samaritan woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery, the healing of the man at the pool and the man born blind, foot washing, Mary Magdalene and Doubting Thomas, and the Lamb of God.

Components available to use this book in a small group study include a leader guide and video available on DVD.

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Church

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Department of Jewish Studies. Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus; Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi; four children's books (with Sandy Sasso); The Gospel of Luke (with Ben Witherington III); and The Jewish Annotated New Testament (co-edited with Marc Z. Brettler). Her most recent books are The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently (co-authored with Marc Z. Brettler), Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven; and The Kingdom of Heaven: 40 Devotionals. In 2019 she became the first Jew to teach New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute. Professor Levine, who has done over 300 programs for churches, clergy groups, and seminaries, has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. Institutions granting her honorary degrees include Christian Theological Seminary and the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.

Reviews

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A broad overview and theological analysis of the gospel of John. I love this scholar, but I better appreciated her analysis of Mark, The signs and wonders, and The Light of the World regarding advent.

[James Magrini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and highly praised Levine’s The Gospel of Mark in a review. However, this book on the Gospel of John was a major letdown – to say the least.

The historicist approach is embraced and there are compelling instances of Greek and Hebrew etymology, but what struck me was a comment made by the author on page 14 – when introducing the technical term, “realized eschatology,” she briefly explains it and then abruptly dismisses it, declaring, “that’s enough technical terminology for one chapter.”

Say what?

After reading her excellent and thorough previous work, this text appeared to be written quickly, and because of that, it suffers. It was far too superficial for my liking, especially when compared to her book on the Gospel of Mark.

Dr. James M. Magrini
Former: Philosophy/College of DuPage (US)

[Sarah Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like Amy Jill Levine's free form word association. She brought up the Greek form of words and sometimes that was helpful but usually it was completely random. A main theme of the book was John's imbuing everything with metaphor and symbolism. But then insisted we don't do such a thing for the stone jars where the transformation of water into wine to took place. Or the fig tree. But the napkin around Jesus' head ok. Also, as a Jewish professor, why is she suggesting who Christians should invite to their weddings or how they should conduct their worship services? Her suggestions here just seemed so outside the scope of her field. I found the writing style annoying too. Why is she putting so many random thoughts into parentheses. Didn't care for this book at all.

[Tristann Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy-Jill Levine selects a few specific scenes from the Gospel of John to explore in this book. As with all of Levine's books she can overshare or under share information and beliefs that leave you hanging and questioning her intent. As reviewers mentioned this book is not a "beginner's guide." Levine loves to throw in words and extra concepts throughout her books. Sometimes this is helpful, sometimes it's distracting and seems to be more skewed to her own beliefs. Her commentary of what she likes or doesn't like can be off putting for some. She does present different ideas and gives you more to think about.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

we love AJ

This is the third (fourth?) AJ study our group of four friends have studies. We read the book, show the video, have a teaching time (2 of us share teaching) and usually share a meal. They are thought provoking and faith inspiring. Thank you so much Prof Levine!

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Levine selects several scenes from the Gospel of John to explore as both a New Testament scholar and as a Jewish woman.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

She brings out parts that I had not touched on before.
Her Jewish background brings a different element.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used with a bible study. provided good discussions.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good commentary that still leaves me pondering a few things.

[Ellen Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book but parts were very wordy

[Katherine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful perspective that emphasizes Jesus as a first century Jew, who spoke and acted from the deep convictions of his Jewish roots.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Bible study felt more like a compilation of random ideas and connections than a comprehensive breakdown of the sections focused on. I loved when Levine dug into the layers of meaning that corresponded with other stories in the gospel and Hebrew Bible, but it felt like there was never really enough said on them to be super impactful. This is the first time I’ve ever read a book like this for a Bible study, so that could be the reason it hasn’t lived up to my expectations. Overall I just had hoped for more from this, more depth, more reflection from the author, more questions and possibilities opened up for me.