John: Jesus Christ Is God

by William F. Cook

John’s Gospel is the mature reflections of the last living apostle. John the apostle wrote this book approximately fifty–five years after the resurrection of Jesus. During those years he had reflected on the words and deeds of Jesus and the result is that the pages of the Gospel contain the seasoned thinking of one of Jesus’ closest friends.
New Testament scholar William F. Cook brings us the latest in the popular Focus on the Bible series. In a lucid and engaging style, he leads us through the Gospel of John.

Genres: Theology

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2016

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary is an excellent journey through John. I've been focusing on studying this book verse by verse and really taking a deep dive. The author is my pastor so I may be biased but he is gifted in taking you deep but allowing even a lay person to grasp complex concepts. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to study John in a deep, yet practical way.

[Christian Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well written commentary on the Gospel of John. I would call this an introductory to the most theological gospel, for William Cook only scratches the surfaces as to the depths of John’s Gospel. However, it was a blessing and I benefited from it greatly as I studied the Gospel. William Cook is a pastor and a professor, but this book is written from the pastoral side of things. He is clearly brilliant and can go deep into the theology behind many things, but always brings the theology and the basis of the text back to the readers heart. If you are looking for a short commentary to use on the Gospel of John, this is it for you. If you’re looking for something more deep theologically and with more references to other Biblical data, there may be other resources out there.

[Spencer R · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a brief introduction (6 pages compared to Klink’s 54), Cook lays out John’s Gospel, the “mature reflections of the last living apostle,” in 36 chapters (p. 7). This volume (and series) is written to the non-specialist, the lay person, and even the pastor who wants an easy read (for once) through a commentary while he is preparing.

Recommended?
With study questions after each chapter, this volume, along with all of the other ones I have read in this series, is useful for the pastor, teacher, Bible study leader, and the layperson. Cook doesn’t cover every verse; that is not his intention. Cook gives his readers a panorama shot of John’s Gospel. Of what use are details when you don’t understand how John intends those details to be read? A knowledge of details requires a knowledge of John’s overarching presentation of Jesus, the son of God, the Word, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, and that information is packaged in just under 300 pages. This is quite shorter than many other commentaries on John, but still meaty enough to be worth your time.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good as a light, but insightful introductory commentary on the gospel of John. Very readable.

[Matt Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good for the intended purpose. Helpful and pastoral.

[Erik Spohr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful and practical.