The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Evangelical Exposition of John 14-17

by D.A. Carson

In this study D. A. Carson illuminates Jesus's message to his disciples after the Last Supper, in which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Holy Spirit and prays for himself, his followers, and the world. D. A. Carson clearly explains what Jesus taught his disciples the night before his crucifixion. This exposition of John 14-17 helps students of the Bible appreciate Jesus's teaching on the coming and the work of the Holy Spirit, his high priestly prayer, and his commandment to love one another.

Genres: Christian, Biblical Studies, Theology, New Testament, Nonfiction, Reference

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Donald A. Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has been at Trinity since 1978. Carson came to Trinity from the faculty of Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he also served for two years as academic dean. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom. Carson received the Bachelor of Science in chemistry from McGill University, the Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He has written or edited about sixty books. He is a founding member and currently president of The Gospel Coalition. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two adult children.

Reviews

[Tom Creek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these sorts of books that take four or five chapters of one book of the Bible and go through them verse by verse (John Stott’s Calling Christian Leaders on 1 Corinthians 1-4 was another I found super helpful).

Don Carson leaves no stone unturned when going through John 14-17, with super helpful explanation about the Trinity and how the Holy Spirit works through Jesus’ disciples then and today. Has left me feeling more confident in Jesus’ encouragement: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Thank you Kim for the book!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A study of John 14-17, based on expository messages on these texts.

D. A. Carson has had a distinguished career as professor, lecturer, scholar, and Bible teacher, publishing over 50 popular and scholarly books as well as numerous scholarly articles. Several collections of his expository messages were published in the 1980's and 1990's and recently have been re-packaged by the publisher and re-released. This work does not appear to be revised in any way, and there are no notes or updated prefaces to that effect.

In the preface to this work, Carson notes that this work reflects a popular rather than scholarly approach to John (Carson also has published a scholarly commentary on the Gospel of John). This work is based on messages given on John 14-17 at various conferences and has been converted to essay form. In this case, listing the chapters may be helpful to see how these essays have been organized:

1. Prologue -- John 13
2. An Introduction to Triumphant Faith -- John 14:1–14
3. The Coming of the Spirit of Truth -- John 14:15–24
4. Three Clarifications -- John 14:25–31
5. Spiritual Intimacy with Jesus Christ -- John 15:1–16
6. Counting the Cost -- John 15:17–16:4
7. Two Special Ministries of the Spirit -- John 16:5–15
8. But First, the Cross -- John 16:16–33
9. Jesus Prays for Himself and His Followers -- John 17:1–19
10. Jesus Prays for All Believers and for the World -- John 17:20–26

Each chapter other than the prologue begins with the biblical text in the New International Version. This is followed by an exposition of the text in plain language that both draws out the theological content of the text and its practical and devotional significance. One of the recurring elements is Carson's quotation of the texts of hymns that illustrate and underscore his points. This may seem dated to some, but to reflect on the words, whether one knows the music or not, may be helpful.

One of the highlights for me was Carson's careful and clear discussion of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit, a great concern of Jesus in this discourse. Here, for example is his discussion of what it means in John 8 for the Spirit to convict the world "...of righteousness."

"The question is: Whose righteousness? If Jesus's righteousness is in view, then clearly the Counselor does not convict the world of Jesus's righteousness in exactly the same way he convicts the world of it's own sin. One would have to suppose that the Spirit convicts the world of its sin, but convinces the world of Jesus's righteousness (thus producing an unwarranted change in the verb); or perhaps that the Spirit convicts the world of its sin and also convicts the world of its shortcomings in the light of Jesus's righteousness (which introduces an unwarranted explanatory note into the text).

Such difficulties are overcome if the Spirit is convicting the world of its sin, and also convicting the world of its righteousness (p. 162). 

He goes on to discuss how there can be good and bad righteousness, for example, the righteousness that is as a filthy rag. What I appreciate in this example, and found throughout was that in clear prose, rather than technical commentary, Carson offers clear explanations of things often left in a fuzzy state in our minds, with a finger on the biblical text.

I also deeply appreciated his comments on Jesus prayer for the unity of all believers and his understanding of a biblical ecumenism:

"[T]he things that tie together true believers are far more significant than the things that divide them. The divisive things are not necessarily unimportant: sometimes they are points of faith or practice that have long-range effects on the church for good or ill, reflecting perhaps some major inconsistency or misapprehension concerning the truth. Nevertheless the things that tie us together are of even more fundamental importance. Regardless of denominational affiliation, there ought to be among Christ's people a sincere kinship, a mutual love, a common commitment, a deep desire to learn from one another and to come, if at all possible, to a shared understanding of truth on any point. Such unity ought to be so transparent and compelling that others are attracted to it. To such biblical ecumenism (if I may so label it) there is no proper objection. Indeed, it is mandated by the Final Prayer of the Lord Jesus himself (p. 233).

This is a rich resource for devotional reflection, and for Bible study leaders and pastors who will preach on these texts. So often, such works go out of print, not to be replaced by an equivalent or better work. The publisher is to be commended to introducing a new generation to this fine work by D. A. Carson on these final teachings and prayer of Jesus on the night before he was crucified.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains excellent expository sermons on John 13-17. Carson is a rare breed: an Evangelical-Reformed preacher, with the razor sharp mind of a first-class scholar, the honed literary acumen of an essayist, and the humble of a godly pastor. Though only 207 pages long, these expositions are marked by exegetical precision, theological insight, and convicting application, all written in fluid, elegant prose.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't always agree with D.A. Carson. His brand of Reformed Evangelical with a Gospel Coalition, complementarian comb-over puts me at odds with some of his conclusions; however I always appreciate the thoroughness and attention he brings to the biblical text. His Exegetical Fallacies has kept me from some fuzzy hermeneutics, and when I am in the market for a new, new testament commentary, I always check his New Testament Commentary Survey (Baker Academic) which catalogues the strengths of the various commentaries for each book of the New Testament. Where I appreciate Carson most is as a Bible commentator. He has written (or edited) some incisive commentaries and studies. His John Commentary (in the Pillar New Testament Commentary Series, Eerdmans) is usually my first stop when I am studying or preaching from that gospel.

So when I got my hand on The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Exegetical Exposition of John 14-17, I was excited to see Carson's trademark attentive exegesis, but I was also curious how he would handle Jesus' so-called 'high priestly' prayer for Christian unity. I feel like Carson's evangelical brad stresses truth over unity and I was curious as what he may say here and whether or not I would demur from it.

For the most part I found this, as expected, to be a pretty solid engagement with the biblical text. I puzzled a little bit with who Carson's intended audience was. He notes in his preface, "A need exists for both academic and popular approaches [to scripture]: but this volume belongs to the latter camp" (9). And indeed this a non-academic, non-technical commentary in that there are no long strings of Koine Greek or technical djargon. But if it is a 'non-academic' text, it also seems to be an unpopular one. Carson, does lay aside the technical discussion, without quite descending to the level of popular. So, for example, in commenting on Jesus' phrase in John 14:2, "I'm going there to prepare a place for you," he writes:

The underlying Greek text precedes these words with a causal "for": that is, "In my Father's house are many rooms (the next words, "if not I would have told you" are parenthetical); for I am going to prepare a place for you. The "are" in the first line, as often the case in John's Gospel, is proleptic (anticipatory) (26).

Carson's comments here assume a working knowledge of Greek grammar and syntax. This is not exactly popular, even if it lacks some technical percision. However, it does give you the sense of how closely Carson reads the text, and tries to make inferences based on the words on the page. This is the sort of evangelical interpretation I applaud most, and found much that I resonated with and it gives a great deal of what Carson says a rootedness. He isn't just spouting off opinions, he is engaging with scripture and trying to interpret it faithfully. This is good stuff.

So what of the high priestly prayer and what it says about unity? How does Carson handle that passage? Well, he eschews both those who are ecumenical at the expense of Christian truth and those who think ecumenism is evil (and thus ignore Jesus' prayer all together). He posits that in our current era, not everything in modern Christendom is really Christian (232), or at the very least, there are competing definitions of what qualifies as Christian. Therefore, he posits the unity envisioned is a unity centered on the person Jesus Christ and our connection to him. He writes:

Whoever cites John 17 to justify a unity that embraces believers and apostate, disciple and renegade, regenerate and unregenerate, abuses this passage. Such ecumenism has its roots not in Scripture but in a misguided (if well-intentioned) notions of what New Testament Christianity is all about.

On the other hand, the things that tie together true believers are far more significant than the things that divide them. The divisive things are not necessarily unimportant: sometimes they are points of faith or practice that have long-range effects on the church for good or ill, reflecting perhaps some major inconsistency or misapprehension concerning the truth. Nevertheless the things that tie us together are of even more fundamental importance. Regardless of denominational affiliation, there ought to be among Christ's people a sincere kinship, mutual love, a common commitment, a deep desire to learn from one another and to come, if at all possible , to a shared understanding of the truth on any point . Such unity ought to be so transparent and compelling that others are attracted t it. To such biblical ecumenism (if I may so label it ) there is no proper objection. Indeed, it is mandated by the Final Prayer of the Lord Jesus himself (233).

I really appreciate this vision of Christ-centered unity, centered around Jesus Christ and regard Carson and his Gospel Coalition friends as sisters and brothers and Christ and am grateful for some of the ways they bear witness to God's work in the world. Nevertheless, I'm also conscious of ways they draw lines and fail to recognize the legitimacy of faith of some of my Christian friends because of different doctrinal or social concerns. But I appreciate Carson's words and desire to lean into Christ's words.

In the end, this is a pretty solid exegetical exposition. Not too technical, but technical enough that the reader that has done at least a little ground work will find it more fruitful. I give this four stars (really 3 and change, but I'm going to round-up because I appreciate a lot about this). - ★★★★

Notice of material connection: Baker Books sent me a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. They didn't tell me what to say or ask for a positive review, but an honest one.

[Gini · Rating 4 out of 5]

What am I doing reviewing a nearly 40-year-old book from DA Carson? Baker has repackaged it and now it’s back on the shelf. There’s no new forward or other additions to the front matter, so I assume this is the 1980 version which according to the preface was intended for the “church at large” (9). I took that to mean persons other than the academic or the serious student. I have to say things have changed greatly if this is an example of the reading the laity undertook all those years ago.

This book in my opinion is still for the serious student of Scripture. It is not the strictly academic material that Carson produced though, so for those of you who want to work a bit at reading this I think you will be rewarded for your efforts. Carson’s reputation and other work vouch for his ability as a scholar. The text is dense and the vocabulary well above most of the popular work I’ve viewed recently. His arguments cover most of the opinions held related to a section of Scripture, and he will show the reader which is the superior interpretation in his opinion.

The book has no endnotes or bibliography. Poetry or lyrics quoted are attributed to its author, but not to a specific work. There are no study questions or recommended readings for further study. The preface states that the book is the product of a “series of addresses given at several conferences….and rewritten as essays.” (9) Maybe the title could have been Essays on the Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus?

Overall, if you are interested in the topic this would be a good choice.

I received this book from the publishers in return for a review.

[Neville Ridley-smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was more in depth than I'm used to.

You ever have one of those books where you read it and then you can't remember what you read? That was the case for me with this. I feel like this requires more time than I was prepared to give it.

Having said that, in future when I read this passage again, I'm sure I'll recall some of what Carson said.

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Don. Deep and devotional.
He leaves no stone unturned. Very helpful and heart warming.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exposition of John 14-17. Part commentary, but very warm, very encouraging, not academic in tone. So basically what you hope for in any good Christian book, but with the crucial difference that the content is drawn verse by verse from the Bible, which carries so much extra weight. I'm really impressed by Don Carson's combination of raw scriptural content (the majority), warm encouragment, biblical rigour, helpful but rare illustrations & practical applications. The theme from John 14-17 that has really grabbed me is the constant, "fabric of life" interaction between Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus' disciples (me).

[Mundy Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used this to help me in preparing for a sermon series in the Upper Room Discourse. Carson is as always clear and helpful in his understanding of the Bible. The way in which he outlines things makes application easier for the reader.

Carson is a great help to the church - and as a friend of mine said recently "Read everything by the man".

[Rodrigo Lira · Rating 4 out of 5]

As exposições do Dr. D. A. Carson são muito profundas e nos conduzem a um maior conhecimento desses capítulos tão importante do Evangelho de João. Recomendo a leitura.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

D. A. Carson. The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Evangelical Exposition of John 14-17. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2018. 242 pp. $13.89.

As a pastor, I have taught through the Gospel According to John at least twice, and of course have gone back to the text many times. Whenever I study this book, I eagerly refer back to D. A. Carson’s commentary in the Pillar set. So I am a fan. And thus I am a fan of this shorter work by Carson aimed at helping anyone in the church body to gain a greater understanding of John 14-17.

Carson is a brilliant writer. He can move from faithful exegesis and examination of Greek on the one hand to citing the lyrics of sweet old hymns on the next. He can go from heavy argument on more difficult verses on the one hand to talking us through what it means that Jesus calls us his friends on the next. Carson knows how to be the scholar and he knows how to right as a fellow believer with all the rest of us.

Carson’s work on the farewell discourse feels much like his commentaries, though the heavier lifting is not there. Unlike a scholarly commentary, when Carson runs across a debated point in the text in this work, he will not offer 4 or 5 alternative views before making his argument for his preference. Instead, he simply gives us the argument he believes is correct. This is no weakness to this book. Rather, it is a product of the purpose of the text. Carson is writing here for pastors and laypersons who want to go deeper in their study but who do not want to purchase a $50 commentary on the subject. He wants to be readable and understandable without bogging people down in minutia. And Carson, as always, does an excellent job of finding the balance between heavy scholarship and readability.

If you would like a solid book to help you to do an in-depth Bible study with other believers on the farewell discourse of Jesus, this would be a great tool for you. No, it is not a fluffy work. No, it does not offer you study questions and outlines for the study. This book simply takes you through the text, shows you its meaning, and draws for you helpful application. If you are interested in such things, this book is a good one.

** I received a free copy of this work from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carson is a scholar and often writes for ministers or students. This commentary on Jesus' farewell discourse and final prayer as recorded in John 14-17 is designed to be available to the church in general. This book is a reprint edition of the original from 2008.

There were comments on several topics in the book that I really appreciated. Carson explores what it means that Christ “emptied himself” as noted in Phil. 2:5-11. He compares that to Jesus doing the Father's work and that he is the fullness of deity in Godly form. (Col. 2:9) Carson concludes that Jesus abandoned any use of his divine prerogatives and capabilities that he would not have had as a mere man unless the Father directed him to use them. He also writes about Jesus hiding his own glory and showing the glory of the Father in his words and deeds. (Loc 596/3637) That explains why the disciples did not realize they had been seeing the Father.

Another one was Jesus as “friend.” We sing hymns about Jesus being our friend. But Carson notes, while Jesus calls the disciples his friends, Jesus is not said to be their friend. (Loc 1760/3637) Carson warns of a chummy view of friendship and advises we preserve “the fundamental distinction between Jesus and those he redeems.” (Loc 1782/3637) He also reminds us that being a friend of Jesus is all about obedience. Carson goes on to explore the difference between friend and slave.

There was a very good explanation of what it means that believers would do “greater” works than Jesus. (John 14:12) Another good section was on Jesus' prayer for the unity of his followers.

Carson goes through this section of Scripture with careful attention to detail. The result of a very readable commentary that is full of insights I really appreciated. While Carson does write about the Greek from time to time, it is done in a way so that laypeople can easily understand. I recommend this book to Christians in general as it contains a scholarly and well thought out exploration of the Bible passages with the lay person in mind.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Jason Kanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spend a lot of time reading and thinking about John 13-17, the upper room discourse. It is arguably my favorite section of scripture. It shows the intimacy of Jesus with his disciples at a depth that we do not find elsewhere in the scriptures. John was inspired to recollect this evening meal with detail we do not get to see in many places. I like to envision what that dinner and conversation looked like, what everyone felt.

D.A. Carson chose to explore this section in great detail as well, devoting over 200 pages to Jesus' Farewell discourse in his new book The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus (Baker, 2018). Carson's exposition focuses on chapters 14 to 17, though in the prologue, he starts with chapter 13.

As I began reading the prologue, I was immediately drawn in to Carson's wording. I felt a kindred spirit as he envisioned the upper room as I have so often done. He effectively places the reader right there in the midst of the thirteen men. I was hoping for that sort of magic (forgive me, that seems to be the best-fitting word) throughout the remainder of the book. It was there, but less present.

Carson is undoubtedly a master exegete. His capacity to examine a text and help us to see what is actually being communicated is remarkable. In this book, he identifies details and themes that most people, perhaps even those with theological training, might miss. He explores Christ in community--with his disciples, and with the rest of the Trinity.

On the whole, a person interested in developing a much deeper understanding of the farewell discourse could do worse than Carson. My criticisms are few and perhaps idiosyncratic. As I mentioned above, I wish the imagery presented in the prologue would have persisted with greater consistency, though that likely would have changed the nature of the book. Second, Carson's vocabulary may make this book inaccessible to many readers, unless they are willing to read with a dictionary at hand. Come to think of it, that is probably a wise practice to consider.

I received a review copy of this book from Baker Books in exchange for my review. The viewpoints presented above are my own.

[Karl Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the coming of the Holy Spirit, and then some. Well not quite, but Don Carson, in this book covering a few chapters of the Gospel of John, does a good job of eliminating some of the confusion. As Carson writes in the preface, this book is meant for the ‘church at large’ rather than academia. And for that we owe him a heartfelt thank you. As part of a Doctoral program, I’ve read other books by Carson, and there is definitely a difference between academic and the general public. I’m glad that he has recognized the difference
Reading through the gospels is never an easy job, and for many lay people, the Gospel of John, with its emphasis on the deity of God, is slightly more difficult than the accounts of Jesus' life and ministry as narrated in the Gospels off Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If you are one of those who want to understand the Fourth Gospel, but find yourself struggling, The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Evangelical Exposition of John 14-17 (Baker Books, 1980, repackaged edition 2018) may be the book you’ve been looking for. Almost 40 years later the writing is still fresh, and the questions posed are still troubling people in the pews. And of course, the answers are still relevant.
The Disciples were confused, as many of us still are, at Jesus’ words in these few pages, and Carson does an admirable job of pointing out a number of issues that cause that confusion, as well as some of the opposing arguments. I’m going- you can’t come, but then I’ll be back for you. You won’t see me, then you will see me. I’m praying for me, for you, and all those who will come later. Yes there’s a lot with which to wrestle.
I see a sermon series in the near future, and the folks in our weekly Bible study group are going to be blessed with this approach to the Fourth Gospel.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
5/5

[Joel Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this very accessible look at the teachings of Jesus before he headed to the cross, D. A. Carson encourages the growing disciple. The disciple is first encouraged as Carson explores John 13 with a creative narrative that gets into the minds of those present at the foot washing. We are then swept into deeper knowledge regarding Jesus' teachings on love, the only way to the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence in the midst of persecution. While these were great teaching for the original disciples they still remain illuminating to the present day disciple as we seek to understand and grow into God's purpose. Of particular impact is the exposition on the teachings of the Holy Spirit. There is great value in this text in understanding the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Carson makes sure to emphasize that the Holy Spirit is a separate member of the Godhead, gifted by both the Father and the Son in order to convict of sin and enable the disciple to do ministry in the world. The final section of the book is dedicated to John 17, the prayer that Jesus offers for himself, the disciples, and those who believe because of the disciples' testimony. In exploring this, Carson continues to encourage today's disciples to stand strong in the faith while also elucidating God's purpose through Jesus Christ and the church.
Overall, "The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus" is a very enjoyable and informative read. While it does not add much to the ongoing study of Christ, His work and the work of the Holy Spirit, the book does a great job at exploring these things in a very understandable manner.
I received this book as a part of Baker Books Blogging program.

[Travis Heystek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus (An Evangelical Exposition of John 14-17) by: D.A. Carson

This was a great book. It offered a rounded perspective that I felt many different denominations could appreciate. It was certainly not an easy read. There were multiple sections that went over my head the first time and I had to really dig in and reread. So, if you’re hoping for a entry level exposition of John 14-17 this book is not the place to start. If you’re a pastor looking to do a series or fully understand this passage it’s a great book to dig into. I’d plan to spend at least a month or so digging in and reading through it.
There were a lot of bite size nuggets that really got me thinking, great bit of insight that helped to establish connections with other parts of scripture. I look forward to the next time I preach on these chapters of the Bible. My one complaint would be there wasn’t a lot in the way of application. In my opinion, the rubber really meets the road in a book when it helps you make a life connection that is immediately applicable. This book is a great thinker and the application is there eventually, but it certainly isn’t a Christian “D.I.Y.” either. I’d give this book a 4 out of 5. I’ll probably read it again at some point when I can take more time to get through it.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

D.A. Carson has republished his exposition of John 14 - 17 under the title The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: an Evangelical Exposition of John 14 - 17. Originally presented as a series of addresses for a number of academic conferences across North America, The Farewell Discourse offers an extended mediation on the import of Jesus's final extended time of preparation with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. That the chapters were originally given in an academic context is clear, all things considered, which makes the content dry at points. However, the work is not a commentary, strictly speaking, and those elements proper in an address but not in a lecture--such as pulling extended sections from related hymns and poems to illustrate a point--make the slog more bearable at points.

And this book can feel like a slog. I personally consider the Upper Room Discourse to be the height of the didactic material in the gospels. As far as I'm concerned, there is not a greater concentration of powerful and relevant material for the contemporary disciple of Jesus. There's comfort, hope, and promises of vindication even in the face of persecution and suffering.

That said, Carson milks as much as he can out of chapters 14 - 17 to the degree that the material would perhaps have been better suited for a commentary, which affords the ability to--and works with the reader's expectation that the author will--pay attention to minute details of the text and chase down interpretative arguments. Content-wise, the book is rich. There's relatively little to quibble with as far as Carson's interpretation of John 14 - 17 is concerned. Nevertheless, perhaps the mode in which the book was written could have undergone a kind of revision. Something a little less dense, a little less like a commentary cutout, etc.

Despite that minor issue, Carson's work in The Farewell Discourse is valuable and certainly worth the shelf space. He contributes to one's understanding of the Upper Room and functions as a worthy consult for popular-level Johannine studies.

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Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers http://www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksb... program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa....

[Evelyn Lilyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent exposition on John 14-17. This is a great book for the Bible teacher and ministry student alike. D.A. Carson sheds light on the last supper, Jesus' proclamation of the coming of the Holy Spirit, and His last prayer for His disciples. The study is broken down verse by verse, making it easy to follow. Carson's Bible teaching expertise is evident in this book, his Biblical knowledge and professional voice make this study an excellent theology book on some of the most iconic Biblical scenes. I love that the scriptural portion discussed in each chapter have been included at the beginning of each chapter, making it easier to follow along.

I recommend this book to Bible teachers, ministry students, and to those serious about Bible study.

I received a copy of this book from Baker in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[Lovely Loveday · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Evangelical Exposition of John 14 -17
by D. A. Carson is a very informative read that is full of scripture. Each chapter shares selected verses that are explained and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a better understand of the scripture. Overall, I enjoyed reading The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus: An Evangelical Exposition of John 14 -17 and the insight that Carson shares.

[Tim Goldsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love? Carson does a great job here, knuckling down on the detail, the contentious issues and the complexities of the text, whilst managing to do so in a really readable manner!
When he's hot "the Don" is really hot, and this commentary is an absolute cracker for anyone who wants to spend more time thinking about the "last supper", and Jesus'final recorded conversation with his gathered followers.

[Stan Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is full of insight and unpacks the meaning in a way that helps us apply the words to our life. Very helpful for those who preach or teach this passage of Scripture. Not the kind of book you read and then put away but something you want to keep around for future reference.

[John Funnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful

Sound exegesis

Expect nothing less from Don Carson

Solid

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed every DA Carson book I’ve read. He’s very academic…you have to be in the right mindset when you read them, which is why I like to take my time. But I always learn a lot.

[Luke Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It was so helpful, thorough yet easy to read!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was read in small increments and discussed at our weekly women's Bible study. The book was well organized, very thought provoking, and led to some excellent discussions. Typical of any end-of-life discourse, Jesus conveys his love for the disciples and reminds them that he is telling them more than they can understand but will remember his words later. Probably the biggest truth I took away was that we today are better off with the indwelling Holy Spirit than the disciples were when Jesus was with them. That's one of the hard truths He told them that they didn't want to hear. The book conveyed Jesus' caring heart for the men he loved.

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and resourceful.