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New Testament For Everyone #6
John for Everyone: Part Two Chapters 11-21
Making use of his scholar's understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright manages to unravel the great complexity of the extraordinary Gospel of John. He describes it as "one of the great books in the literature of the world; and part of its greatness is the way it reveals its secrets not just to a high-flown leaning but to those who come to it with humility and hope." Wright's stimulating comments are combined with his own fresh and inviting translation of the Bible text.
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.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN 0664227902 here.
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.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN 0664227902 here.
202 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2002
177 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Tom Wright
119 books240 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 - 29 of 43 reviews
August 22, 2021
This guide through John's gospel was really helpful for me as I led our evening Bible study group. I learned a lot about how John crafted the book to bring out certain resonances with the rest of the Bible (and within this gospel itself). I had never noticed the many ways that John is creating a "new Genesis," suggesting numerous connections and mirrors between the beginning of the Bible and his presentation of the life of Jesus. The gospel of John is just a brilliant book, and I'm glad to understand the literary beauty more clearly.
My overwhelming impression after studying John's gospel: Jesus is awesome.
My overwhelming impression after studying John's gospel: Jesus is awesome.
June 1, 2015
I think ol' Tom has jumped the shark.
(Note that the copy I have shows the author as N.T. Wright, but I've also seen books with the authors name of Tom Wright. Maybe he's trying to be more relatable?)
I just have to say how disappointed I am in this book. Especially after I liked Matthew for Everyone.
This is supposed to be a guide to John for everyone. But at best, it's vague, doesn't expand on the text, or clarify anything. At worst it uses jargon that anyone outside evangelical Christianity will find hard to follow.
On Jesus coming to earth:
He laid aside the clothes of glory, and put on our human nature, in order to wash our feet.
On the resurrection of Lazarus:
And the dead man comes out - a heart-stopping moment of shuddering horror and overwhelming joy, mixed together like dark mud and liquid gold.
Instead of explaining things in this commentary , he says things like:
The only way forward is to allow all the different ideas and levels, the clashes of meaning and misunderstanding, to echo around until they produce prayer, awe, silence and love.
(I just noticed - no Oxford comma. *sigh*)
Also:
Stand in your mind's eye with the disciples in the boat. What projects have you been labouring over, and getting nowhere? Watch for the dawn. Watch for the figure on the shore. Listen for his voice. And then do whatever he tells you.
It just doesn't read like it's for everyone.
It sounds more like the Daily Devotional books that Donald Miller talks about than a commentary. Cute stories that only barely illustrate the points in the scripture. Unanswered questions. Vague emotional inspirations.
He uses "I think" too much and fills in the blanks with speculation instead of using good scholarship.
I wish I could count how many times I wrote in the margins, "doesn't make sense" or "Really?" or "WTF?!?"
It's like Wright is trying to do a Max Lucado knockoff. Now, I think Lucado has his place, but it's not in a scholarly commentary intended to be accessible to anyone.
My first note in the book (on page 1) is: "How old is Wright? Is it possible he's starting to lose his edge?"
By the time I finished it, I felt like he'd lost it completely.
(Note that the copy I have shows the author as N.T. Wright, but I've also seen books with the authors name of Tom Wright. Maybe he's trying to be more relatable?)
I just have to say how disappointed I am in this book. Especially after I liked Matthew for Everyone.
This is supposed to be a guide to John for everyone. But at best, it's vague, doesn't expand on the text, or clarify anything. At worst it uses jargon that anyone outside evangelical Christianity will find hard to follow.
On Jesus coming to earth:
He laid aside the clothes of glory, and put on our human nature, in order to wash our feet.
On the resurrection of Lazarus:
And the dead man comes out - a heart-stopping moment of shuddering horror and overwhelming joy, mixed together like dark mud and liquid gold.
Instead of explaining things in this commentary , he says things like:
The only way forward is to allow all the different ideas and levels, the clashes of meaning and misunderstanding, to echo around until they produce prayer, awe, silence and love.
(I just noticed - no Oxford comma. *sigh*)
Also:
Stand in your mind's eye with the disciples in the boat. What projects have you been labouring over, and getting nowhere? Watch for the dawn. Watch for the figure on the shore. Listen for his voice. And then do whatever he tells you.
It just doesn't read like it's for everyone.
It sounds more like the Daily Devotional books that Donald Miller talks about than a commentary. Cute stories that only barely illustrate the points in the scripture. Unanswered questions. Vague emotional inspirations.
He uses "I think" too much and fills in the blanks with speculation instead of using good scholarship.
I wish I could count how many times I wrote in the margins, "doesn't make sense" or "Really?" or "WTF?!?"
It's like Wright is trying to do a Max Lucado knockoff. Now, I think Lucado has his place, but it's not in a scholarly commentary intended to be accessible to anyone.
My first note in the book (on page 1) is: "How old is Wright? Is it possible he's starting to lose his edge?"
By the time I finished it, I felt like he'd lost it completely.
March 30, 2014
One of the two best commentaries I have ever read. N. T. Wright's approach is to paint with broad strokes, not walk through John's gospel verse by verse, but in doing so, he really captures the spirit of the book. I left feeling like I knew what it was about, more so than I have in my own readings of the text. He uses his own translations, opens each section with a brief story that makes a connection to the events, and then simply and clearly shows how those particular verses fit into the grand message of the beloved disciple.
John is my favorite book of the Bible, and Wright made it even more so.
John is my favorite book of the Bible, and Wright made it even more so.
July 5, 2023
“If you are going to do any single solitary thing as a follower and servant of Jesus, this is what it’s built on: somewhere, deep down inside, there is a love for Jesus, and though (goodness knows) you’ve let him down enough times, he wants to find that love, to give you a chance to express it, to heal the hurts and failures of the past, and give you new work to do.”
March 26, 2018
I didn't know what to expect when I bought John for Everyone, Part 1. I had (and still have) mixed feelings about how Tom writes. So often he seems to just trail off on points and not finish explaining them. I am sure a smarter person understands what he is saying in the amount of words he uses, but I am not a smarter person.
That being said, after finishing Part 1 I was enticed to read Part 2. Tom's elucidation of John's gospel is incredible. Yes, what he writes is not a detailed commentary. It is instead a high-level overview of the theme of John's gospel and John's view of who Christ was and what that means for us. Of course, he also ties in how this gospel so closely mirrors the Genesis account, and is, therefore, intended to be a new creation story. I would say I had previously heard about 20% of the things Tom writes about, and I had never heard someone explain the entire theme of the gospel so compellingly. Both parts 1 & 2 of these commentaries are infinitely worth your while.
That being said, after finishing Part 1 I was enticed to read Part 2. Tom's elucidation of John's gospel is incredible. Yes, what he writes is not a detailed commentary. It is instead a high-level overview of the theme of John's gospel and John's view of who Christ was and what that means for us. Of course, he also ties in how this gospel so closely mirrors the Genesis account, and is, therefore, intended to be a new creation story. I would say I had previously heard about 20% of the things Tom writes about, and I had never heard someone explain the entire theme of the gospel so compellingly. Both parts 1 & 2 of these commentaries are infinitely worth your while.
September 25, 2018
NT Wright's NT for Everyone series - especially on the four Gospels - are my first 'go-to' books to read up on a passage before teaching it. He provides shorts, incredibly insightful, easily digestible, and very punchy short chapters that aid me in teaching the Bible. Even in the places I don't agree with his theology (places where the new perspective seeps through) I still find his stuff incredibly stimulating. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2023
This is a good devotional commentary on the second half of John’s Gospel.
Together with the first part, these two books would be a good read for a young Christian going through John’s Gospel.
Even for someone like me, who forgets how many times he has read this Gospel (and how many Commentaries and Books I have also read), I found this quite a worthwhile and often thought-provoking read.
Highly recommended.
Together with the first part, these two books would be a good read for a young Christian going through John’s Gospel.
Even for someone like me, who forgets how many times he has read this Gospel (and how many Commentaries and Books I have also read), I found this quite a worthwhile and often thought-provoking read.
Highly recommended.
October 30, 2017
N. T. Wright's little commentaries are some of the most useful in my library. Just a remarkable insight, with a modern illustration to begin each section, tying its relevance into the here-and-now. Then a poignant focus on the most relevant aspects of the passage which help drive home the main points, teachings and challenges for our own lives.
March 8, 2018
One of his best
Wright explains so well what John is doing, as John explains so well what God has been doing since the beginning. The retelling of the creation story with the beginning of new creation and the second Adam is so insightful. I never saw all those allusions and connections. A great read on many levels.
Wright explains so well what John is doing, as John explains so well what God has been doing since the beginning. The retelling of the creation story with the beginning of new creation and the second Adam is so insightful. I never saw all those allusions and connections. A great read on many levels.
September 20, 2019
John for everyone is an easy and profound reading!
John for everyone is both simple and profound... theologically rich. NT Wright is such a boss when it comes to bringing down profound truth in simple ways. This book has enriched my reading of John’s gospel and add value to my personal reflections and my sermons.
John for everyone is both simple and profound... theologically rich. NT Wright is such a boss when it comes to bringing down profound truth in simple ways. This book has enriched my reading of John’s gospel and add value to my personal reflections and my sermons.
October 6, 2019
A great commentary
I am a huge fan of Wright's work, and this is no exception. I found that he had the right balance of academic knowledge balanced with meaningful devotional discussion. I felt a deep love for the Savior reading about the beautiful gospel of John, and this book helped me appreciate it on a deeper level.
I am a huge fan of Wright's work, and this is no exception. I found that he had the right balance of academic knowledge balanced with meaningful devotional discussion. I felt a deep love for the Savior reading about the beautiful gospel of John, and this book helped me appreciate it on a deeper level.
March 29, 2020
Awesome book. Hard to find the right switch between bible story and author's story
I love the book. It explains through stories the greatest book ever written. The book of john.
The author uses incredible literary techniques. Is amazing to see how he can make one part of the bible a simple or deep explanation.
God bless
I love the book. It explains through stories the greatest book ever written. The book of john.
The author uses incredible literary techniques. Is amazing to see how he can make one part of the bible a simple or deep explanation.
God bless
December 1, 2020
Illuminating
I always look first for Tom Wright books when I need some help with my Bible studies. In this series he includes the Bible passages, which means I could use just my kindle. His writing is clear, pleasant to read and his comments add both knowledge and personal experience. As always with Tom Wright, I recommend this book very highly.
June 11, 2021
This is the second part of the John for Everyone. I so enjoyed and learned so much from both books but I have to say the teaching on John 21 was outstanding and brought fresh insight into Peter's restitution and commission.
This series is a great tool for those wishing to go deeper in their knowledge and understanding and love for Jesus Christ and all he has done for us.
This series is a great tool for those wishing to go deeper in their knowledge and understanding and love for Jesus Christ and all he has done for us.
May 23, 2024
For a long time I've appreciated and benefitted from N. T. (Tom) Wright's scholarly work. In his "For Everyone" series, he doesn't discard his scholarly chops, but expresses them as a pastor. I've been reading consecutive selections each morning and have found them to be very helpful. I just ordered his book on Acts and will start that tomorrow! I'll let you know how that one goes . . .
September 8, 2017
3.5: not his best but still some gems in here. Several times where I felt he was overly speculative. But, NT Wright is still one of those theologians that is effective in helping me, not only understand but, love the Scriptures.
January 4, 2020
Sometimes more homilectic than commentary. But some lovely insights. Some good details. Some beautiful writing. Some wild conclusions and interesting statement, but in a way that provokes reflection and further reading. One does not have to agree with everything one reads.
August 31, 2020
I'm impressed that NTW could affix a relevant contemporary situation to nearly every passage of John. It was great to read this commentary along with William Barclay's and Craig Keener's IVP Bible Background Commentary as well.
May 29, 2023
Finishing this book, I feel like I have a completely different view of the gospel of John. Wright Mones the reader through the last part of John with compelling dialogue in his references. I feel closer to St. John, to my Jesus! Thank you so much N. T. Wright for helping me move deeper!
November 13, 2023
NT Wright in excellent. Whether you agree with everything or not, you have to agree he presents well and makes his point succinctly. I enjoy reading his commentaries and suspect most people from the pew to the pulpit will gain something from his writings.
December 10, 2018
Brief outlines in context connecting main idea to real life. I often use this series to help generate ideas for explaining sermon truths.
May 7, 2019
I love these "For Everyone" books. Very approachable.
August 20, 2019
Another Bible study on the Book of John - as good as the other but a bit different.
September 22, 2020
Great accessible yet profound devotional series. Would recommend to anyone!
May 14, 2021
Maybe not Wright's best of the series, but solid.
November 4, 2021
I include Wright's work in my daily reading and find it very well written, understandable, and helpful in my days. I have yet to come across a work by him that I don't find meaningful and engaging.
October 28, 2022
An able companion and guide through the second half of John’s gospel. Highly accessible and occasionally quite insightful.
January 1, 2023
So much insight!
August 15, 2023
Great for a Bible Study group.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 43 reviews