The Message of John

The Bible Speaks Today: New Testament

by Bruce Milne

John's Gospel has long been a favorite among Christians. In it we encounter the living Jesus in his glory and his humanity, portrayed with both simplicity and depth. Through the eyes of faith John retells the story of the Word, drawing out its meaning for his readers so that they "may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God" and "have life in his name."

In this Bible Speaks Today volume, longtime pastor Bruce Milne provides a thoughtful exposition of John well-suited to preachers and anyone who seeks a deeper appreciation of the text. He sets the stage with introductory material on the authorship of John, how it compares to the other three Gospels, and its purpose and theology. Then Milne guides readers passage-by-passage through the text, paying attention to practical application as well as interpretation. A study guide at the end of the book will help you to further ponder and apply the riches of this Gospel. This completely redesigned new edition includes updated language and Scripture quotations throughout.

As Milne puts it, "The mystery of Jesus Christ is the theme of this gospel; always beyond us, yet always summoning us to explore it more fully." With The Message of John, you have an accessible and reliable guide as you explore John's powerful portrait of Christ.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Theology, Christian Non Fiction, New Testament, Biblical Studies

485 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2020

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the past week I have read through the BST message of John with a inexpensive gospel of John, a pen and a highlighter.

Yes at times it's been a bit too complicated for me. However I have learnt a lot and what teaching from church or sometimes bible study class doesn't give you is a full picture. When I read a full gospel with a commentary it gives me more of an idea about the thoughts, feelings and attitude of the characters more than just studying a few lines in church.

There is always more to learn. And I would definitely read through another gospel with a BST book.

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite short commentary on The Gospel of John by Canadian pastor, Bruce Milne. I grade this slightly above the Kruse volume in Tyndale because Milne is more helpful in suggesting ways for preacher's to outline a given text. Milne also has some pithy and packed statements of personal and corporate application.

[Kevin Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably a 4.5 star book. While I thought Milne could have said a few things better and had some places of theological divergence, it overwhelmingly made me fall deeper in love with Jesus.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A conservative but good, and practical commentary on John's Gospel.

[Laura]

The Bible Speaks Today series is a steady and reliable choice for an accessible commentary.

[John B. MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever read a Bible commentary from cover to cover?

I don’t mean simply consulting a commentary and reading a bit of it on a text you want to understand better. I mean, you actually read the commentary from beginning to end.

On several occasions, I read a commentary in this way with great benefit.

Bruce Milne’s volume on the Gospel of John is the commentary I have read most recently. Of course, I am primarily reading the text of John’s Gospel—the commentary is my companion in this reading.

Milne’s knowledge and writing style combine wonderfully to give helpful, understandable, and enriching insights into the holy and ancient text of John. He brings understanding and encourages the practical expression of what you learn.

I encourage you to read a book of the Bible carefully, intelligently, and thoroughly, accompanied by a reliable commentary as your guide.

Not every commentary can be read in this manner. Two reliable commentary series that lend themselves to this kind of reading in both the Old and New Testaments are:

-The Bible Speaks Today (which includes Milne’s contribution), and
-The Tyndale Commentaries.

Perhaps you will begin with John’s Gospel.

This review appeared first in 'living theology' at https://www.johnbmacdonald.com/.

[David Keith]

John "The beloved disciple" pens the fourth Gospel with power & might as the "seven signs" & the "seven "I ams"" Strategically placed as the last Gospel has claims as being the most spiritually minded & most eloquent of all Gospels written of the Life, death. and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although this book is an item from the "Message" series it is not simple, but very complicated to follow amid poetry of all things. Explaining a text using poetry as a vehicle is very lop~sided it is at best that. I was very daunted with this book and use it as less often as possible for reference. I am not a lover of poetry, yet I still see this book objectively overwhelming when poetry is in use at expounding ( making very clear & simple the text) the depth of the Gospel of John.

[Glyn Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, anything in the BST range is worth buying. Have a number of them on my shelf already.

They are well-written, give great insight, and are good references when doing sermon prep.

The entire range is good for all pastors and students. Little too technical sometimes for the average Joe.