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The New International Commentary on the New Testament
The Gospel of John (New International Commentary on the New Testament
This new commentary ― part of Eerdmans’s acclaimed NICNT series ― gives primary attention to John’s gospel in its present form rather than the sources or traditions behind it.
J. Ramsey Michaels assumes that the John who authored the book is someone very close to Jesus and, therefore, that the gospel is a testimony to events that actually happened in the life of Jesus. Yet Michaels does not ignore the literary character of the gospel of John or its theological contribution to the larger Christian community from its own time to the present day. Through a detailed verse-by-verse commentary, Michaels reveals how the gospel of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is a unified composition, intertwined with the synoptics, yet drawing on material none of them cover.
J. Ramsey Michaels assumes that the John who authored the book is someone very close to Jesus and, therefore, that the gospel is a testimony to events that actually happened in the life of Jesus. Yet Michaels does not ignore the literary character of the gospel of John or its theological contribution to the larger Christian community from its own time to the present day. Through a detailed verse-by-verse commentary, Michaels reveals how the gospel of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is a unified composition, intertwined with the synoptics, yet drawing on material none of them cover.
1132 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 28, 2017
J. Ramsey Michaels has provided us with a massive commentary on the Gospel of John in the New International Commentary of the New Testament series. This volume replaced the much-used and much-loved commentary by Leon Morris in that series. I had read good things about this book, and even had a few people say it was their favorite, so I was happy to delve into it for myself. Though I was ultimately convinced that I must give this book a high rating, I did find a few things not in its favor.
The Introduction, in my view, was not up to par for commentaries of this size. In defense of Mr. Michaels, he purposely kept it short and feels that Introductions would be better written after the fact. It almost read like a few reflections he wanted to share when he was finished. There’s not a lot of background either, but he also chose not to go that direction. He feels such background makes better sense in specific passages. The first part of his Introduction on the nature of John’s Gospel was interesting. He commented most on the authorship of the Gospel of John and was sympathetic to the traditional position, but choose to keep it anonymous since the author’s name is not mentioned. He almost sees anonymity as a trait of this gospel. He speaks only briefly of truth claims, the relationship of John to the other Gospels, and the structure of John’s Gospel, which I thought was the most lacking in the Introduction. He barely spoke of textual issues, and his section on theological contributions, which was good, was only four pages.
One other issue I had with the volume was that what he called the first tier of commentaries that helped him write his was Bultmann (!), Schnackenburg, Brown, and Barrett. At least Morris, Carson, and Keener were in his second tier. I felt at times that his first tier had too much influence on what he said. On the other hand, I would agree with many others who say that he came up with his own unique, fresh perspective.
You may ask why I would still rate this a five-star commentary considering the issues I have stated I have with it. Why must I? It’s the incredible, thoughtful content in the commentary itself. Every passage I interacted with taught me things that I had read nowhere else. Even though there might be a sentence that I disagreed with, in the next paragraph he would tie the passage into the larger context of John, or tie it into some other passage in John, or give some amazing exegetical insight that I found extremely helpful.
All in all, while this may not be my first choice on the Gospel of John, it is one that I will always consult going forward. A book that gets me thinking and opens other side paths in grasping a passage’s meaning is a winner in my book. I recommend it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Introduction, in my view, was not up to par for commentaries of this size. In defense of Mr. Michaels, he purposely kept it short and feels that Introductions would be better written after the fact. It almost read like a few reflections he wanted to share when he was finished. There’s not a lot of background either, but he also chose not to go that direction. He feels such background makes better sense in specific passages. The first part of his Introduction on the nature of John’s Gospel was interesting. He commented most on the authorship of the Gospel of John and was sympathetic to the traditional position, but choose to keep it anonymous since the author’s name is not mentioned. He almost sees anonymity as a trait of this gospel. He speaks only briefly of truth claims, the relationship of John to the other Gospels, and the structure of John’s Gospel, which I thought was the most lacking in the Introduction. He barely spoke of textual issues, and his section on theological contributions, which was good, was only four pages.
One other issue I had with the volume was that what he called the first tier of commentaries that helped him write his was Bultmann (!), Schnackenburg, Brown, and Barrett. At least Morris, Carson, and Keener were in his second tier. I felt at times that his first tier had too much influence on what he said. On the other hand, I would agree with many others who say that he came up with his own unique, fresh perspective.
You may ask why I would still rate this a five-star commentary considering the issues I have stated I have with it. Why must I? It’s the incredible, thoughtful content in the commentary itself. Every passage I interacted with taught me things that I had read nowhere else. Even though there might be a sentence that I disagreed with, in the next paragraph he would tie the passage into the larger context of John, or tie it into some other passage in John, or give some amazing exegetical insight that I found extremely helpful.
All in all, while this may not be my first choice on the Gospel of John, it is one that I will always consult going forward. A book that gets me thinking and opens other side paths in grasping a passage’s meaning is a winner in my book. I recommend it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 25, 2013
This is a nice evangelical commentary on John that is also useful to liberal protestants and Catholics. Don't let the number of pages scare you, the book is printed in an easy to read font. The introduction to the Gospel is a little light (hence only 4 stars) and does not cover dating of the Gospel. The commentary is excellent and deals with critical as well as theological issues. Were I buying a single commentary on John, as a student of middle-brow reader, I would choose this one. The commentary effectively engages the four classic standard academic commentaries (Bultmann, Schnackenburg, Dodd, and Brown). The commentary is well footnoted and has excellent references.
November 14, 2017
The Gospel of John is an New Testament commentary, written by J. Ramsey Michaels and published by Eerdmands. Commentaries on the Gospel of John can be either highly critical or devotional in nature. I therefore was pleasantly surprised when I read Michales work and found it to be more or less on the conservative side while still engaging with high criticism scholarship. It has been a long time since a scholarly mostly conservative work has been published on the Gospel of John and Michales did not disappoint, weighing in at almost just over 1000 pages.
This commentary is a newer edition of the famous New International Commentary on the New Testament Series, a series which is synonymous with excellent exegesis and superior application, this volume not only continues this legacy, but truly propels it to new heights. This volume is one of the most articulate and practical commentaries on the one of the books of history which is usually bogged down by from criticism and or long discussions on genocide. Yet while Michales does answer these critical issues, something he does flawlessly by the way, he interacts with critical scholarship in a way most conservative commentators don’t. From this it is easy to see why Michales is a highly regarded scholar and superior exegete.
The Gospel of John has two main sections the typical general introduction, and then followed by a insightful exegetical commentaries on the Gospel of John. With regard to the general introduction it is the typical study into the introductory matters of the book and how they relate to the Bible as a whole. This is a serious scholarly work which dives into contextual as well as the as the different methodical approaches to study of this book Michales takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. He does not use his own translation of the Greek text, yet this is not common in the NICNT series as a whole. I do wish though that there was more application to some of the more difficult passages.
While I disagree with Michales on a few minor issues with regard to New Testament date of writing, the arguments he makes are sound I just adhere to a earlier date of composition. One are I did greatly enjoy is Michales discussion of the eight I am statements.
Michales is innovate in his interpretation and application while staying stalwart in his commitment to orthodoxy. In the vein of recommending, The Gospel of John, to others I would recommend this commentary to pastors and scholars, yet I would highly recommend pastors, such as myself, to pair this scholarly commentary with one that is one that has more of a pastoral tone. There are many commentaries about Gospel of John available at this moment but The Gospel of John of the New International Commentary on the New Testament series is a very scholarly works worthy of your time.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Eerdmans in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
The Gospel of John: New International Commentary on the New Testament
© 2010 by J. Ramsey Michaels
Publisher: Eerdmans
Page Count: 1132 Pages
ISBN: 978-0802823021
This commentary is a newer edition of the famous New International Commentary on the New Testament Series, a series which is synonymous with excellent exegesis and superior application, this volume not only continues this legacy, but truly propels it to new heights. This volume is one of the most articulate and practical commentaries on the one of the books of history which is usually bogged down by from criticism and or long discussions on genocide. Yet while Michales does answer these critical issues, something he does flawlessly by the way, he interacts with critical scholarship in a way most conservative commentators don’t. From this it is easy to see why Michales is a highly regarded scholar and superior exegete.
The Gospel of John has two main sections the typical general introduction, and then followed by a insightful exegetical commentaries on the Gospel of John. With regard to the general introduction it is the typical study into the introductory matters of the book and how they relate to the Bible as a whole. This is a serious scholarly work which dives into contextual as well as the as the different methodical approaches to study of this book Michales takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. He does not use his own translation of the Greek text, yet this is not common in the NICNT series as a whole. I do wish though that there was more application to some of the more difficult passages.
While I disagree with Michales on a few minor issues with regard to New Testament date of writing, the arguments he makes are sound I just adhere to a earlier date of composition. One are I did greatly enjoy is Michales discussion of the eight I am statements.
Michales is innovate in his interpretation and application while staying stalwart in his commitment to orthodoxy. In the vein of recommending, The Gospel of John, to others I would recommend this commentary to pastors and scholars, yet I would highly recommend pastors, such as myself, to pair this scholarly commentary with one that is one that has more of a pastoral tone. There are many commentaries about Gospel of John available at this moment but The Gospel of John of the New International Commentary on the New Testament series is a very scholarly works worthy of your time.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Eerdmans in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
The Gospel of John: New International Commentary on the New Testament
© 2010 by J. Ramsey Michaels
Publisher: Eerdmans
Page Count: 1132 Pages
ISBN: 978-0802823021
April 11, 2024
Un commentaire très bien écrit, l'auteur explore de manière satisfaisante chaque passage, nous donnant toutes les infos grammaticales, de parallèles avec le reste de l'écriture. De plus il est très facile à suivre dans ses explications, un style simple et direct sans fioriture. C'est toujours avec plaisir que l'on consulte ce commentaire et on y apprend toujours quelque chose.
Cependant.... Il est beaucoup trop frileux à tirer des conclusions théologiques des textes qu'il commente, de savoir ce qu'il comprend ou retire de son travail. J'ai parfois été un peu frustré de cela, de ne pas pouvoir partager plus avec lui.
Mais ça reste un excellent outil d'étude de l'évangile selon Jean
Cependant.... Il est beaucoup trop frileux à tirer des conclusions théologiques des textes qu'il commente, de savoir ce qu'il comprend ou retire de son travail. J'ai parfois été un peu frustré de cela, de ne pas pouvoir partager plus avec lui.
Mais ça reste un excellent outil d'étude de l'évangile selon Jean
June 12, 2025
This is a large well written commentary of typical NICNT format and approach. I always love a commentary where the focus is on the text in its present form rather than a prior form for which there is absolutely no documented textual evidence. The author does not hint at his particular evangelical background, but focuses on what the text says rather than idiosyncratic denominational readings.
Long, but worthwhile (I read over a 7 month period with a morning devotional time).
Long, but worthwhile (I read over a 7 month period with a morning devotional time).
April 19, 2024
Michaels intentionally does deal with much history of interpretation nor any interaction with critical approaches to the text. He instead just deals with the text as we have it. He provides some helpful insight at points along the way, but sometimes it seems like he's just trying to say something different than Carson (PNTC).
December 5, 2016
This was a very in-depth commentary on John. While it is certainly a helpful reference and enjoyable read, one thing really bothered me. Michaels goes out of his way to deny Eucharistic allusions in the book, to the point that it's painful. Had he avoided doing this, I would have had a much higher rating.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews