Jesus as depicted in the Fourth Gospel is remarkably dissimilar to the Jesus found in the Synoptic Gospels. In this book, Ben Witherington III places the Gospel of John within its proper literary, historical, social, and theological contexts, especially those dealing with the wisdom traditions of Hellenistic Judaism. What emerges is a compelling argument that the Gospel of John has an agenda for mission in addition to concerns for discipleship and community life.
Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and is on the doctoral faculty at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is the author or coauthor of more than thirty books, including The Jesus Quest, The Paul Quest, and The New York Times bestseller The Brother of Jesus. He has appeared on the History Channel, NBC, ABC, CBS, and CNN.
Witherington provides helpful perspectives at times that differ from other major commentaries on John. This commentary is simple without being simplistic. However, there are conclusions that he arrives at from time-to-time from which I differ. Nevertheless, it has been a helpful addition to the commentaries I've used as I have preached through John these last 2 years.
As commentaries go this is truly a rich, enlightening tool for both devotion and sermon preparation. Dr. Witherington has again done magnificent work in handling the book of John and has provided proper material to enable preaching and teaching pastors.