This volume makes a contribution to interpretation of this Gospel focusing attention on the Gospel itself as a series of conversations between the early Christian prophet and his immediate audience, the charismatic leaders and their followers in the churches of Judea and Jerusalem before the war with Rome, A.D. 66-70. The context of these conversations is one of great danger, often of martyrdom, which impelled the spirit-guided prophet to address to his charismatic colleagues these messages from the risen Lord. The book analyzes the central thrust of these messages, provoking fresh encounters between modern readers and the ancient author.

Keener's commentary explores the Jewish and Greco-Roman settings of John more deeply than previous works, paying special attention to social-historical and rhetorical features of the Gospel. It cites about 4,000 different secondary sources and uses over 20,000 references from ancient literature.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1872. The publishing house Anatiposi publishes historical books as reprints. Due to their age, these books may have missing pages or inferior quality. Our aim is to preserve these books and make them available to the public so that they do not get lost.