The Gospel of John is certainly one of the most loved books in the New Testament. Its revelation of God the Father and his love for humankind, its presentation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour of the world, and its depiction of the Holy Spirit as the Advocate who dwells with and teaches believers are outstanding. Its portrayal of God’s saving work in terms of eternal life leading to resurrection complements that of the Synoptic Gospels that portray it as the kingdom of God now present and consummated at the return of Christ. Jesus’ statement that he has prepared places for his followers in his Father’s presence, and that he will come back and take them to be with him there, is the great hope of all who believe in him.
I am grateful for the opportunity to upgrade my earlier commentary on the Gospel of John, first published in 2003, and I want to express my thanks to Dr Philip Duce, Senior Commissioning Editor at Inter-Varsity Press, and Professor Eckhard Schnabel, the Series Editor of the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, for the invitation to do so. This provides an opportunity to thoroughly revise, expand and update it in the light of more recent studies and so enhance its value for present-day readers. This new edition is based on the widely used New International Version (2011).
It is my hope and prayer that this new edition will also assist readers to understand better the Gospel of John, and by so doing enable them to know better the only true God whose glory, grace and truth were revealed in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. To know this God and Jesus Christ whom he sent is to experience eternal life (John 17:3).
This revised edition, like the earlier one, is affectionately dedicated to my wife, Rosemary, in deep appreciation for her love and companionship over many years, which I hope will continue for many years to come.
Colin G. Kruse