The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John’s Gospel, Hebrews–Revelation
Overview
This powerful reference tool is a detailed biblical examination of the historical, cultural, and economic background of the Gospel of John and Hebrews–Revelation. Much more than simply theology or a word study, The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary transports the reader back into the setting of the New Testament to see, touch, and hear as much of that world as possible.
For the entire set, see The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: New Testament (3 vols.).
- Provides a verse-by-verse commentary of Hebrews through Revelation
- Covers historical events, social customs, and figures of speech in the first century
- Establishes the setting of New Testament writings
Top Highlights
“But John also implies some union in entity of the Logos and God. ‘And the Word was God’ (1:1). Here John uses the Greek verb eimi, which implies ongoing existence. John is making an absolute affirmation about the eternal existence of the Word. It did not come into being nor was there ever a time when ‘the Word was not.’” (Page 41)
“Second, John tells his readers elsewhere that they are not to love the world (1 John 2:15–17) because the world is a place of disbelief and hostility (15:18–19; 16:8).” (Page 54)
“The ‘Epistle to the Hebrews,’ however, is written in highly ornate and polished Greek to people who are familiar with the Greek translations of the Jewish Scriptures, and who have little or no firsthand knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. In fact, the author occasionally builds an argument on a Scriptural passage that can only be sustained based on the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and that would crumble where the Hebrew text could be brought out for comparison.” (Page 199)
“First, Judaism would rarely (or never) speak of God loving the world outside of Israel.” (Page 54)
“He was also a rabbi (3:1, 10). In 3:10 Jesus refers to him as ‘the teacher’ (not ‘a’ teacher) of Israel. Therefore he must have a distinguished reputation in Jerusalem. When the rabbi comes to Jesus at night (3:2) it may simply refer to his desire for privacy stemming from fear of the temple authorities. On the other hand, ‘night’ is likely a theological symbol (used frequently by John) which expresses Nicodemus’ spiritual relation to the truth. Darkness often refers to the realm of evil, untruth, and unbelief in John (9:4; 11:10). The only other actor who appears at night is Judas Iscariot who departs to betray Jesus (13:30). Nicodemus is a man of the darkness while Jesus is the light (1:4, 8). But here, he has made a serious choice: he has stepped into the light to make inquiries.” (Page 52)
- Title: John’s Gospel, Hebrews–Revelation
- Author: Craig A. Evans
- Edition: First Edition
- Series: The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary
- Publisher: David C. Cook
- Print Publication Date: 2005
- Logos Release Date: 2016
- Pages: 528
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. John › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Hebrews › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 1 John › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 2 John › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 3 John › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. James › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 1 Peter › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 2 Peter › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Jude › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Revelation › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780781442282, 9780781438681, 9780781440066, 0781442281, 0781438683, 0781440068
- Resource ID: LLS:BKBC64JN
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T17:13:05Z
Craig A. Evans earned his PhD in biblical studies at Claremont Graduate University and received his decretum habilitationis from Budapest. He is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament; Acadia Divinity College Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada; John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins (Houston Theological Seminary); a New Testament scholar; and a prolific author and popular teacher/speaker.
Evans is well-known for his work on the Gospels, the Historical Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the archaeology of the New Testament. His passion for archaeology has him frequently participating in Middle East digs and leading Holy Land tours. He has regularly appeared in television and radio interviews, such as the History Channel, BBC, and Dateline NBC, served as a consultant on the National Geographic Society's Gospel of Judas project and for The Bible television miniseries, and is featured in documentaries like Fragments of Truth and the Archaeology and Jesus series.
He's written hundreds of articles and reviews and published more than 70 books, including Jesus and His Contemporaries, Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies, Mark in the Word Biblical Commentary, Fabricating Jesus: How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospels, God Speaks, and Jesus and the Remains of His Days: Studies in Jesus and Archaeology. He coauthored Jesus, the Final Days with N. T. Wright.