The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary
Overview
In this commentary on John—originally published in Dutch in 1987 and translated into English a decade later—Herman Ridderbos engages the host of twentieth-century interpretations while also developing his own integral understanding of John in which the Gospel emerges as a profoundly theological work.
Beginning with a theological introduction on “the peculiar character of the Fourth Gospel,” Ridderbos uses verse-by-verse exposition to unpack John’s distinctive apostolic character, offering expert literary and homiletical exegesis of the Fourth Gospel “as the Christian church adopted it.”
- Presents John in its distinctively apostolic character
- Provides important criteria for the literary and homiletical exegesis of the Fourth Gospel
- Includes section-by-section commentary
Top Highlights
“In connection with the repeated and therefore emphatic ‘come and see’ this thrice-mentioned ‘staying,’ that is, ‘dwelling’ (vs. 38, twice in vs. 39), does in fact acquire an importance that is strongly reminiscent of an essential element in the core pronouncement of the prologue in 1:14: ‘He dwelled among us.’ The unforgettable beginning for Jesus’ first followers is precisely dated—down to the hour: Not only did they see that he lived among them and where he lived among them, but at his invitation they also stayed with him that day, and he spent time with them as a human among humans. So this encounter becomes the basis of all subsequent encounters in the sense that Jesus, though he was so much greater than John, nevertheless accepted them into the fellowship of his life and teaching.” (Pages 82–83)
“But Jesus’ fury and severity were not directed against the merchants’ or money changers’ profits but against the very fact of business being conducted in the precincts of the sanctuary. For him it was intolerable that the place of access to God’s holy dwelling and to communion with God himself was made into a place of trade in animals and money, a business for which in the nature of the case the temple was not intended. That his criticism was not only directed against the merchants but also concerned the authorities in the temple and the pilgrims in general, all of whom apparently accepted such a combination of contradictory matters as natural, is obvious and, as the sequel shows, was clearly understood as such by the Jewish leaders. The real conflict was between him and them.” (Page 116)
Ridderbos manages to comment on virtually everything that affects our understanding of the evangelist’s message, and that means that the commentary is ideally suited for pastors, as well as for students whose primary interest is the theology of the Fourth Gospel.
—Westminster Theological Journal
A rich resource for any preacher or student. . . Ridderbos effectively displays the historical and conceptual coherence of the Gospel of John.
—Interpretation
Readers familiar with Herman Ridderbos have come to expect outstanding scholarship from the well-known Dutch scholar. The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary should not disappoint anyone. . . Ridderbos’s commentary reflects balanced scholarship that endeavors to come to grips with what John was trying to say in his portrayal of Jesus. . . The commentary is a splendid example of theological analysis without postulating redactional layers and is a significant addition to works on John.
—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
- Title: The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary
- Author: Herman Nicolaas Ridderbos
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Print Publication Date: 1997
- Logos Release Date: 2012
- Pages: 735
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. John › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780802804532, 0802804535
- Resource ID: LLS:GOSPJNRIDDERBOS
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-18T22:44:54Z
Herman N. Ridderbos (1909–2007) was an influential New Testament scholar and theologian. Ridderbos studied at the Theological School of the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands and Free University of Amsterdam. He was a pastor for eight years and a professor for over forty. Ridderbos is most widely known and respected for his work on the history of salvation (Heilsgeschichte) and biblical theology. Many of his books appear in the Herman Ridderbos Collection, including Paul and Jesus.
Reviews
1 rating
Logosed
7/10/2020
This commentary on John is a "theological" interpretation of John's Gospel that is heavily influenced by Calvin's commentary and by Calvinism. It is easy enough to follow and provocative. If you are a sacramentalist, Ridderbos will annoy you beyond imagination (he hardly EVER sees allusions to the sacraments) although he always does so intelligently. My impression is that Ridderbos is a better Pauline scholar than a Johannine one, although there can be no doubt this is an important work. If you want an unorthodox commentary that is not intimidated by any "modern" interpretation or ecclesiastical interpretation of John this is a good buy.