Simple Guide to John

Paul J. McCarren, SJ, works at Loyola Retreat House and at St. Ignatius Church, both in Maryland, while continuing to write Simple Guides to the Bible. A Jesuit priest, he has spent many years in both parish and campus ministry.

• IntroductionWho needs a simple guide to John's Gospel?A simple messageSome big questions addressed by John's GospelAcknowledgmentsChapter 1 - Early Days Near the Jordan; the First Followers1:1-18 - The evangelist’s introduction1:19-28 - John the Baptist is challenged by the Jerusalem authorities1:29-34 - The Baptist recognizes Jesus as “the Lamb of God”1:35-42 - Jesus attracts disciples1:43-51 - Jesus tries to raise his disciples’ expectationsChapter 2 - Jesus at a Wedding in Galilee; Jesus Visiting Jerusalem2:1-12 - God’s glory revealed in Jesus’ response to a need at Cana2:13-25 - During Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus challenges merchants in the TempleChapter 3 - Nicodemus is Baffled - Comments - the Baptist’s Disciples are Baffled - Comments3:1-15 - Jesus, in Jerusalem, points out Nicodemus’ lack of faith3:16-21 - The evangelist comments on Jesus’ desire to give us divine light3:22-30 - John the Baptist tells his disciples to delight in Jesus’ teaching3:31-36 - The evangelist comments about Jesus’ wordsChapter 4 - Acceptance by Samaritans; Acceptance by a Royal Official4:1-26 - A Samaritan woman is invited to believe in Jesus . . . 4:27-30 . . . The woman gives witness to her belief4:31-45 - Jesus visits the woman’s town4:46-54 - One of Herod’s officials believes Jesus’ teaching because of a healingChapter 5 - Jerusalem Authorities Shocked by Jesus’ Belief in His Relationship with God5:1-16 - Jesus heals a sick man on the Sabbath – Protests5:17-30 - Jesus defends his work as God’s work5:31-47 - Jesus continues to defend his relationship with the FatherChapter 6 - Jesus Scandalizes His Fellow Galileans with the Gift of Himself6:1-15 - By giving thanks to God, Jesus feeds a hungry crowd6:16-21 - Jesus tells his disciples there is no need to fear6:22-35 - The well-fed crowd wants free food, not divine food6:35-51 - The crowd won’t believe Jesus’ offer to feed them true bread6:51-59 - Jesus pleads with the crowd to let him feed them properly6:60-71 - Even some disciples refuse Jesus’ offerChapter 7 - In Jerusalem, Jesus Again Proclaims God Is the Only Source of Life7:1-31 - Jesus rejects worldly success; in Jerusalem, he preaches scripture7:32-36 - The authorities want Jesus arrested; people still listen7:37-53 - Jesus says he’s the source of living water; some believe, some don’tChapter 8 - Jesus, Still in Jerusalem, Is Heckled and Threatened8:1-11 - Jesus is asked to make a judgment based on the Law 8:12-20 - Jesus once more defends his right to teach 8:21-30 - Jesus teaches that sin–turning from God–is death8:30-43 - Discipleship described as a struggle with sin8:44-59 - Jesus teaches about wickedness; the crowd rejects his teachingChapter 9 - Jesus Teaches by Healing a Blind Man9:1-12 - Jesus and his disciples encounter a blind man9:13-23 - Interrogation of the man who had been born blind9:24-34 - The interrogation continues9:35-41 - Jesus asks the newly-sighted man if he believesChapter 10 - Jesus Asks His Listeners Whom They Want to Follow; Another Feast10:1-10 - Even sheep know whom to follow10:11-21 - Jesus describes himself as the perfect shepherd10:22-30 - Jesus, in Jerusalem for another feast, offers divine life10:31-42 - Jesus’ offer of divine life rejectedChapter 11- Jesus Calls Lazarus to Life; the Authorities Plot Jesus’ Death11:1-16 - Jesus’ disciples are puzzled by his reaction to Lazarus’ illness11:17-31 - Jesus asks Martha if she believes11:32-44 - Jesus again gives thanks to the Father, so the crowd might believe11:45-57 - Rejecting belief; seeking deathChapter 12 - Jesus Returns to Friends in Bethany; Faces Threats in Jerusalem12:1-11 - Jesus’ dinner with friends causes mixed feelings12:12-19 - Jesus dares to enter Jerusalem12:20-36 - Greeks want to meet Jesus; Jesus embraces glory; the crowd is unsure12:37-43 - John puts Jesus’ failure into the context of scripture12:44-50 - Jesus’ soliloquy about teachingChapter 13 - Jesus Gathers with His Disciples for a Supper13:1-15 - Jesus washes his disciples’ feet13:16-20 - Jesus explains service13:21-30 - Jesus explains betrayal13:31-38 - Jesus speaks of love; Peter speaks of loyaltyChapter 14 – At Supper, Jesus Teaches about Trust, and Says the Spirit will Do the Same14:1-14 - Jesus advises the disciples to let God work in them14:15-31 - Those who follow Jesus’ instructions will be filled with the Spirit Chapter 15 - Jesus Says: You’re Part of Me; I Love You; Love One Another, not the World15:1-10 - Jesus describes the disciples’ relationship to him and the Father 15:11-17 - Jesus tells the disciples to learn to love as he does15:18-27 - The world has a different idea of loveChapter 16 - Another Promise to Send the Spirit; More Words of Encouragement16:1-11 - Jesus says it’s right for him to go, and for the Spirit to come16:12-24 - Jesus assures the disciples that their sorrow will turn to joy16:25-33 - Jesus says the disciples still have much to learnChapter 17 - Jesus Once More Looks to the Father17:1-5 - Jesus looks to the Father for glory17:6-19 - Jesus prays for his disciples17:20-26 - Jesus prays for all who believeChapter 18 - Jesus is Arrested, Abandoned by Friends, and Brought to Trial18:1-14 - Arrest18:15-19 - Peter denies knowing Jesus18:20-24 - Jesus’ trial begins18:25-27 - Peter again denies knowing Jesus18:28-32 - The Jewish authorities bring Jesus before Pilate18:33-40 - Pilate speaks with Jesus, then speaks with the JewsChapter 19 - Jesus is Tortured, Executed, and Buried19:1-8 - Pilate tries to mollify the crowd with torture19:9-16 - Pilate abandons control of the judicial proceeding19:17-27 - Jesus is crucified19:28-37 - Jesus dies19:38-42 - Jesus is buriedChapter 20 - The Tomb is Empty; Jesus Appears to His Disciples20:1-10 - Jesus is not in the tomb20:11-18 - Mary Magdalene sees Jesus20:19-31 - Jesus appears to other disciplesChapter 21 - A Variation on Jesus’ Commission to His Disciples21:1-14 - Daily business and divine business21:15-25 - Jesus gives a commission to Peter, and to usIndex

Rather than follow the standard form of Bible commentaries, which often don’t reproduce the passages under consideration, Father McCarren presents each of the four Gospels piece by piece, accompanied by his helpful explanations to the texts. With a Simple Guide to the Gospels, readers will be able to make their way through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in order, along with the author’s insights on every page. Reading these books is like studying the Gospels with a learned, literate, and lively guide who will help you better understand the most important books ever written.