Bible Studies & Catechesis

“Therefore, whoever desires to be saved must think thus about the Trinity.” Athanasian Creed This is the first long, uninterrupted monologue of Jesus in the Gospel. It is an eschatalogical (end-times) discourse, evidenced by the terminology, “to raise the dead,” “to make alive,” “to do judgment,” “to pass from death to life,” “eternal life,” “the resurrection of life,” “the resurrection of judgment,” and “the Son of Man.” Jesus presents himself as the Son of God in whom and through whom the F…

Introduction to Chapters 5 & 6 — The healing of the Nobleman’s son (4:46-54) follows with the healing of the paralytic at the Sheep Gate (5:1-9) and conflict with the Jews concerning the Sabbath (5:10-47). Chapter 6 begins with Jesus at the Sea of Galilee and chapter 7 with Jesus returning to Galilee.

Introduction to Chapters 5 & 6 — The healing of the Nobleman’s son (4:46-54) follows with the healing of the paralytic at the Sheep Gate (5:1-9) and conflict with the Jews concerning the Sabbath (5:10-47). Chapter 6 begins with Jesus at the Sea of Galilee and chapter 7 with Jesus returning to Galilee.

Almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy Son hast promised us the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and everlasting life: We beseech Thee, do Thou by Thy Holy Spirit so quicken our hearts that we in daily prayer may seek our help in Christ against all temptations, and, constantly believing His promise, obtain that for which we pray, and at last be saved, through Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. (Veit Dietrich, Colle…

See a man” – The disciples are amazed that Jesus is speaking with the woman, not simply due to gender but that she is a Samaritan. John gives the sort of questions that they should be asking.

4:16 “Go, call your husband and come here” -The connection to 4:15 is the word “here.” In 4:15 this refers to Jacob’s well. In 4:16 it refers to Jesus himself!

4:1-3 “But Jesus Himself did not baptize” – The theme of the Baptism that Jesus would give, begun with the witness of John the Baptist (1:29-34), continues with the discourse with the Samaritan woman concerning “living water” (4:10-11). The Samaritan woman and the Samaritan confession (4:42) confess the universal, inclusive scope of the new “begetting” and the new, Spiritual worship it gives (4:20-24).

3:22-24 “After these things Jesus baptized” – Nowhere else in the NT or in early Christian tradition are we told that Jesus Himself baptized. The Evangelist suggests that the event of baptism was how one became either a disciple of John or Jesus (see also 4:1-2).

3:14-15 “It is necessary that the Son of Man be lifted up” – “To lift up” or “exalt” is interpreted by the Bronze serpent incident (Num 21:4-9), Jn 12:32-33, “He said this to show by what death He was to die,” and the prophecy of Isaiah 52:13. Apart from the Crucified there is no salvation or eternal life.

3:5 “Unless one is begotten from water and the Spirit” – Jesus insists upon that which will come at the fulfillment of all things (19:28-30), namely His Baptism which gives us forgiveness of sins in His death. Nicodemus could not know what Jesus refers to, as the Christian rite is not initiated and such a baptism cannot be known solely from the OT, even by a “teacher of Israel.” Earthly bloodline as children of Abraham won’t do, because the new Israel will encompass all, regardless of physica…