John
The book of John tells the story of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. It begins with Jesus as the Word, who is God, and his creation of all things, and then describes his incarnation as a human being. Jesus gathers disciples, including Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael, and performs many miracles, including turning water into wine, healing a blind man, and raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus teaches about the kingdom of God, the importance of faith, and the need for people to be born again. He also claims to be the door to salvation, the good shepherd, and the bread of life. As Jesus' popularity grows, the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders become increasingly hostile towards him, and eventually plot to kill him. Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested, and put on trial, where he is sentenced to death by crucifixion. After his death, Jesus is buried, but on the third day, he rises from the dead and appears to his disciples, giving them the Holy Spirit and instructing them to spread his teachings. The book concludes with Jesus' final appearances to his disciples, including a meal with them and instructions to Peter to feed his sheep.
Chapter 1
The Word, who is God, was with God in the beginning and created all things, giving life and light to men. The Word became flesh and dwelt among humans, but was not recognized by the world. John the Baptist testified that Jesus was the true Light, and Jesus began gathering disciples, including Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael, who recognized him as the Son of God and the King of Israel.
Chapter 2
Jesus attended a wedding in Cana with his mother and disciples, where he turned water into wine after his mother asked for his help. This was the first miracle Jesus performed, and it led to his disciples believing in him. Jesus then went to Jerusalem for the Passover, where he drove out merchants and money changers from the temple, citing that it was his Father's house and should not be used for commerce. When the Jews asked for a sign to justify his actions, Jesus said he would raise the temple in three days, referring to his own resurrection.
Chapter 3
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, visited Jesus at night and acknowledged Jesus as a teacher from God due to his miracles. Jesus told Nicodemus that a person must be born again, or born of the Spirit, to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus explained that being born of the Spirit is like the wind, which cannot be seen or understood, but its effects can be felt. Jesus also stated that he, the Son of man, must be lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness, so that those who believe in him can have eternal life.
Chapter 4
Jesus left Judea and traveled to Galilee, stopping in Samaria where he met a woman at a well and offered her "living water" that would give her eternal life. The woman, who had had five husbands, recognized Jesus as a prophet and asked about the proper place to worship God. Jesus told her that true worship would be in spirit and truth, and revealed himself as the Messiah. The woman returned to her city and told others about Jesus, and many Samaritans believed in him. Jesus then healed the son of a nobleman in Capernaum, who believed in Jesus' word and was healed without Jesus physically being present.
Chapter 5
Jesus healed a man who had been ill for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, which led to the Jews persecuting him for breaking the Sabbath. Jesus defended his actions, stating that he was doing the work of his Father, and that the Father had given him the authority to judge and give life. Jesus also stated that he was not seeking his own will, but the will of the Father, and that the Father and his works bore witness to his identity. Jesus then criticized the Jews for not believing in him, despite their claims to follow the scriptures, which he said testified to his identity.
Chapter 6
Jesus fed a large crowd of people with five barley loaves and two small fishes, and after they were filled, twelve baskets of fragments were gathered. The crowd sought to make Jesus a king, but he departed to a mountain alone. Jesus later walked on the sea to join his disciples in a ship, and they willingly received him. The next day, the crowd found Jesus in Capernaum and asked him how he got there, and Jesus told them they sought him because they ate the loaves and were filled, but they should labor for the meat that endures to everlasting life. Jesus declared himself the bread of life, and many of his disciples found this teaching hard to accept and stopped following him.
Chapter 7
Jesus' brothers urged him to go to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, but he initially declined, saying his time had not yet come. He later went secretly and taught in the temple, where he was met with mixed reactions, some believing in him and others seeking to kill him. Jesus defended his actions, pointing out the hypocrisy of the Jews who circumcised on the Sabbath but were angry at him for healing on the Sabbath. He also claimed to be sent by God and that those who sought to kill him did not know God. The Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to take Jesus, but they were unsuccessful, and many people believed in him.
Chapter 8
Jesus teaches in the temple, and the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery, asking Jesus to condemn her according to the law. Jesus instead writes on the ground and says that the one without sin should cast the first stone, causing her accusers to leave. Jesus then tells the woman to go and sin no more. He also claims to be the light of the world and that those who follow him will not walk in darkness. The Pharisees question Jesus' authority, and he responds that he is from God and that those who believe in him will know the truth and be set free. Jesus also tells the Jews that they are not children of Abraham, but rather of the devil, and that they do not know God. The Jews become angry and try to stone Jesus, but he escapes.
Chapter 9
Jesus healed a man born blind by applying clay to his eyes and instructing him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man's neighbors and the Pharisees questioned him about the healing, and he testified that Jesus was the one who healed him. The Pharisees were divided over whether Jesus was from God, with some believing he was a sinner for breaking the Sabbath. The man's parents confirmed his blindness and healing, but refused to answer further questions due to fear of being put out of the synagogue. The Pharisees eventually cast the healed man out, and Jesus found him and revealed himself as the Son of God, leading the man to worship him.
Chapter 10
Jesus teaches that He is the door to salvation and the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, while false leaders are thieves and robbers. He claims to be one with the Father, which the Jews interpret as blasphemy, and they attempt to stone Him. Jesus escapes and many people believe in Him after hearing about His teachings and miracles.
Chapter 11
Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, fell ill, and his sisters sent word to Jesus, who was two days away. Jesus delayed going to Lazarus, and by the time he arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus met with Martha and Mary, and after expressing his condolences, he went to the tomb and raised Lazarus from the dead. Many Jews who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus, but others reported it to the Pharisees, who began plotting to kill him.
Chapter 12
Jesus attended a supper in Bethany where Mary anointed his feet with expensive ointment, prompting Judas to object, but Jesus defended Mary's actions. Many people came to see Jesus and Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, and the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the crowd welcomed him with palm branches, but the Pharisees were concerned about his growing popularity. Jesus spoke to some Greeks who wanted to meet him, saying that his time of glorification had come, and that he would be lifted up to draw all people to himself. He also spoke about the judgment of the world and the prince of darkness being cast out. Despite performing many miracles, the people did not believe in him, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.
Chapter 13
Jesus knew his time on earth was coming to an end and he loved his disciples until the end, so he washed their feet as an example of humility and service. He told them that they should do the same for one another, and that the servant is not greater than the lord. Jesus then revealed that one of his disciples would betray him, and after giving Judas a sop, Satan entered into him and Judas left to carry out the betrayal. After Judas' departure, Jesus told his disciples that he would be glorified and that they would seek him but could not follow him now, but would later. He gave them a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them.
Chapter 14
Jesus comforts his disciples, telling them not to be troubled and that he will prepare a place for them in his Father's house. He claims to be the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father except through him. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to teach and guide them after he is gone. He also promises that those who believe in him will do greater works than he has done, and that he will give them peace that the world cannot give.
Chapter 15
Jesus describes himself as the true vine and his Father as the husbandman, stating that those who abide in him will bear much fruit, while those who do not will be cast away. He commands his disciples to love one another as he has loved them, and notes that the world will hate them because they are not of the world. Jesus also promises to send the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who will testify of him and empower his disciples to bear witness.
Chapter 16
Jesus warns his disciples that they will be persecuted and put out of the synagogues, but he has told them this so they will remember his words when it happens. He explains that it is necessary for him to leave so the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, can come and guide them into all truth. Jesus also tells his disciples that they will weep and lament, but their sorrow will be turned into joy when they see him again. He promises that the Father will give them whatever they ask in his name, and that he has overcome the world, so they can have peace in the midst of tribulation.
Chapter 17
Jesus prays to the Father, asking to be glorified so that he can glorify the Father, and that those the Father has given him may know the Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus asks the Father to keep and protect those he has given him, that they may be one as Jesus and the Father are one. He also prays for those who will believe in him through the word of his disciples, that they may be one and that the world may know that the Father sent Jesus. Jesus asks that those the Father has given him may be with him in heaven, where they can behold his glory.
Chapter 18
Jesus and his disciples went to a garden where Judas, who had been given a band of men by the chief priests and Pharisees, betrayed Jesus. Jesus identified himself to the group, and they fell to the ground, but then took him into custody after he allowed them to do so. Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, but Jesus told him to put the sword away. Jesus was then taken to Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest Caiaphas, and then to Caiaphas, who had previously advised the Jews that it would be expedient for one man to die for the people. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times while Jesus was being questioned by the high priest. Jesus was then taken to Pilate, who questioned him about being the King of the Jews, and Jesus explained that his kingdom was not of this world. Pilate found no fault in Jesus but offered to release him as part of a passover custom, however the crowd chose to release Barabbas, a robber, instead.
Chapter 19
Pilate had Jesus scourged and then presented him to the crowd, but they demanded his crucifixion. Pilate, still finding no fault in Jesus, eventually gave in to the crowd's demands and handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus was led away, bearing his cross, and was crucified between two other men. Pilate had a title written and placed on the cross, which read "Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews." After Jesus' death, his body was taken down and buried by Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus in a nearby garden tomb.
Chapter 20
Mary Magdalene found Jesus' tomb empty and told Peter and the other disciple, who then saw the empty tomb for themselves. Mary later encountered Jesus, but didn't recognize him until he spoke her name, and he instructed her to tell the disciples he would ascend to the Father. Jesus then appeared to the disciples, showing them his wounds and giving them the Holy Spirit, but Thomas was not present and refused to believe until he saw Jesus' wounds for himself. Eight days later, Jesus appeared to Thomas, who then believed and called Jesus his Lord and God.
Chapter 21
Jesus appeared to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, where they had gone fishing but caught nothing. Jesus instructed them to cast their net on the right side of the ship, and they caught a multitude of fish. After they came to land, Jesus had them bring some of the fish and then shared a meal with them. Jesus then asked Peter three times if he loved him, and each time Peter replied that he did, and Jesus instructed him to feed his sheep. Jesus also foretold Peter's death and told him to follow him, and then Jesus told Peter not to worry about the fate of the disciple whom Jesus loved.
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