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John 1:6-28
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Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church, Binghamton, NY
in gratitude to the author of The Text This Week

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition & sermons.
  Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Philo on Word/Logos, Light and Darkness and other Allegorical Philosophical parallels. Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
  • "John's Message," "John the Baptist," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • III, 46-56; IV, 1-11; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • I.VIII.5, III.X.2, III.XI.2-4, 6, III.XVI.2, III.XIX.2, IV.XX.6, IV.XX.11, V.I.3, V.XVIII.2, 3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter II, Chapter IX, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • Chapter V, Chapter X, On Baptism,  Tertullian (c. 198)
  • Chapter I, Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • I.3, I.7, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • I.17, II.5, II.13, IV.6, V.3, V.8, V.12, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • "Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?" (sermon on Mark 10:17-31), Clement of Alexandria (c. 200)
  • Chapter VI, On Patience, Tertullian (c. 202)
  • Chapter XXXV, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XVIII, Chapter XX, Chapter XXIV, On the Flesh of Christ, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Chapter XXXVII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Chapter VIII, Chapter XII, Chapter XV, Chapter XXI, Chapter XXVI, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • Chapter V, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
  • Chapter VI, Chapter XVI, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • I.I.8, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • VII.X, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.24, I.34, I.42, II.24-30, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • V.3, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.228)
  • VI.1-38, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • IV.Summary.30, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen / Rufinus (c.230)
  • II.IX, II.LXXI, V.XII, VI.LIX, VII.XXVII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • XII.30, XIII.20, XIV.15, XIV.17, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • On the Lord's Prayer -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • III.41, Against the Heathen, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
  • VII.25, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea, (c. 320).
  • Deposition of Arius, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 321-322.
  • From Augustine's Tractates on John: 
    • Tractate II (1:6-14)
    • Tractate IV (1:19-33)
  • "The Witness and Confession of John the Baptist," John 1:19-29, Martin Luther, c. 1521.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The Jews thought that Elias would come again before the days of the Messiah, and they took as the basis of their opinion Mal 4:5, which is to be understood as referring to John, see Mt 11:14. And yet John denies that he is Elias, answering their question just as they meant it."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Far from being Christ, or even Elijah, I am nothing but a voice: a sound that so soon as it has expressed the thought of which it is the sign, dies into air, and is known no more. Isa 40:3."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Bethabara--Rather, "Bethany" (according to nearly all the best and most ancient manuscripts); not the Bethany of Lazarus, but another of the same name, and distinguished from it as lying "beyond Jordan," on the east."
  • "The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace," John 1:14,17, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1885.
    • "There is now no spot on earth where God dwells in preference to another...Yet there is a true house of, a real temple of the infinite, a living abode of the Godhead."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "There is no proof that Jewish proselyte baptism of Gentile converts existed at this period, save the assertion of the Talmud, written two or three centuries after this. Josephus, who wrote in the time of the apostles, is silent about it."
  • "Exposition of John 1:1-34," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1892.
    • "Not "I am the Word," but "I am the voice." Christ is the essential Word; we are but the voice to make that word sound across the desert of human life."
  • "Simplicity and Sublimity of Salvation," John 1:11-13, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1892.
    • "That religion which leaves out the person of Christ, has left out the essential point. Thou art not saved by believing a doctrine, though it is well for thee to believe it if it be true. Thou art not saved by practising an ordinance, though thou shouldst practise it if thou art one of those to whom it belongs. Thou art not saved by any belief except this, believing on Christ's name, and receiving him."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, John 1:6-8, 19-28, Jan Schnell Rippentrop, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
    • "Whereas in the synoptic gospels, John is portrayed as John the Baptist who precedes Jesus, in the fourth gospel, although John does baptize, “the Baptist” will never be a title you hear for ..."
  • Living by the Word, Martha Spong, The Christian Century, 2017.
  • "Bearing the Light," Jan Richardson, The Advent Door, 2017.
  • "Witnessing," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2017.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • "Proclaiming Liberty to the Captives: #Metoo," Janet H Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2017.
  • "With All My Soul," Todd Weir, 2017.
  • "Who Do You ThinkYou Are?" Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2017.
  • "Witness under Fire," D Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2017.
  • Commentary, John 1:6-8, 19-28, Mark Allan Powell, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "Our testimony about Jesus is ultimately less significant than Jesus' testimony about us."
  • Proclaiming Mark, studies for the Sundays in Advent B, Anglican Church Diocese of Perth, 2014. (.pdf download at link.)
  • David Lose, ...in the meantime, 2014.
  • Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2014.
  • Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure, 2014.
  • Proclaiming Mark, studies for the Sundays in Advent B, Anglican Church Diocese of Perth, 2014. (.pdf download at link.)
  • Michael Coffey, 2014.
  • Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2014.
  • "Advent Credo," Daniel Berrigan.
  • Andrew Prior, 2014.
  • Thomas Beam, 2014.
  • Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2014.
  • "Emmanuel," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
    • "What keeps the wild hope of Christmas alive year after year in a world notorious for dashing all hopes is the haunting dream that the child who was born that day may yet be born again even in us and our own snowbound, snowblind longing for him."
  • Commentary, John 1:6-8, 19-28, Karoline Lewis, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "If last week we met the camel hair wearing, locust and honey eating John the Baptist, this week we do a 180 degree turn and meet a whole different John."
  • Evangelio Comentario del San Juan 1:6-8, 19-28 por Luis N. Rivera-Pagán, Working Preacher, 2014.
  • "John, Jesus, and the Alpha Male," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2011.
    • "Let us, that is, form a community shaped by the Lord we follow, a place where we eagerly pick up each other's burdens and where sacrificial giving and living is the norm because we recognize that in Christ God sacrificed all for us."
  • "Faith and Fear," Thomas Long, ON Scripture, 2011.
  • John and the Levites and Priests, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
  • "It's Not About Us," John van de Laar, Sacredise, 2011.
  • "ain't highfalutin," Fr. Rick Morley, a garden path, 2011.
  • "Hidden in Plain Sight," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2011.
  • "Jesus the untouchable deal breaker," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2011.
  • "Are You the Revolutionary?" Caspar Green, Scarlet Letter Bible, 2011.
  • "Revealing the One," Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2011.
    • "John the Writer must have scandalised those folk in his community who had venerated John the Baptist, or perhaps even worshipped him as Messiah. John the Baptist was reduced to a mere road sign."
  • Comentario del Evangelio por J. Manny Santiago, San Juan 1:6-8, 19-28, Working Preacher, 2011.
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 1:6-8, 19-28, David Ewart, 2011.
    • "This Advent season is a time for us to wake up and see the light. It is time for us to do what is our work: to prepare the soil of our souls, so that the seed of God's word can take root in us and put down deep and strong roots."
  • "Delegitimizing the Witness," Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2011.
    • "Why doesn't he point out Jesus, who is standing among them?  
  • "First Thoughts on Passages from Mark in the Lectionary: Advent 3," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "In the Advent season such a reading encourages our focus on that centre, to look where John is looking (esp 1:29) and to know the one whom Jesus has made known (1:18)."
    Commentary, John 1:6-8, 19-28, Paul S. Berge, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "John the Baptist," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "Highlight the question: 'Who are you?' This is the fundamental and basic question in John?s gospel. 'Who are you, John?' In this question, the priests and Levites were also asking about the identity of Jesus.  'Who is Jesus? What is Jesus? true identity?'"
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "John down-plays the role of the Baptist even more than the synoptics. Whereas the synoptics consider John to be Elijah (Mk 9:13; Mt 11:14; 17:10-13; Lk 1:17), in the fourth gospel, he clearly states that he is not Elijah."
  • Sermon Preparation Thoughts and Questions by Wesley White, 2005.
  • "John the Baptist and the Pharisees," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
    • "The evangelist invites us to move our eyes from the immediate struggle of life to the one who is 'full of grace and truth.' When we do this, then like the Baptist our status, standing, problems, dreams, loss...... seem like nothing. The troubles of life lose their power in the presence of the one who is everything."
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
    • "There is a Jesus-like humility (itself a gift of the Spirit!) in the way JB speaks up here. A side of JB easy to overlook. But isn't it always easy to overlook humility? Rather than a downside, humility's is really God's down- sizing, to equip us to work as God works."
  • "Personal and Honest Witness," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "Do you harbor some cynicism about the practice of law? Explain."
  • Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation:
    • "The Prologue"  
    • "Chapter 1"  
  • "What Child is This? (John 1:1-8)" by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "John?s prologue provides us with insights which enhance our understanding and appreciation of the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke. These two Gospels highlight the humanity of our Lord, without denying His deity. John?s Gospel highlights the deity of Jesus Christ, without minimizing His humanity."
  • "The Witness of John (John 1:19-37)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "John?s baptism is distressing in light of the meaning and use of baptism in Judaism. These were not Gentiles who were being baptized, but Jews. These were not Gentiles who were being indicted for their sin and warned of God?s coming wrath, but Jews. John was treating Jews as though they were lost sinners, in need of salvation."
  • Paraphrase of John 1:1-18, by Jim Stamper.
  • "The Light of God in Action," George A.F. Knight. Adapted from Christ the Center (Eerdmans, 1999). At Religion On-Line. (extended discussion of God/Christ as logos)
    • "The appropriate word to be used in connection with 'the road traveled' by the authors of both Genesis and Exodus is 'grace,' for grace represents the love of God incarnate in his saving initiative. John now interpolates this word at this point (1:14) to exegete this new genesis and exodus in the coming of Christ."
  • Jordan River, Bethany beyond the Jordan, articles and photos at Walking in Their Sandals, Journey through the Land of the Bible.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Kim, Stephen S., "The Relationship of John 1:19-51 to the Book of Signs in John 2-12," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Knight, George A.F., "The Light of God in Action," The Christian Century, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • MacLeod, David J., "The Benefits of the Incarnation of the Word: John 1:15-18," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • MacLeod, David J., "The Incarnation of the Word: John 1:14," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • MacLeod, David J., "The Reaction of the World to the Word: John 1:10-13," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • MacLeod, David J., "The Witness of John the Baptist to the Word: John 1:6-9," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Madigan, Daniel A., SJ, "People of the Word: Reading John with a Muslim," Review & Expositor, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Marrow, Stanley B., "Kosmos in John," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Montgomery, Stephen R., "Beyond Fear, Fundamentalism, and Fox News: the Active Hope of Advent," Journal for Preachers, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Norris, Kathleen, "Standing on Promises," The Christian Century, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Polhill, John B., "John 1-4: The Revelation of True Life," Review & Expositor, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Reinhartz, Adele, "'And the Word Was Begotten': Divine Epigenesis in the Gospel of John," Semeia, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Theiss, Norman C., "Between Text and Sermon: John 1:6-8, 19-28," Interpretation, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ucko, Hans, "Full of Grace and Truth: Bible Study on John 1:14-18," Ecumenical Review, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Pray without Ceasing," the Rev. Dr. Edward S. Gleason, Day 1, 2005.
  • 3 Advent, AKM Adam, Flesh and Bones, 2001. (Download is one long PDF file for book of sermons.)
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
    • Advent 3, 2005
    • Advent 3, 1999
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Advent 3B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," December 14, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 andIggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 and Bedtime is Canceled by Cece Meng, John 1:6-8, 19-28 and Under Alaska's Midnight Sun by Deb Vanasse. 2011.
  • "The Light of the World," Dianne Deming, Children's Sermons Today, 2011.
  • "John the Baptist," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "The Greatest," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "John the Baptist Speaks Out," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Special Delivery," "Prepare the Way," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
• Drama:
  • "An Axe Is Laid to the Roots," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, John 1:14, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: John 1:6-28, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • John 1:14, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
  • John 1:19-28, John 1:6-28, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • John 1:6-8, 19-28, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • “When John the Baptist Preached,” an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette on John the Baptist.  This hymn was commissioned by The Presbyterian Outlook magazine for new Advent hymns to Christmas carol tunes. Tune: VENITE ADOREMUS 10.10.10.10 with Refrain (“The Snow Lay on the Ground”).
  • “Down by the Jordan,” an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette on John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism.  This hymn is in the United Methodists’ Worship and Song (2011).  Tune:  LOBE DEN HERREN 14.14.4.7.8 (“Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”).
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 1:12, 14, 23. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Baptism of Jesus
  • John the Baptist
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Incarnation
  • Baptism
  • John the Baptist
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of John

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