From a team of more than 50 international scholars comes the 'Word Biblical Commentary Series'.

Harvesting the important historical, textual, literary and archaeological discoveries from a generation of scholarship, the Word Biblical Commentary Series serves the needs of professional scholars and teachers, students of the Bible and of theology, working ministers and anyone who wants a theological understanding of Scripture that is grounded in the best of today's biblical scholarship.

The Gospel of John, rightly known as 'a spiritual Gospel' (Clement of Alexandria), has captivated successive generations of Christian believers and teachers, as well as called forth an almost incredible array of books and other literary contributions. But in an unusual way this Gospel has been owned and used by the church's preachers, who have recognized its great value both for evangelism and the training and nurture of their congregations.

Scholarly work on this Gospel has moved on in some remarkable ways since the first edition of this commentary. The reissuing of this volume has given the author an opportunity to add a substantial supplement to the Introduction to acquaint readers with this literature. The result is that the volume contains as a new feature a review of recent trends coupled with the author's critical and appreciative comments on the significant studies that have appeared during the past decade (1988-1998). This feature will enhance the value of the book, and readers who already have the earlier volume will be eager to see the author's judgments on the latest in North American and European scholarship.

Dr. Beasley-Murray firmly confronts the historical and theological concerns raised by the Fourth Gospel and brings an independent mind to the complex issues of faith and history. His main interest, however, lies in revealing John's presentation of Christ as truly human and fully divine, giving special emphasis to John's concentration on the passion and victory of the incarnate Word. The commentary illumines John's primary themes, the cross and the resurrection. 'As the shadow of the cross marks the entire story of Jesus, so the glory of the Resurrection event suffuses every hour of his ministry' is the author's well-chosen conclusion.

Standing in the tradition of British scholarship so notably represented by his mentor C. H. Dodd, the author has conjoined the best insights of Rudolf Bultmann (the English translation of whose opus he supervised) and teaching experience in a North American seminary. The result is a volume without current rival, not only combining scholarly thoroughness with eminent readability, but also suffused with a spiritual tone befitting its subject matter.