Preface

The message of John’s gospel is simple. The apostle writes with straightforward clarity and in words that make the truth accessible to every reader. That fact is critical, because this is the saving gospel, written for unbelievers. John said so:

I have tried in this commentary to keep verbiage out and say only what is directly helpful to the understanding of the text. There is little digression and no attempt to give embellishing content. This is a departure from the style of my other commentaries, where I often introduce an abundance of related theological and illustrative material. That is not to say there are not glorious themes throughout John that can and should be developed in the process of exposition, and by comparing Scripture with Scripture. But for the most part I have left that task to others this time, in favor of flow and concise adherence to the apostle John’s own stated intent. At times I felt I should write more; sometimes less. But my deliberate goal throughout has been to serve the inspired message by restraint, minimizing interruptions, and letting the Word speak without adding anything more than essential explanations, without drifting from the text itself into parallel passages—thus keeping the simplicity and clarity of the Spirit’s inspired truth uncluttered. I hope I have done that.

In this profound yet plain account of the coming of the Son of God to redeem sinners is the most needed message anyone will ever hear or understand. With just a little clarification and background, it proclaims to the mind of the willing and humble sinner the truth that transforms eternally.

JOHN MACARTHUR
February 2008