f you start at the beginning of the New Testament and read straight through, first you’ll find three similar accounts of Jesus’ life. Then you come to the gospel of John. From recounting Jesus’ signs to recording His famous I am statements, John puts a spotlight on Jesus’ redemptive work so that others will believe and be saved. In this volume, Dr. R.C. Sproul provides an introduction to John in his accessible, conversational style. Each chapter is packed with insights and exhortations to draw you closer to the life and light of the Savior. Dr. Sproul’s expositional commentaries help you understand key theological themes and apply them to all areas of your life. Drawn from decades of careful study and delivered from a pastor’s heart, these sermons are readable, practical, and thoroughly Bible-centered. Here is your opportunity to learn from a trusted teacher and theologian as he leads you through God’s Word and shares his perspective on living faithfully for God’s glory. This is a series to serve pastors, small groups, and growing Christians who want to know the Bible better. R.C. Sproul (1939-2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries in Orlando, Fla. He was also first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online.

From recounting Jesus’ signs to recording His famous I am statements, John puts a spotlight on Jesus’ redemptive work so that others will believe and be saved. In this volume, Dr. R.C. Sproul provides an introduction to John in his accessible, conversational style. Each chapter is packed with insights and exhortations to draw you closer to the life and light of the Savior.

Truly a blessing to read and study, especially when preparing expositional sermons for Lusaka Baptist Church's vernacular service. ( )

I loved this book. So refreshing, informative about the gospel of John and pastoral. I was struck by Sproul's understanding of these passages, his humility, graciousness, and his high opinion of God 's Word. After reading this, I hope to read more commentaries by Sproul. Highly recommend. Such a good book! ( )

Biblical commentaries come in many forms. Some are written with the scholar in mind. These commentaries spend extensive time on the technical aspects of the original languages, and are, for most human beings, intimidating to read. Other commentaries are written for the pastor and in such a manner as to assist him in sermon preparation and basic biblical study. Several are also written with the lay member in mind, for the purpose of giving them a broader range of understanding for personal devotional reading, or even teaching a class or Bible study.

RC Sproul’s commentary on John’s gospel bridges the gap between the pastor and the congregation. His commentary reads as though he were preaching it from his pulpit. In fact, the commentary itself is a collection of his expository preaching through the book of John at his church. So while it is insightful and helpful for pastors as they prepare to proclaim God’s Word, it is also relevant and beneficial to the man in the pew – the originally intended audience.

His illustration as he launches into John 12:35-50 is classic Sproul:

The theological question I hear most often is this: “What happens to the innocent native in Africa who has never heard the gospel?” People want to know whether such people are taken to heaven or condemned to hell when they die. I always give the same answer: “The innocent native in Africa doesn’t need to hear the gospel. Don’t worry for another minute about the innocent native in Africa who’s never heard of Christ. The innocent native in Africa, when he dies, goes straight to heaven because he is innocent.”
But let’s ask the question another way: “What happens to the guilty native in Africa who’s never heard the gospel?” I don’t worry about innocent natives in Africa or anywhere else in the world, because the Bible makes it clear there are no innocent natives anywhere. There is no one who is not guilty in God’s sight.

I have long enjoyed reading collections of sermons. Once I have labored over a text, formed a preaching outline, and consulted various commentaries and references, it has become my practice to read a selection of sermons preached on the same text. I have found that doing so often provides the reminder that whatever my theological perspective, whenever I interpret Scripture I am standing on the shoulders of those before me.

I am adding this commentary to my collection for that purpose.