Study Notes for John's Gospel, Part Five: The Witness of John the Forerunner

John’s Gospel, Part Five
The Witness of John the Forerunner
John 1:6-9, 19-34; 3:22-36; 5:35


I. Jesus and John - Light and Witness: John 1:6-9
A. Forerunner and Fulfillment
B. Joined at Birth and in Ministry (Parallel and Overlapping)
* The triad of Jesus, Mary, and John form the prophetic community that bridges the horizons between old and new covenants.

II. John’s Ministry as Prophet: John 1:19-34
A. The Prophetic Sign of John’s Baptism for Israel
* Meaning and Location
* The Baptism of Jesus - cleansing the world and new creation
B. Prophetic Identity and Nazarene Identity
* Possible Qumron connection
1. I am NOT
a. Messiah
b. Elijah
c. The Prophet
* 1 Kings 17; Deuteronomy 18:15ff
2. I am the VOICE
* Isaiah 40:3
* Like Elijah, saying that this time was the same as the days of Apostasy in Israel and Judah; unlike Elijah in that he came without miraculous signs
- Greatest man ever to live - Matthew 11:7-11; Luke 7:24-28

III. John’s Testimony Concerning Jesus the Light
A. Lamb of God - John 1:29
* Leviticus 16; Isaiah 53
B. Baptizer with the Holy Spirit - note Acts 1-2
* Dual meaning for Israel and the Disciples
C. Bridegroom of Israel - 3:22-36
* Mark 2:19-20; Hosea 2:16-23
* The Nazarite ‘best man’ stands beside the wine-drinking Groom as he ushers in the new world and the new covenant.
* Final words: “He must increase and I must decrease...”
- and thus it happens in the Gospel as Israel is gathered to her Messiah, the Bride to the Bridegroom, John fading from view, eventually receiving the martyr’s crown.