Up to Date (Gospel of John)
Catching Up on the Latest Biblical Commentaries (2019-2024)
This is a series called “Up to Date,” where I do a sweeping survey of the latest and greatest biblical commentaries. In 2020, I published a little book called The New Testament Commentary Guide: A Brief Handbook for Students and Pastors (Lexham Press, 2020). I’m proud of my “little orange book,” but a resource like this gets outdated. If you are looking for commentary classics and “best picks” I suggest picking up my book. In this Substack series though, I will be looking at what has been published in the last five years (2019-2024).
Important Recent Gospel of John Commentaries (2019-2024)
**Click images to purchase or learn more
WISDOM COMMENTARY (Mary Coloe)
The “Wisdom Commentary” series published a two-volume set on the Gospel of John by renowned Johannine expert Mary L. Coloe. Coloe especially develops a connection between the incarnate Jesus and the Jewish tradition of personified “Lady” wisdom (sophia).
THROUGH OT EYES (Karen Jobes)
I have recommended this series before, it is a readable and useful niche commentary that focuses on the OT background of each NT book. Jobes not only engages with the many quotations from the OT in John, but the key symbols and allusions as well. This is a must-have for pastors.
A THEOLOGICAL COMMENTARY (David F. Ford)
This ~500pp commentary is written by an acclaimed theologian, offering his take on the theological and spiritual dynamics of the Fourth Gospel. It was endorsed by the likes of Iain Torrance, Frances Young, Andrew Lincoln, Susan Hylen, Justin Welby, Amy Plantinga Pauw, Miroslav Volf, and Norman Wirzba—that’s quite a remarkable group of scholars!
International Critical Commentary—Coming 2025
Here’s a taste for something coming in 2025—Martinus C. de Boer will be publishing a multi-volume technical commentary on John, beginning with volume 1: John 1-6 (Jan 9, 2025). Those of you who know de Boer’s work will expect fresh interpretation. According to the book description, de Boer will be building on the work of Raymond Brown as well as Lou Martyn. It looks like de Boer has some surprise twists planned, here is a teaser: “Examination of the historical realities of this community is a hallmark of this commentary including the notion that, as members of the community, women may have played a role in the Gospel's composition.” Looking forward to this one!
I just got Jobes’ commentary, agree it is a must-have. Although, I suspect there is a Murphy’s law of research, that when one buys a commentary to see what a scholar says about one particular verse/question, it often goes unaddressed, which was the case for me with Jobes. Also grateful to know about the de Boer commentary, I don’t find many contemporary scholars still working with the community theories of Martyn & Brown. I agree there is internal evidence to suggest female contribution to John. Michael Pakaluk has a very interesting commentary on John using the thesis that Mary, mother of Jesus, lived with John, and so would have likely influenced his gospel. I’ve been thinking lately about how, in my experience at 2 complementarian schools, they don’t work much with John. His egalitarian/ non-hierarchical emphasis for Christian community has been the most influential challenge for my understanding of women and ministry.
Thanks, you reminded me that Jobes' book was on my list to pick up. Really appreciate you updating the commentaries collection!