The Epilogue of John’s Gospel

Series: The Gospel of John Year-Long Series

Apologetics

The Epilogue of John’s Gospel

Series: The Gospel of John Year-Long Series

Apologetics

The Epilogue of John’s Gospel

Some scholars have argued that chapter 20 is the real ending of John’s Gospel and that chapter 21 is a later addition. But is there any evidence for this claim? On this program, the hosts will make the argument that John’s Gospel has both a prologue and an epilogue, and will also discuss some clues that appear in this final chapter that may point to the identity of the beloved disciple. That’s the focus of this edition of the White Horse Inn.


SHOW QUOTE

When Peter made his denial, there’s a little phrase there in one of the gospels. It said, “So said all the disciples.” All of them had failed Jesus terribly. And here, the overarching great encouragement of this passage is Jesus simply saying to them, “My purpose has not changed for you. This is my purpose and you will fulfill what I’m sending you out to do.”

Chris Gordon

He’s not inhibited by our weakness. We are jars of clay that hold the great treasure and the great treasure is not going to be hidden by our weakness and our frailty. If anything, it makes the greatness of the treasure all the more great.

Patrick Crandall

TERM TO LEARN

“Affirmations of Inerrancy”

WE AFFIRM that Scripture, having been given by divine inspiration, is infallible, so that, far from misleading us, it is true and reliable in all the matters it addresses.

WE DENY that it is possible for the Bible to be at the same time infallible and errant in its assertions. Infallibility and inerrancy may be distinguished, but not separated.

WE AFFIRM that Scripture in its entirety is inerrant, being free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit.

WE AFFIRM the propriety of using inerrancy as a theological term with reference to the complete truthfulness of Scripture.

(Taken from Articles 11-13, Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, 1978 A.D.)

Sola Newspaper

Today's Offer

Sola Newspaper

A quarterly print publication featuring articles on theology, the confessions, & reflections for the Christian life, delivered straight to your mailbox. For free.

Subscribe Now

Bob Hiller is the Senior Pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido/San Marcos, California. He is the author of Finding Christ in the Straw and the content editor for The Craft of Preaching (1517).

Shane Rosenthal is executive producer of The White Horse Inn national radio broadcast which can be heard online at whitehorseinn.org.

Series • 52 Episodes

The Gospel of John Year-Long Series

Explore All
White Horse Inn

A Sneak Peek at our New Series on the Gospel of John

On this program, Michael Horton talks with producer Shane Rosenthal about the plans they have in store for the coming year. In particular, they’ll introduce the new year-long series that they are planning for 2019 on The Gospel of John. This new series will focus on reading this gospel in its original first century Jewish […]

White Horse Inn

Eyewitness Testimony in the Gospel of John

If you pay close attention to the details of the fourth Gospel, you’ll notice that words such as testimony, witness, judgment, and truth appear quite frequently throughout this text. And this has led various scholars to conclude that the basic underlying structure of this Gospel is actually that of trial narrative. Though Jesus was rejected […]

White Horse Inn

Richard Bauckham on the Reliability of John

Scholars frequently claim that John is the latest and most idealized of all the Gospels. Its picture of Jesus, they say, represents the beliefs of late first century Christians, rather than actual historical events. But is this view consistent with the evidence? What if it could be demonstrated that the author of this text was […]

White Horse Inn

In the Beginning Was the Word

Why does the Gospel of John begin with this strange concept of the Word of God who was “with God” and yet somehow also “was God”? Some have tried to argue that the author of this text attempted to borrow concepts from Greek philosophy in order to appeal to his largely Gentile readers. Others push […]

White Horse Inn

The Jewishness of John’s Gospel

There was a time in which Judaism & Christianity had many more beliefs in common. As it turns out, many ancient Jews before the time of Christ actually expected the coming of a divine messiah who would appear in bodily form in order to atone for sin and accomplish redemption. In fact, some Jews even […]

White Horse Inn

The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us

On this edition of the program we’re continuing our discussion of John’s opening prologue and will unpack the significance of verse 14, as the Word becomes flesh and “pitches his tent” among us. Just as God’s glory resided in Israel’s ancient tabernacle, so too John witnesses the glory of the incarnate Word who dwells in […]

White Horse Inn

The Lamb of God

If the Gospel of John is seen as a kind of “trial narrative,” then John the Baptist is the first witness who is called to testify on Christ’s behalf. And John’s declaration is perhaps a little different from what many today might expect. For example, he doesn’t point to Jesus saying, “Behold your best friend […]

White Horse Inn

Climbing Jacob’s Ladder?

If you ask people today what they think the Bible is about, you’ll probably be told that it’s a collection of morality tales that encourages people to behave. Even many of those raised in Christian homes tend to think of Scripture primarily as a helpful guide that tries to steer us in the right direction. […]

White Horse Inn

Water into Wine

On this episode in our series on the Gospel of John, we find ourselves at the wedding of Cana as Jesus turns water into wine. Though some have attempted to argue that Jesus actually turned water into grape juice, the implications of this passage are unmistakably clear. So what is the point being made here […]

White Horse Inn

An Interview with D.A. Carson

Was the Fourth Gospel written by John the Apostle, or a mysterious figure known as John the Elder? And was this text penned before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., or some time later? Is there a conservative trend in the world of New Testament scholarship? On this edition of the program, Shane Rosenthal […]

Help more people know what they believe and why.

Support trusted articles, podcasts, and resources that deepen faith, point people to Christ, and strengthen the church.

Give Monthly