Gospel of John
ASSIGNMENT 8
This assignment covers John 19-21.
1. For what likely reason did Pilate have Jesus scourged? 19:1. Bruce, p. 358.
2. Describe how the soldiers mocked Jesus. 19:1-3.
3. Explain “Behold the man!” 19:5. Bruce, p. 359 and footnote 3, p. 380.
4. Rather than asking for Jesus to be released, what did the chief priests and officers say? 19:6.
5. Were the Jews glad that the soldiers mocked Jesus as “King of the Jews?” Bruce, p. 360.
6. In what way did the Jewish leaders change their accusation? 19:7 (cf. Leviticus 24:16). Bruce, pp. 360f.
7. Why did Jesus not answer Pilate’s question? 19:9. Bruce, p. 361.
8. Comment on human and divine power (authority) as suggested by Pilate’s and Jesus’ statements in verses 10-11. See Romans 13:1-7.
9. Why did those who delivered Jesus to Pilate bear the “greater sin?” 19:11. Bruce, p. 362.
10. Despite his desire to vindicate Jesus, what did the Jews say that caused Pilate to capitulate? 19:12. Bruce, p. 363.
11. Did Jesus carry his own cross (verse 17), or was Simon of Cyrene compelled to carry his cross (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26). Bruce, p. 366.
12. Explain the terms Golgotha and Calvary. 19:17. Bruce, p. 367.
13. With whom was Jesus crucified? 19:18 (cf. Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33, 39-43).
14. What title, and in what languages, did Pilate put on the cross? Does the Evangelist see a significance in that? 19: 19-22. Bruce, p. 369.
15. Which prophecy was fulfilled as the soldiers cast lots (dice) for Jesus’ garment? 19:23-25.
16. Along with Jesus’ mother, what other women stood by the cross? 19:25. Bruce, p. 371.
17. What is suggested by Jesus committing the care of his mother to a beloved disciple? 19:26-27. Bruce, p. 371.
18. Give the meaning of “It is finished.” 19:30. Bruce, p. 374.
19. Why did the Jews want the legs of those crucified to be broken? 19:31ff. (cf. Deuteronomy 21:22f). What prophecy does the writer relate to not breaking Jesus’ legs? Bruce, p. 377.
20. According to the Evangelist, when Jesus’ side was pierced there came out blood and water. What conclusions might be drawn from that? 19:34. Bruce, pp. 375f.
21. What does the Evangelist declare about his testimony concerning the crucifixion of Jesus? 19:35.
22. Why would Pilate readily release the body of Jesus to Joseph of Arimathaea? 19:38. Bruce, p. 378.
23. What part did Nicodemus have in the burial of Jesus? 19:39f. Bruce, p. 379.
24. Where was Jesus buried, and why the urgency to bury him that day? 19:41f. Bruce, p. 379.
25. What was the “crowning emphasis” of the primitive apostolic message? Bruce, p. 383.
26. Which two cycles of resurrection appearances are found in John 20 and 21? Bruce, p. 383.
27. The Fourth Gospel only mentions Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala) coming to the tomb. How does this compare to other gospels? 20:1 (cf. Mark 16:1f.). Bruce, p. 384.
28. What act of Simon Peter demonstrates his characteristic impetuosity? 20:3-6. Bruce, p. 385.
29. Describe the linen clothes in which Jesus’ body had been buried. 20:6-7. Bruce, p. 385, and footnote 5, p. 396.
30. What caused “the other disciple” to believe? 20:8-9. Bruce, pp. 385f.
31. Did any of Jesus’ disciples believe in Jesus’ resurrection prior to his appearances? 20:9. Bruce, p. 386.
32. What importance to apostolic preaching was the account of the empty tomb? Bruce, pp. 386f.
33. Did the mere fact that the tomb was empty indicate to Mary that Jesus had risen? 20:2,13,15.
34. What convinced Mary that Jesus was alive? v. 16. Bruce, p. 389.
35. What did Jesus mean: “Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended unto the Father?” 20:17. Bruce, p. 390.
36. When did Jesus first appear to all of the apostles, with the exception of Thomas? 20:19-20.
37. What unmistakable evidence convinced the apostles that the crucified Jesus was alive? 20:20. Bruce, p. 391.
38. At this appearance what commission did Jesus give his apostles? 20:21-23.
39. Define apostle. Bruce, p. 391. (cf. footnote 18, pp. 396f.)
40. In what sense would the apostles be able to remit and retain sins? 20:23.
41. What did Thomas require to convince him of Jesus’ resurrection? 20:24f. Bruce, p. 393.
42. What statement of Thomas demonstrates he accepted the deity of Christ? 20:27f.
43. By what means would people later be led to have faith in the resurrection, and thus in the deity of Christ? 20:29. Bruce, pp. 394f.
44. From the many signs performed by Jesus, the Evangelist says he recorded a few for what purpose? 20:30f. Bruce, p. 395.
45. Although in one respect this chapter seems to read like an addition to the original work, list three points of evidence that it is genuine. Bruce, p. 398.
46. Back in Galilee, after seeing Jesus in Jerusalem (20:26-29), what did Peter propose to six other apostles, and with what results? 21:1-3.
47. When Jesus told the seven disciples to cast the net on the right side of the boat, what happened? 21:4-6.
48. On learning that it was Jesus who spoke to them from the beach, what did Peter do which again shows his impetuous nature? 21:7. Bruce, p. 400.
49. Give the meaning of a fish as a symbol for the Christian faith in the early centuries. Bruce, p. 403.
50. What is the probable significance of Jesus’ asking Peter three times if he (Peter) loved him (Jesus)? 21:15-17. Bruce, p. 404.
51. Study Bruce’s discussion of the two words for “love” (agapao and phileo) as used by Jesus in verses 15-17. What would you conclude is the basic difference in meaning, and how does it impact his message to Peter? Bruce, pp. 404f.
52. Explain Bruce’s words “Now to the evangelist’s hook there is added the pastor’s crook.” Bruce, p. 405.
53. What did Jesus predict concerning Peter’s death? 21:18f. Bruce, p. 406.
54. What did Jesus tell Peter relative to the future of “the beloved disciple” and what speculation did that raise later? 21:20-23.
55. Summarize and comment on the first and second postscripts of this Gospel. 21:24-25. Bruce, p. 410.
56. What is the real climax of the “Good News” story as presented in the Gospel of John? Bruce, p. 411.