John Through the Centuries

This pioneering commentary embraces the full scope and themes raised in John's Gospel, offering an engaging and perceptive reading. Mark Edwards explores a diverse range of excerpts and creative responses, with particular emphasis on the treatment of the Gospel in English poetry. Explores the diverse themes and issues raised in John’s Gospel, and considers its influence on figures from Saint Augustine, to Dorothy Sayers and Bob Dylan. Treats well-known interpreters such as Thomas Aquinas along with lesser-known figures such as the Gnostic Heracleon, and the sixth-century hymn-writer, Romanos. Brings ancient and modern commentators into dialogue with each other, and takes a critical stance towards some parallels drawn by modern scholars between the Gospel and the surrounding pagan culture. Features excerpts from a wide variety of poets who give a creative interpretation of John’s Gospel, and considers many artistic representations. Suggests that imaginative response can illuminate a reading of the Bible where purely critical and historical analysis has proved unsatisfactory. An accessible introduction and extensive section notes address interpretations of the Gospel from antiquity to the present. Published as part of the ground-breaking Blackwell Bible Commentaries series. More information about this series is available from the Blackwell Bible Commentaries website at