Q. This Gospel is the only one with a purpose statement in John 20— ‘these things are written so that you might begin to believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God’. I don’t think it’s an accident that this is the Gospel usually first translated by missionaries into a new language. This is the Gospel for evangelism, not as a tract to be handed out, but as a tool for teachers and preachers bearing witness and leading people... Read more
Q. Why do you think Jesus only addresses his mother as ‘woman’, not as mother or by name in her two appearances in the Fourth Gospel—in John 2 and John 19? And why the emphasis in John 7.5 that the brothers were not followers of Jesus during the ministry, though they knew he could do signs and wonders? It appears both the Synoptics and John go out of their way to show Jesus distancing himself from his physical family... Read more
Q. It seems to me beyond dispute that while the Synoptics are from a Galilean and Galilean disciple perspective, the Fourth Gospel is largely from a more Judaean perspective, with mostly Judaean miracles (sharing only the feeding of the five thousand miracle with the other three Gospels as the only ministry miracle mentioned by all 4). Would you agree? This would help explain why the Fourth Gospel is so different, focusing on things Jesus said and did in and... Read more
Q. One of the matters you discuss several times in the book is the traditional idea that Martha represents the active Christian life, whereas Mary reflects the contemplative life. This sounds like a monastic reading of the story. Protestants would be more apt to say Martha appears to be an extrovert, and Mary more of an introvert. How is this story, along with Luke 10.38-42 important for the contemplative tradition, and why? A. That’s an interesting take on it, because... Read more
Q. It appears that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are all single. This seems odd since they are all adults. What is the best way to explain this? A. Oh, there are so many explanations about that. One of the joys of writing this book has been doing some real exploration into competing theories about different parts of the story. In this case, some say, relying on a connection to Simon the Leper (and the fact that Bethany could be possibly... Read more
Q. Why do you think it is that Jesus waited several days, until after Lazarus had been dead for a while before coming to Bethany? A. As with many parts in this narrative, there are multiple interpretations of that. First: Jesus is bringing Lazarus something greater than mere physical healing: that is, life. And so, in this interpretation, the delay is immaterial. Second, Jesus wants to make sure that people know that, as he says plainly to Thomas, “Lazarus is... Read more
Q. What has impressed you about the argument that the Beloved Disciple is Lazarus, as in fact John 11 rather plainly says? A. Well, I have you to thank for most of my understanding of that! But I think that the most compelling argument comes in John 21, when the Risen Christ appears to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee. As I’m sure readers of this blog know, the Risen Christ offers Peter the opportunity to say, “I love... Read more
Q. In the Catholic tradition, the Gospel of John often is given the most emphasis in sermons, tracts, devotional books, and other literature. What would you say is the reason for this? To be even more general, in the Catholic tradition of worship, it’s mostly about the Gospels climaxing in the Mass, whereas in the Protestant tradition, the Letters of Paul tend to get the most airtime. How do you think this affects the way worship and faith is viewed... Read more
Q. What was it that prompted you to write this particular book, after writing other more general books on prayer, or on Jesus, or on pilgrimages and various other topics? A. The story of Raising of Lazarus has always held enormous appeal for me. When I was a teenager, I watched the Franco Zeffirelli mini-series “Jesus of Nazareth” on TV. For several years, it would air around Easter and Christmas, sometimes on the major networks. And even though, of... Read more
James Martin, Come Forth. The Promise of Jesus’ Greatest Miracle, (Harper Collins, 2023), 369pp. This book is unique in various ways. It is one part historical exegesis, one part theology, one part spiritual formation, one part art history, and one part personal testimony by Father Jim. And as for the exegesis, the whole book is a careful walking through and exposition of exactly one chapter—John 11, the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. It is written in... Read more
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