John

21 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1The preface of the Evangelist, commending Christ (as being God the Son incarnate) to the Gentiles, and setting out the blindness of the Jews in not receiving him. 19 Then, the testimonies of John Baptist, first to the solemn legacy of the Jews: 29 secondly, when he saw JESUS come to him: 35 thirdly, to his own Disciples also, putting them over from himself to JESUS. Who made it plainer to them that he is Christ, 40 and so began he also to have Disciples.
2. 2At the request of his mother he worketh his first miracle, turning water into wine at a marriage in Galilee, although the time of his manifestation be not yet come. 1 Then in Jerusalem at Pasch, being but one, and yet obscure, he throweth out of the Temple most miraculously all the merchants. 28 And being yet of the blind Jews asked a sign, he signifieth so long before, that they should kill him, but he will rise again the third day. 2 Which also presently they would do, but that he knowing their falses hearts (though many believe in him) will not t ri among them.
3. 3He teacheth Nicodemus, that to come to the kingdom of God, Baptism is necessary, as being our Regeneration. 10 Which point Nicodemus as then not understanding, 11 he sheweth that they must believe him, and what good cause there is for them so to do. 3. After this he also baptizeth, and John likewise at the same time. 25 Whereupon a question being moved. Whether Baptism is better, 25 John answereth it by saying, that he is so far inferior to Christ, as a mere man to God most high.
4. 4Leaving Jewry because of the Pharisees, in the way to Galilee he talketh with a Samaritan woman, telling her that he will give water of everlasting life, 16 shewing himself to know mens secrets, 19 preferring the Jews religion before the Samaritans, but ours (the Christian Catholic religion) before them both, 25 and uttering unto her that he is Christ. 28 which by her testimony and his preaching very many Samaritans do believe: he in the mean time fore telling his Disciples, of the harvest he will send them in to. 45 The Galilaeans also receive him, where again he worketh his second miracle.
5. 5Curing a beded man at the pond of miracle, because he doth it on the Sabbath, the blind Jews do persecute him, 7 and again because he saith that God is his natural father. 19 He thereupon continueth saying, the Fathers operation and his to be in every thing alone, and that he shall do greater things then these miraculous cures, to wit, 21 quicken the dead in soul by sin, as being appointed Judge of all, 21 yea and quicken the dead in bodies also, incontinent judging all uprightly. 31 And that these are not brags of his own, but his witnesses to be, 33 John Baptist, 36 his own miraculous works, 37 his fathers voice at his baptism, 39 the Scriptures also, namely of Moyses.
6. 6Having with five loaves fed five thousand 16 (walking also the night after upon the sea) 22 on the morrow the people there upon resorting unto him, 27 he preacheth unto them of the Bread which he will give: telling them that he is come from heaven, and therefore able to give such bread as can quicken the word, even his own flesh: and that all his Elect shall believe as much. 60 Many not with standing do murmur at this doctrine, yea and become apostates, though he tell them that they shall see by his Ascension into heaven, that he is descended from heaven, but the Twelve stick unto him, believing that he is God omnipotent, as he said. Among whom also (that no man be scandalized) he signifieth that he foreknoweth which will become a traitor: as among the foresaid, which would become apostates.
7. 7The Jews (of Jerusalem) seeking his death, he walketh in Galilee: where he signifieth to his brethren, that not in this feast Scenopegia, but in an other (to wit, Pasch following) the Jews should kill him: that is, not when they would, but when he will. 10 In so much that at this feast he teacheth openly in the Temple, and converteth many. 14 both in the middle day 37 and the last day thereof, without any hurt, though also the Rulers send to apprehend him.
8. 8Again in the Temple (absolving an advoutress after his merciful manner, and yet withal declaring against his enemies that he is not a favourer of sin, no more then Moyses) 12 he teacheth openly, and is not for all that apprehended, telling them both of his Godhead, 21 and of their reprobation, 28 of his exaltation also by their Crucifying of him. 31 exhorting the believers to persevere: 33 and shewing them that seek his death, that they are neither free, 39 nor of Abraham, 41 nor of God, 44 but of the Devil. 45 but that himself is of God, 52 and greater and ancienter then Abraham. 59 For the which they go about to stone him, but in vain.
9. 9To show that by his Baptism (being the Sacrament of illumination or faith) he will take away the blindness of the world, he giveth with strange ceremonies sight to one borne blind. 8 By which wonderful miracle (the attestation of the party himself and of his parents concurring) first the neighbours, then also the Pharisees themselves are plainly confounded. Yet so obstinate they are, that because it was the Sabbath when he wrought it. they infer that he is not of God: yea and throw out of their Synagogue the party for confessing him. 35 But our Lord receiveth him: 39 and foretelleth by this occasion, the excecation of the Jews (because of their wilful obstinacy) and illumination of the Gentiles who confess their own blindness.
10. 10He continueth his talk to the Pharisees, shewing that they and all other that will not enter in by him, are wolves: and that they which hear them, are not the true sheep. 11 But that himself is the good Pastor, and therefore to save the sheep from these wolves, he will yield his life, which otherwise no might of theirs could take from him: foretelling also his Resurrection, and vocation of the Gentiles. 22 Again an other time, he telleth these Jews openly, that they are not of his sheep, and that no might of theirs shall take from him his true sheep, because he is God, even as his Father is God. 31 Which by his miracles and by Scripture he sheweth to be no blasphemy: and they in vain seeking to stone and to apprehend him, 40 he goeth out to the place where John Baptist had given open witness of him.
11. 11He cometh once again into Jewry boldly (the time that he would be killed of them, being not yet come) and raiseth Lazarus four days buried. 47. At which miracle the blind malice of the rulers so increaseth, that in Council they conclude to make him away. howbeit the high Priest prophecieth unawares, of the salvation of the world by his death. 54 He thereupon goeth again out of the way.
12. 12The Rulers dealing as if he hid himself, 1 he cometh to Bethania, 3 Where by occasion of Judas the thief murmuring at Marie Magdalens costly devotion, he foretelleth his death. 12 From thence, though they did now intend to kill Lazarus also, he rideth openly into Jerusalem, the people (because he had raised Lazarus) confessing with their acclamations that he is Christ. 20 Where certain Gentiles desiring to see him, 22 he foretelleth the conversion of the whole world from the Devil to him, to be now instant, as the effect of his death upon the Crosse. 28 The Father also answering from heaven to his prayer made to that purpose, 37 yet after all this, the Jews continue incredulous as Isaias prophecied of them: 42 though many believed, but were ashamed to confess him. 44 Whereupon he sheweth that it is glorious before God, and salvation to themselves, to believe in him, and confess him: and damnable, to despise him.
13. 13As his last supper, to give his farewell, and that in most wonderful loving manner, 4 he washeth his Disciples feet, 6 beginning with Peter, 8 (shewing how necessary it is for us to be washed by him in Baptism. and needful also after Baptism) 12 and by this example teaching them all humility one toward an other. 21 Then he foretelleth, that (notwithstanding his exceeding love toward them) one even of them will betray him, meaning Judas, 22 as to John he secretly sheweth. After whose going out, he rejoiceth and saith that even now the hour is come, 14 commendeth unto them to love together, as a new commandment, 36 and foretelleth Peter who presumed to much of his own strength, that even this night he will deny him thrice.
14. 14They being sad, because he said that he must go from them, he comforteth them many ways, as, putting them in hope to follow him unto the same place, so that they keep his commandments. Where he telleth them, that himself is the way thither according to his Humanity, and also the end according to his Divinity, no less then his Father, because he is consubstantial, 15 promising also to send unto them (that is, to his Church) the Holy Ghost to be after his departure with them for ever. 28 And saying that it is his promotion (according to his Humanity) to go to the Father, for, whose obedience this his death shalbe, & not for any guilt of his own.
15. 15He exhorteth them to abide in him (that is, his Church, being the true vine, and not the Synagogue of the Jews any more) 9 and in his love, loving one an other, and keeping his commandments: 13 shewing how much he accounteth of them, by this that he dieth for them, 15 and revealeth unto them the secrets of heaven, 17 and appointeth their fruit to be perpetual: 18 confirming them also against the persecutions and hatred of the obstinate Jews.
16. 16The cause why be foretelleth them their persecution by the Jews, is, that they be not afterward scandalized thereat. 4 Though they think this heavy news, it is for their vantage that he departeth, because of the great benefits that they shall receive by the coming them of the Holy Ghost, who shall also be his witness against his enemies. 16 Although in this world they shall so be persecuted, yet to his heavenly Father they and their prayers made in his name, shall be most acceptable, and at length the child (that is, Christ in all his members) being borne, their joy shall be such as no persecutor can take from them. 31 Howbeit at this instant of his apprehension, they will all forsake him.
17. 17After his Sermon of farewell, he prayeth to his Father, that seeing he hath now finished his work, he will give him his appointed glory, for the conversion of all nations, 6 and preserve his Apostles, and his Church after them in unity and verity (that is, from Schism and Heresy:) 24 finally also glorify them with him in heaven.
18. 18Being gone to the place that Judas the Traitor did know, 4 he offereth himself to the hand of his enemies, showeth his Divine might in overthrowing them all with a word, and in saving his Apostles from them also with a word: 10 rebuketh Peter that would defend him from them: 12 and so being apprehended, is brought bound to Annas and Caiphas, where he is striken by a servant, and thrice denied of Peter. 28 Again in the morning he is by them brought to Pilate. 29 Who demanding their accusation, whereas they would oppress him with their authority, 33 and examining the point of his kingdom, pronounceth him innocent: yet they cry rather to have a thieves life saved.
19. 19The Jews are not satisfied with his scourging and irrision. 8 Pilate hearing them say that he made himself the Son of God, is more afraid. 12 Yet, they urging him with his loyalty toward Caesar, and professing that themselves will no king but Caesar, he yeldeth unto them. 17 And so Christ carrying his own Crosse, is crucified between two thieves, 19 Pilate writing notoriously the only cause of his death to be, for that he is their king or Christ. 23 His garments be so used, even as the Scriptures foretold. 25 He hath special care of his mother to the end. 28 He signifieth all that was written of his Passion, to be fulfilled, and so yeldeth up his ghost. 31 Then by the Jews means also other Scriptures about his legs and side, are fulfilled. 38 And finally, he is honorably buried.
20. 20Upon Easter day his body is missed in the Sepulcher, first by M. Magdalene, 3 secondly by Peter also and John, the winding clothes yet remaining. 11 Then to M. Magdalene, after she had seen two Angels, JESUS also himself appeareth. 18 She having told to the Disciples, he appeareth to them also the same day, and sendeth them as himself was sent, giving them the Holy Ghost to remit and to retain sins. 26 Again upon low Sunday he appeareth to them, letting Thomas see, that he might believe, and commending such as not seeing yet do believe. 30 The effect of this book.
21. 21Appearing again in Galilee, where Peter was fishing with his fellows: and causing them after they had all night taken none, to catch a great multitude, which Peter draweth to land, where he also dineth them: 15 He (expressing what this fishing signified) maketh Peter his Vicar, committing unto him the feeding of his lambs and sheep: 18 and revealeth unto him, that he also shall be crucified, to the glory of God, 20 admonishing him to mind that, rather then to be curious about John's death.