ent opposition of the Jews to Jesus. He came to them and they received Him not. Then the other aspect is presented—the blessing of those who did receive Him, the impartation of son- ship and the consequent privilege of communion with the di- vine nature. From the thirteenth to the end of the seven- teenth chapter is described Christ’s revelation of Himself to His disciples in ministries of love and in confidential discourse. The darkness did not overcome the light. The apparent de- feat through death was converted into victory through resur- rection. This victory of the light is unfolded from the eigh- teenth to the end of the twentieth chapter, in the story of the betrayal, the passion, and the resurrection. The twenty-first chapter forms an Epilogue in which the divine light again shines forth in miracle, ministry, and counsel, before the final departure to the Father.
The fourth Gospel exhibits marked differences from the others both in chronological arrangement and in the selection of material. As regards the latter, it contains much that is peculiar to itself, and falls in with the Synoptists only in a few sections.
But, while independent, it is not contradictory of the Synop- tic Gospels. All the four Gospels are consciously based upon the same great facts; and the author of the fourth owns and confirms the first three. The incidents common to the fourth Gospel and all the Synoptists are, the baptism of John; the feeding of the five thousand; the triumphal entry into Jeru- salem; the last supper and the passion and resurrection. John, with Matthew and Mark, relates the walking on the sea and the anointing at Bethany.
John’s Gospel also implies acquaintance with incidents which he does not relate. Such are the circumstances of Christ’s baptism ; the position and character of Simon Peter ; Christ’s early home at Nazareth and later residence at Capernaum ; the number of the disciples; the date of the Baptist’s imprison- ment; the Ascension, etc. The same imagery appears, in the figures of the bride and the bridegroom, the harvest, the ser-