Changes

The great sublimity of the Fourth Gospel stands in sharp contrast to simplicity of the Synoptics. But there were great differences in the circumstances under which the Gospels were written.

The great sublimity of the Fourth Gospel stands in sharp contrast to simplicity of the Synoptics. But there were great differences in the circumstances under which the Gospels were written.

Saint John was forced to adopt an entirely different style from that used in the Synoptics, writing for the newly-converted Jews.

Saint John was forced to adopt an entirely different style from that used in the Synoptics, writing for the newly converted Jews.

The peculiar style of John is found not only in the narrative portions of the Gospel, but also in the discourses of Jesus and in the words of the Baptist and other people. The discourses had to be transliterated from Aramaic into Greek, and in this process received from the author their distinctive style. The leading ideas alone are set forth in exact accordance with the sense and they come to reflect the style of the Evangelist. Finally, the disciple surely received from his Master many of the distinctive metaphors and expressions which imprint on the Gospel its peculiar character.

The peculiar style of John is found not only in the narrative portions of the Gospel, but also in the discourses of Jesus and in the words of the Baptist and other people. The discourses had to be transliterated from Aramaic into Greek, and in this process received from the author their distinctive style. The leading ideas alone are set forth in exact accordance with the sense and they come to reflect the style of the Evangelist. Finally, the disciple surely received from his Master many of the distinctive metaphors and expressions which imprint on the Gospel its peculiar character.