large edition of the English version of the Polyglot Bible, but they have been carefully examined and verified in preparing for the press, and some modifications have been made. For the convenience of that large class of Christian workers who are limited in their means, I have endeavored to make this Commentary, as far as practicable, a complete apparatus for the study of the New Testament. When finished it will be fully furnished with maps;--there are four in this volume; a Gazetteer gives a condensed account of all the principal places in Palestine, mentioned in our Lord’s life; and an introduction traces the history of the New Testament from the days of Christ to the present, giving some account of the evidence and nature of inspiration, the growth of the canon, the character and history of the manuscripts, the English version, the nature of the Gospels and their relation to each other, a brief life of Christ, and a complete tabular harmony of the four Gospels. The want of all who use the Bible in Christian work is the same. The _wish_ is often for a demonstration that the Scripture sustains the reader’s peculiar theological tenets, but the _want_ is always for a clearer and better knowledge of Scripture teaching, whether it sanctions or overturns previous opinions. I am not conscious that this work is written in the interest of any theological or ecclesiastical system. In those cases in which the best scholars are disagreed in their interpretation, the different views and the reasons which lead me to my own conclusions have been given, I trust, in no controversial spirit. For the sole object of this work is to ascertain and make clear the meaning of the Word of God, irrespective of systems, whether ecclesiastical or doctrinal. No work is more delightful than that which throws us into fellowship with great minds; of all work the most delightful is that which brings us into association with the mind of God. This is the fellowship to which the student of the Bible aspires. I can have for those who use this work no higher hope than that they may find in its employment some of the happiness which I have found in its preparation, and that it may serve them as it has served me, as a guide to the Word of God, and through that Word to a better acquaintance with God himself. CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON, _May_, 1875. LYMAN ABBOTT. TABLE OF CONTENTS. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. PAGE INTRODUCTION 3 SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES-- ON THE INTRODUCTION TO JOHN’S GOSPEL 13 THE INCARNATION 21 THE LAMB OF GOD 24 CHRIST’S EXAMPLE IN THE USE OF WINE 32 CHRIST AS A CONVERSATIONALIST 58