² sn This is the “doubting Thomas” mentioned in John 20:24-29.

³ tn Grk “he”; the referent (John the Baptist) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² sn The language of this verse is applied to Judas Iscariot in John 13:18.

² sn The author’s self-designation, the elder, is in keeping with the reticence of the author of the Gospel of John to identify himself. This is the same self-designation used by the author of 2 John.

² sn The author’s self-designation, the elder, is in keeping with the reticence of the author of the Gospel of John to identify himself. This is the same self-designation used by the author of 3 John.

³ sn References to the fact that Jesus laid down his life using the verb τίθημι (tithēmi) are unique to the Gospel of John (10:11, 15, 17, 18; 13:37, 38; 15:13) and 1 John (only here). From John’s perspective Jesus’ act in giving up his life sacrificially was a voluntary one; Jesus was always completely in control of the situation surrounding his arrest, trials, and crucifixion (see John 10:18). There is a parallel with 1 John 2:6—there, as here, the life of Jesus (during his earthly ministry) becomes the example for believers to follow. This in turn underscores the importance of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry (especially his sacrificial death on the cross), a point of contention between the author and his opponents in 1 John. See 1 John 4:10 for a further parallel.

⁶ sn Returned to Jerusalem. John Mark had originally accompanied them from Jerusalem (see Acts 12:25). John Mark’s decision to leave became an issue later for Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:36-39).

¹ tn Grk “And they asked him, and said to him”; the referent (John) has been specified in the translation for clarity, and the phrase has been simplified in the translation to “So they asked John.”

⁵ tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “So” to indicate that in the narrative this question happened as a result of the fasting of John’s disciples and the Pharisees.

¹ sn How John the Baptist is more than a prophet is explained in the following verse: John is the forerunner of the Messiah, who goes before him and prepares his way.

² sn John 19:28-30 appears to understand Jesus’ experience on the cross as a fulfillment of this passage (or Ps 22:15). See the study note on the word “thirsty” in John 19:28.

² sn They did not love their lives. See Matt 16:25; Luke 17:33; John 12:25.

² tn Grk “walking in (the) truth” (see the note on the phrase “living according to the truth” in 3 John 3).

² tn The ἵνα (hina) clause indicates result, parallel to John 13:34 where the final ἵνα clause also indicates result.

³ tn See the note on the word “message” in 1 John 1:5, where this same phrase occurs.

¹ tn Grk “know him.” See the note on the phrase “know God” in 1 John 2:3 for explanation.

³ sn Pillars is figurative here for those like James, Peter, and John who were leaders in the Jerusalem church.

⁵ tn This included both food and drink (γεύομαι [geuomai] is used of water turned to wine in John 2:9).

² sn John Mark becomes a key figure in Acts 12:25; 13:5, 13; 15:37-39.

⁴ sn We are witnesses. Note the two witnesses here, Peter and John (Acts 5:32; Heb 2:3-4).