William M. Wright Books

In this addition to the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, two well-respected New Testament scholars interpret the Gospel of John in its historical and literary setting as well as in light of the Church's doctrinal, liturgical, and spiritual tradition. They unpack the wisdom of the Fourth Gospel for the intellectual and spiritual transformation of its readers and connect the Gospel with a range of witnesses throughout the whole history of Catholicism. This volume, like each in the series, is supplemented by features designed to help readers understand the Bible more deeply and use it more effectively in teaching, preaching, evangelization, and other forms of ministry.

Focusing on John 9, this monograph employs premodern Christian exegesis to enrich New Testament studies. It critiques the two-level reading of the text as allegory, positioning it within the context of figural exegesis rather than historical reconstruction, particularly through Augustine's interpretation. By examining various premodern readings, it proposes a new understanding of John 9 as aligned with Greco-Roman rhetorical practices, revealing how the text's structure and theological themes are intertwined, particularly in presenting Jesus as the Light of the World.