Fifteen years ago I read the Old Testament (King James Version) and blogged it as I went. I always meant to keep on trucking, but, well, I didn’t.
Now, in January and February of 2026 I am going to read all 27 books of the New Testament (I have a passing familiarity with the Gospels, thanks to secondary school, and I did read the Book of Revelations at some point (fever dream, innit?)
The plan is to read at most ten pages a day, with rest days more frequent than old “1-in-7” for the Gospels through Romans, but then, because it all gets somewhat shorter, one a day for most of February.
Crucially, am blogging as I go.
Oh, and I am going to read Gore Vidal’s 1992 “Live from Golgotha” as soon as I am done with John…
Summary:
Some miracles, some verbal jousting and near misses with getting stoned (and not in a good way). Rocks up in Jerusalem, knowing there is trouble ahead. Oh, and God himself is Noises Off…(John 12:28-9)
Historical – when written, by whom
The Gospel of John[a] is the fourth of the New Testament‘s four canonical Gospels. It contains a schematic account of the ministry of Jesus, with seven “signs” culminating in the raising of Lazarus (foreshadowing the resurrection of Jesus) and seven “I am” discourses culminating in Thomas‘s proclamation of the risen Jesus as “my Lord and my God”.[4] The penultimate chapter’s concluding verse set out its purpose, “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.”[5][6]
John was written between AD 90–100.[7][8] The gospel is anonymous, although it identifies a “disciple whom Jesus loved” as the source of its traditions and perhaps author.[9][10][11] Twentieth-century scholarship interpreted the gospel within the paradigm of a “Johannine community“,[12][13][14] but this has been increasingly challenged in the 21st century,[15] and there is currently considerable debate over the gospel’s historical context.[16] As it is closely related in style and content to the Johannine epistles, most scholars treat the four books, along with the Book of Revelation, as a single corpus of Johannine literature, albeit not by the same author.[17]
Most poetic bits
Idk –
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Hope he’s got the cash for a Bedroom Tax then…
Most quotable bits
xxx
Most “wtaf” bit(s)
Huge chunks. Esp Chapter 14.
What it reminds me of (books/plays/jokes etc)
Gotta re-watch Life of Brian
Further reading
Xx
Chapter 8
Adulterous woman caught “in the very act”
This one is not in the other gospels
That joke about “mom, I hate it when you do that.”
John 8: 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
No. No it really won’t.
John 8: 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8: 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Cloak of invisibility?
John 8: 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Chapter 9
Blind guy – chance to show off? Cures blindness on Sabbath. Parents (wisely!) dodge answering
John 9: 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him
“Are you deaf?”
John 9: 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Chapter 10
Getting the staff- who has skin in the game?
John 10:11-2 11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Again dodges a stoning.
John 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
Chapter 11
Lazarus is brother of the expensive ointment/hair lady from other Gospels
“Hey, Jesus, you sure that’s such a good idea?”
John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
I know how he feels
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
Lazarus on the nose
John 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
It’s a Job to keep a lid on the locals
John 11:48
If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Chapter 12
John 12: 3
Word – Spikenard Spikenard was an expensive perfume mentioned in the Song of Solomon (1:12; 4:13–14) and in the gospels’ accounts of women anointing Jesus (Mark 14:3; John 12:3). The word spikenard is found in the King James Version; other translations simply say “pure nard.”
What is spikenard in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org
Spikenard refers to a highly prized aromatic perfume derived from the plant Nardostachys jatamansi (commonly called “nard”). The word “spikenard” in English stems from the Latin “spica nardi,” indicating the spiked shape of the plant from which the oil is extracted. In Greek texts, including portions of the New Testament, the term “nardos” appears. This potent fragrance was famously expensive in ancient times due to the great distances required to transport it-from regions in or near the Himalayan mountains, into the areas of biblical lands.
What does spikenard refer to in the Bible?
Criticism of the woman is now on Judas
The Big Fella speaks up.
John 12:28-9 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
Chapter 13
John 13:4 he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Feet washing – not in the other accounts, iirc.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
Compare Richard Blaine –
“But I’ve got a job to do, too. Where I’m going, you can’t follow. What I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of. Ilsa, I’m no good at being noble…”
Chapter 14
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
LOTS of WOO-WOO.
marchudson.net 
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