Glossary

the Gospel According to John

The following proper nouns name people and places mentioned in the biblical text for the Turning to God’s Word Catholic Bible study The Gospel According to John: An Encounter with Grace & Truth.

Abraham—The Old Testament patriarch whom Jews and Christians both consider to be their father in faith. Lesson 11
Aenon—A town on the Jordan River located about halfway between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee (often called the Sea of Tiberias). Lesson 4
Andrew—One of the first two disciples to abandon John in order to follow Jesus. Tradition holds that the second is John the Evangelist. Andrew is the brother of Simon, renamed Peter by Jesus. Lessons 2, 7, 15
Annas—A former high priest and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest holding office at the time of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. Lesson 21

—B—

Barabbas—The robber whom Pilate releases to the crowd in place of Jesus. The name Barabbas ironically means “son of the father.” Lesson 22
Bethany—A town north of Jerusalem on the east side of the Jordan River. Bethany was the home of Jesus’ friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Lessons 2, 14–15
Bethlehem—A town in the southern kingdom of Judah. Bethlehem was located on ancestral land belonging to the tribe of Judah, and the prophet Micah foretold that it would become the future birthplace of the Messiah. Lesson 9
Bethsaida—A town in Galilee on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (often called the Sea of Tiberias). The Fourth Gospel identifies it as the hometown of Andrew, Peter, and Philip. Lessons 2, 15
Bethzatha—The name of a pool located inside the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. Some translations spell it Bethesda. Lesson 6

—C—

Caesar—The title given to ancient rulers of Rome. Lesson 22
Caiaphas—The high priest holding office at the time of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. Lessons 14, 21–22
Cana—An inland town in Galilee approximately halfway between the Sea of Galilee (often called the Sea of Tiberias) and the Mediterranean Sea. Lessons 3, 5, 25
Capernaum—A town in Galilee on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (often called the Sea of Tiberias). Lessons 3, 5, 7–8
Cephas—A name derived from Greek meaning Rock and usually translated as Peter in the Fourth Gospel. This is the name that Jesus gives to Simon. It indicates that Jesus sees Simon (or Peter) as being rock-solid. Lesson 2
Christ—A title derived from the Greek word Christos, which corresponds to the Hebrew word for Messiah and means “Anointed One.” Saying that Jesus is the Christ (or calling him Jesus Christ) is the same as identifying Jesus as God’s Anointed. Because the former kings of Israel and Judah were anointed, people looking for the Messiah were expecting a king. In the history of the ancestors of the Jews, however, priests and prophets also were anointed. Lessons 2, 4–5, 9, 12–15, 25
Counselor—The third person of the Most Holy Trinity, also called the the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, and the Spirit of truth. In the Fourth Gospel, the Spirit is symbolized by the images of a dove and the wind.. Lessons 17–19

—D—

David—A king from the tribe of Judah. David was chosen by God to replace Saul as ruler over all of the descendants of Jacob. The name David means “beloved” or “friend.” Jews looked forward to the coming of a Messiah, a descendant of David sent by God to rule over all of the descendants of Jacob. Lesson 9
day of Preparation—The day when unblemished lambs are slaughtered in preparation for the feast of the Passover. Lessons 22–23
the disciple whom Jesus loved—A title that the author of the Gospel According to John uses when writing about the disciple John’s role in the events described in the Fourth Gospel. Lessons 16, 23, 25
Dispersion—Also sometimes called by its Greek term the Diaspora. The Dispersion or Diaspora refers to Assyria’s deportation of the descendants of Jacob who were living in the northern kingdom of Israel when it was conquered in 722–721 B.C. Those people later come to be known as the “lost tribes of Israel” because most never return to their original home territory in the land of Canaan. Lesson 9

—E—

Elijah—A prophet sent by God to the northern kingdom of Israel. Eliljah had repeated encounters with the rulers Ahab and Jezebel, whom he chastised for flaunting religious law. The name Elijah means “my God is the LORD.” Elijah frequently appears in Scripture as an iconic representation of all the prophets—often with Moses, who represents the Law. Jewish tradition held that before the coming of the Messiah, Elijah would reappear. Lesson 2
Ephraim—A town about 13 miles north of Jerusalem on the border between the former northern kingdom of Israel and southern kingdom of Judah. It takes its name from the half-tribe of Ephraim. Scripture occasionally refers to the entire northern kingdom as Ephraim rather than Israel, based on Jacob’s adoption of Joseph’s second son Ephraim as his own firstborn. Lesson 14 

—F—

Father—When capitalized, Father always refers to God the Father. Lessons 1, 3–6, 8, 11, 13–20, 24–25
feast of Tabernacles—One of three major Jewish religious feasts, sometimes called the feast of Booths. This end-of-year harvest celebration commemorates the 40 years that the descendants of Jacob spent wandering in the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt.  Jews were required to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Lesson 9
feast of the Dedication—Although not one of the three major feasts that Jews were required to celebrate at the Temple in Jerusalem, the feast of the Dedication is nevertheless an important religious festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in the second century B.C. In present-day Judaism, this feast is known as Hanukkah or the feast of Lights. Lesson 13
feast of the Passover—One of three major Jewish religious feasts. It commemorates the angel of death passing over the descendants of Jacob in Egypt, and God subsequently freeing them from slavery.  Jews were required to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Lessons 3, 7, 14–16, 22

—G—

Gabbatha—The Hebrew name for the place in Jerusalem known as the Pavement, where the Roman prefect or governor of the province of Judea sat in judgment. Lesson 22
Galileans—Inhabitants of the region known as Galilee located north of Judea and Samaria. Lesson 5
Galilee—The Hebrew origin of the word Galilee means “district,” and it seems first to have come into use as Galilee of the Gentiles, or “district of the Gentiles.” (Gentiles means nations who don’t follow Hebrew worship practices.) Later Galilee of the Gentiles was shortened to just Galilee, and describes the region located north of Judea and Samaria and surrounding the Sea of Galilee (often called the Sea of Tiberias). It was part of  the northern kingdom of Israel prior to that kingdom’s fall to Assyria in 722–721 B.C., which led to the Dispersion or relocation of what later came to be referred to as the lost tribes of Israel. Lessons 2–3, 5, 9, 15, 25
God—Always refers to God the Father.
Golgatha—The Hebrew name for the site of Jesus’ Crucifixion. The word Golgatha means “place of the skull.” Lesson 23
Greek (language)—Due to the vast reaches of territory conquered by Alexander the Great, Greek had become the primary language spoken throughout the known world at the time of Jesus and later when the Fourth Gospel was written. Even the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) were read in a Greek translation called the Septuagint. Lesson 23
Greeks (people)—Inhabitants of Greece. Under Alexander the Great, Greece was for a time the primary military and political power throughout the known world, including in all of the regions inhabited by the descendants of Jacob. Lessons 9, 15

—H—

Hebrew—The original language spoken by the Hebrews and Israelites who were the ancestors of practitioners of Judaism living in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. Because of the years that the descendants of Jacob spent in Babylon during the Exile, Aramaic had become the common spoken language. Because Judea was under Roman rule, the official language of government was Latin. Lessons 6, 22–24
Holy Father—God the Father. Lesson 20
Holy One of God—A title used by Simon Peter recognizing Jesus’ divine identity. Lesson 8
Holy Spirit—The third person of the Most Holy Trinity, also called the Counselor, the Spirit, and the Spirit of truth. In the Fourth Gospel, the Spirit is symbolized by the images of a dove and the wind. Lessons 2, 17, 25
Hosanna—A religious word used to express adoration, praise, and joy. Lesson 15

—I—

Isaiah—The Old Testament prophet with whom John chooses to identify  by claiming to be a voice crying in the wilderness. It is significant that John chooses the image of a voice when fulfilling his mission to point to the Word.  Most scholars agree that the Book of Isaiah was written by at least three people. Proto-Isaiah (first Isaiah) focuses on the first thirty-nine chapters and deals with the situation in Judah prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. Deutero- and Trito-Isaiah (second and third Isaiah, respectively) are believed to the be written by anonymous authors. They focus the exiled people’s desire for restoration of a right relationship with God. Passages cited in the Fourth Gospel are taken from Deutero-Isaiah. Lessons 2, 15
Israel—The name Israel means “may God prevail” or “he who struggles with God.” The term has a variety of meanings depending on context but always relates to the patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel by God. In the Fourth Gospel, Israel usually refers to all of Jacob’s descendants. Elsewhere in Scripture, Israel often is used to refer to the northern kingdom, which included all of the tribes except Judah and Benjamin. Lessons 2, 4
Israelite—As used in the Fourth Gospel, Israelite refers to any descendant of the patriarch Jacob. Lesson 2

—J—

Jacob—The son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. Jacob was renamed Israel by God, and he became the father of 12 sons whose descendants make up the 12 tribes of Israel. The LORD frequently is referred to in Scripture as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Lesson 5
Jerusalem—Originally a Jebusite stronghold, Jerusalem was conquered by David, who made it his capital city. It was located in territory settled by the tribe of Judah. After the united kingdom split, Jerusalem continued as capital of the southern kingdom. Jerusalem also was the site of the Temple, and at the time of Jesus it was the city to which practicing Jews traveled three times a year for mandatory religious festivals. Lessons 2–3, 5–6, 9, 13–15
Jesus—The name of the Son of God. In the Fourth Gospel, Jesus also is referred to as the Son of God, the Son of man, and the Word of God.
Jesus Christ—A title given to Jesus indicating that he is the long-awaited Messiah promised by God to be born into the line of David (the tribe of Judah) and to rule over an eternal kingdom. Lessons 1, 20
Jew/Jews/Jewish—Pertaining to Judaism or to practitioners of that law-based religion founded on traditional Hebrew worship of the God of Abraham. Judaism developed after the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 B.C. Prior to that, the term Judahite was used to describe members of the tribe of Judah. Before the Babylonian Captivity, descendants of Jacob who worshiped the God of Abraham are properly identified as Hebrews (descendants of Eber) or as Israelites (descendants of Jacob/Israel). In the Fourth Gospel, Jews refers almost exclusively to the Jewish religious leaders of the time—but it is significant that Jesus is himself a practicing Jew. Lessons 2–9, 11–15, 21–23, 25
John (John the Baptist in the synoptic Gospels)—The man sent from God to testify and bear witness to Jesus as God’s Word. It is significant that John’s role in baptizing people is downplayed in the Fourth Gospel. A better title for him in this biblical text might be John the Witness. Lessons 1–2, 4–6, 13
John (the Evangelist)—One of Jesus’ original 12 disciples and the traditional author of the Fourth Gospel. Although scholars debate whether John the Evangelist actually wrote this biblical work, its title—the Gospel According to John—attributes the material it includes and the viewpoint it represents to the disciple John, who appears several places in the Fourth Gospel but never is referred to by name. See the disciple whom Jesus loved.
John (father of Andrew and Simon)—Lessons 2, 25
Jordan—A river that has its source north of the Sea of Galilee and flows south into the Dead Sea. Because the descendants of Jacob crossed the Jordan River when entering the land of Canaan, the term “crossing the Jordan” sometimes is used as an image of dying and entering the Promised Land of heaven. Lessons 2, 4, 13
Joseph (father of Jesus)—Lesson 8
Joseph (son of the patriarch Jacob)—Because Jacob adopted Joseph’s two Egyptian-born sons as his own, Joseph’s descendants each received an inheritance in the land of Canaan. They are referred to either as Ephraimites or Manassites. The territories they settled later became part of the northern kingdom of Israel. Lessons 5
Joseph of Arimathea—A wealthy follower of Jesus who took Jesus’ body to be buried. The synoptic Gospels depict Joseph of Arimathea as a member of the Jewish religious council responsible for Jesus’ death, though he is described as being in disagreement with the council’s actions. Lesson 23
Judas/Judas Iscariot—The one of Jesus’ 12 disciples who betrays Jesus. Lessons 8, 15–16, 21
Judas (not Iscariot)—Scholars believe that Judas (not Iscariot) in the fourteenth chapter of the Fourth Gospel refers to the disciple Judas Thaddeus, sometimes simply called Thaddeus or Jude. Lesson 17
Judea—The name by which the former southern kingdom of Judah was known under Roman rule. Lessons 4–5, 9, 14

—K—

Kidron Valley—The Garden of Gethsemane, identified in the synoptic Gospels as the place where Jesus prayed the night before his arrest, is located in the Kidron Valley just east of Jerusalem. Lesson 21
King of Israel—The Fourth Gospel occasionally refers to Jesus as King of Israel instead of King of the Jews, a title that appears more frequently in the synoptic Gospels. The Jews were expecting the Messiah to be a king born into the line of David, with whom they share ancestry as members of the tribe of Judah. The author of the Gospel According to John appears to be emphasizing reinstatement of kingdom that would benefit all of the descendants of Jacob and not just those descended from Judah. Lessons 2, 15
King of the Jews—A title that indicates the Jews’ desire for God to fulfill his promise of a Messiah by sending a strong political leader who would free Judea from Roman rule. Lessons 22–23

—L—

Lamb of God—A term used by John (referred to as John the Baptist in the synoptic Gospels) to describe Jesus. It calls to mind the slain Passover Lamb whose blood was used to mark the doors of the Israelites in Egypt, allowing the angel of death to know which houses to pass over during the tenth and final plague. By identifying Jesus as the unblemished Lamb of God, John is foreshadowing Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection that will make eternal life a possibility for humanity. Lesson 2
Latin—The official language the Roman government uses when overseeing political matters in Judea. Lesson 23
Lazarus—A friend whom Jesus raises from the dead, one of several significant events not recorded in the synoptic Gospels. Lessons 14–15
Levites—Descendants of the tribe of Levi. Moses and Aaron were from the tribe of Levi, and it was Levites from the line of Aaron whom God designated as priests. Levites with different lineage were assigned various jobs relating to care and transportation of the tabernacle and ark of the covenant. As used in the Fourth Gospel, Levites refers to people associated with care of the Temple in Jerusalem. Lesson 2
Lord—Translation of the Greek word kyrie as a title for Jesus. The word enters the Catholic Mass in the phrase “Kyrie eleison” or “Lord, have mercy.” In the Fourth Gospel, when the word kyrie refers to Jesus it usually is translated as Lord, but the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE) and some other translations occasionally inexplicably translate it as “sir” of sometimes as “master.” Based on the Greek language, the way in which kyrie is translated is an arbitrary choice made by the translator. Lessons 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14–17, 24–25

—M—

Malchus—The name of the high priest’s slave whose ear is cut off by Peter when soldiers arrest Jesus on the Mount of Olives. Lesson 21
Martha—One of the two sisters of Lazarus. Lessons 14–15
Mary Magdalene—Stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus died—along with Jesus’ mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and the disciple whom Jesus loved. Lessons 23, 24
Mary (the Blessed Virgin)—In the Fourth Gospel, the Blessed Virgin Mary never is identified by name, only as the mother of Jesus. See Woman.
Mary (the sister of Lazarus and Martha)—A member of the family of Jesus’ close friends living in Bethany. Lessons 14–15
Mary (the wife of  Clopas)—Stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus died—along with Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, and the disciple whom Jesus loved. Lesson 23
Messiah—A Hebrew word meaning “Anointed One.” This title corresponds to the word Christ, derived from the Greek word Christos, which also means “Anointed.” Saying that Jesus is the Messiah or Christ (or calling him Jesus Christ) is the same as identifying Jesus as God’s Anointed. Because the former kings of Israel and Judah were anointed, Jews looking for the Messiah were expecting a king. In the history of their ancestors, however, priests and prophets also were anointed. Lessons 2, 5
Moses—A major figure in the Old Testament who was responsible for leading God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. Moses was revered by the Jews for receiving God’s law on Mt. Sinai and then transmitting it to the people. Jewish tradition held that before the coming of the Messiah, a prophet like Moses would appear. Lessons 1–2, 4, 6, 8–10, 12
Mount of Olives—One of three hills located on a long ridge just to the east of Jerusalem. Lesson 10

—N—

Nathanael—The disciple introduced to Jesus by Philip. Scholars believe that Nathanael is the same disciple who is referred to as Bartholomew in the synoptic Gospels. Lessons 2, 25
Nazareth—The town in Galilee in which Jesus grew up. Nazareth is located in a region that would have been part of the northern kingdom of Israel prior to that kingdom’s fall to Assyria in 722–721 B.C. Lessons 2, 21, 23
Nicodemus—A ruler of the Jews and a Pharisee. Lessons 4, 9, 23

—O—

One—The One who will judge the Jews; Jesus says this One seeks for him to receive glory. Lesson 11

—P—

Passover—See feast of Passover.
the Pavement—The place in Jerusalem known by the Hebrew name Gabbatha at which the Roman prefect or governor of the province of Judea sat in judgment. Lesson 22
Peter—Translation of a name meaning Rock, the name given by Jesus to Simon. It indicaties that Jesus sees Simon (or Peter) as being rock-solid. Lessons 2, 16, 21, 24–25
Pharisees—Jewish religious leaders who promoted strict adherence to the Law of Moses and to the traditional 613 additional regulations that over time had arisen out of interpretations of various passages in the first five books of the Old Testament (the Torah). The Pharisees and Sadducees can be thought of as somewhat similar to present-day political parties. Most Rabbis were Pharisees, and most priests were Sadducees. While their opinions differed about some religious matters, both groups opposed Jesus. Pharisee means “one who is separated,” referring to the Pharisees’ practice of not associating with Gentiles or irreligious Jews who might threaten the their idea of ritual purity based on the Law of Moses. Lessons 2, 4–5, 9–12, 14–15, 21
Philip—A disciple from Bethsaida who was personally called by Jesus. The Greek name Philip means “horse-lover.” Lessons 2, 7, 15, 17
Pilate—The Roman prefect serving as governor of the province of Judea at the time of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection. Lesson 22

—R—

Rabbi—A Hebrew word that means teacher. In the Fourth Gospel, rabbis are associated with the Pharisees. Their teaching emphasizes strict adherence to the law of Moses as a means of achieving holiness. Lessons 2, 4–5, 8, 12, 14
Rabboni—A Hebrew word that means teacher. In the Fourth Gospel, rabbis are associated with the Pharisees. Their teaching emphasizes strict adherence to the law of Moses as a means of achieving holiness. Lesson 24
Romans—Citizens of the Roman Empire, under whose rule Judea now was. Lesson 14

—S—

Salim—A town on the Jordan River located about halfway between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee (often called the Sea of Tiberias). Lesson 4
Samaria—Capital of the northern kingdom of Israel before that kingdom fell to the Assyrians in 722–721 B.C. Following the fall of the northern kingdom, the word Samaria began to be used refer to the entire territory that had been inhabited by the descendants of Jacob from 10 of the 12 tribes. Lesson 5
Samaritan/ Samaritans—Inhabitants of the region of Samaria that encompasses the territory of the former northern kingdom of Israel. After the fall of Israel in 722–721 B.C., Assyria deported many of the descendants of Jacob and replaced them with people from neighboring conquered countries where idol worship was prevalent. Lessons 5, 11
Satan—The name traditionally reserved for the devil or evil spirit opposed to God. Lesson 16
Savior—A person who provides safety for others. Lesson 5
Scripture/Scriptures—In the Fourth Gospel, Scripture or Scriptures refers to the books of the Old Testament, sometimes called the Hebrew Bible. The Greek translation from the Hebrew is called the Septuagint and was the text commonly used by Jews at the time of Jesus. Lessons 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23–24
Sea of Galilee—The traditional name for the body of water located in Galilee north of Jerusalem in a region that once was part of the former northern kingdom of Israel. The Sea of Galilee often is referred to by its later Roman name, the Sea of Tiberias. It occasionally is called the Lake of Galilee or the Lake of Tiberias. Lesson 7
Sea of Tiberias—The Roman name for the Sea of Galilee located north of Jerusalem in a region that once was part of the former northern kingdom of Israel. It occasionally is called the Lake of Galilee or the Lake of Tiberias. Lessons 7, 25
Sent—The Fourth Gospel notes that the name of the pool in which Jesus told the man born blind to wash, Siloam, means Sent. Lesson 12
Sheep Gate—Scholars believe that this gate was located in the eastern wall of the city of Jerusalem. It gets its name because it was used to bring in animals for sacrifice in the Temple. Lesson 6
Siloam—Scholars disagree about the exact location in Jerusalem of the pool of Siloam, but it is believed to have been connected by a tunnel to the main source of water outside the city, the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley. Lesson 12
Simon—The brother of Andrew, one of the first two disciples who abandon John in order to follow Jesus. Because Simon was renamed Peter by Jesus, the Fourth Gospel often refers to him as Simon Peter. Lessons 2, 25
Simon Iscariot—The father of Judas, the disciple who betrays Jesus. Lessons 8, 16
Simon Peter—The brother of Andrew, one of the first two disciples who abandon John in order to follow Jesus. Because Simon was renamed Peter by Jesus, the Fourth Gospel often refers to him as Simon Peter. Lessons 2, 7, 8, 16, 21, 24–25
Sir—Translation of the Greek word kyrie, which also can be translated as “Lord.” (It enters the Catholic Mass in the phrase “Kyrie eleison” or “Lord, have mercy.”) In the Fourth Gospel, when the word kyrie refers to Jesus it usually is translated as Lord, but the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE) and some other translations occasionally translate it as “sir” of sometimes as “master.” The translators of the RSVCE inexplicably fail to capitalize it in Lesson 12 when the man born blind uses the term to address Jesus. Based on the Greek laguage, the way in which kyrie is translated is an arbitrary choice made by the translator. Lessons 5–6, 12, 24
Solomon—The last king to rule over all of the descendants of Jacob. An outside walkway in the Temple complex was called the portico of Solomon. This walkway probably consisted of a roof over supporting columns, and may or may not have been attached to the Temple. Lesson 13
Son—When capitalized, Son always refers to Jesus, the Son of God the Father. Lessons 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 17, 20 
Son of man—A title taken from the apocalyptic Book of Daniel. In the Fourth Gospel, Jesus often applies this title to himself, emphasizing both his humanity and his divinity. Lessons 2, 4, 6, 8, 11–12, 15–16
Son of God—The Son of God the Father. Lessons 2, 4, 6, 13–14, 22, 25
sons of Zebedee—The sons of Zebedee are identified in the synoptic Gospels as the disciples James and John. Lesson 25
Spirit—The third person of the Most Holy Trinity, also called the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of truth. In the Fourth Gospel, the Spirit is symbolized by the images of a dove and the wind. Lessons 2, 4, 8–9
Spirit of truth—The third person of the Most Holy Trinity, also called the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, and the Spirit of truth. Lessons 17–19
Sychar—A town in Samaria located midway between Jerusalem and the northern region of Galilee. Lesson 5

—T—

Teacher—Although present-day Christians consider Jesus “a great high priest” as described in the Letter to the Hebrews, he wasn’t born into the priestly line of Aaron and so wouldn’t have been considered a priest by those who met him. Jesus most often is addressed as Rabbi, Rabboni, or Teacher, and he would have been identified by others as being at least loosely related to the Pharisees, whose ranks primarily were made up of rabbis.  Lessons 2, 14, 16, 24  
Thomas—One of Jesus’ disciples who also is known as the Twin. The reason remains something of a mystery, but the name Thomas appears to be derived from a Hebrew word meaning twin. Lessons 14, 17, 25
Tiberias—A small town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, which also is called the Sea of Tiberias. Lesson 8
the Twelve—The 12 men who were Jesus’ followers. They often are called disciples, a word that means “learners.” Lesson 8
the Twin—A designation for one of Jesus’ disciples. It appears to be connected to the Hebrew root of the name Thomas. Lessons 14, 25

—W—

Woman—A generic term that Jesus uses as a title to refer to his mother and to other females in the Fourth Gospel. The translators of the RSVCE inexplicably fail to capitalize it in Lesson 3, which is where Jesus uses the term to address his mother. It isn’t to be interpreted as an indicator that Jesus doesn’t respect these women. Lessons 5, 10, 23–24
Word—The way in which the Evangelist John describes the Son of God in the prologue to the Fourth Gospel. Lesson 1

—Z—

Zion—Another name for Jerusalem, sometimes spelled Sion. Lesson 15