Morris states in his introduction that John “…is a simple Gospel. The humblest believer can read it and understand it and profit from it”, but notes that “…there are unplumbed depths in the limpid clarity of this writing. What at first appears obvious is presently seen to pose problems. Most students would agree with Hoskyns that years of close study of this Gospel do not leave one with a feeling of having mastered it, but rather with the conviction that it is still 'strange, restless, and unfamiliar.'"

About the New International Commentary on the New Testament

"Faithful criticism" characterizes volumes in The New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT), and is widely recognized by pastors, students, and scholars alike for its attention to the text of Scripture, its currency with contemporary scholarship, and its service to the global church.

The interpretive work reflected in these commentaries is based on careful study of the Greek text, but commentary readers need not be practiced in the biblical languages to benefit from them. In the same way, NICNT volumes reflect serious work in technical areas — such as linguistics, textual criticism, and historical concerns — but the commentary itself focuses on understanding the text rather than navigating scholarly debates. Readers can turn to the footnotes and excursuses for more specialized interaction with the Greek text and engagement with critical issues and literature.