INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
When someone tells me that they wish to study the Bible for the very first time, I typically send them to the Gospel of John. It is a book that has equal value both to beginners as well as to those who have studied the Scriptures for a lifetime. It is at the very heart of the Scriptures.
AUTHOR
The author is not named in the book. Church tradition says that the author was the apostle John. It is noteworthy that the person of John is not mentioned by name within the Gospel account. When he is referenced, he is simply called "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20).
THE DATE OF COMPOSITION
When was the Gospel of John penned? Our earliest manuscript evidence is the small manuscript fragment known as the Rylands Papyri (p52) that contains a portion of John 18 and has been dated to the early part of the second century.
A number of dates for the original composition of the Gospel of John have been suggested by scholars.
1. The Early Date.
In support of an early date of authorship prior to the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem is the fact that Jerusalem and its Pool of Bethesda are described in the present tense: Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. (John 5:2).
The problem with this is that the Pool of Bethesda can still be seen in Jerusalem today, nearly 2000 years after the fall of Jerusalem and this statement could be accurately made today.
2. The Traditional Date.
Writing in the late 2nd century, Irenaeus comments on Revelation 13 and its reference to the number 666: We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of Antichrist; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen no very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitian’s reign.
Domitian was assassinated on September 18, 96 A.D. This would place the writing of the book of Revelation shortly before that time.
Ignatius seems to quote from John’s gospel on several occasions: John 3:8 in the Epistle to the Philadelphians in chapter 7, John 5:30 in the Magnesians, chapter 7, John 1:14 in the Ephesians, chapter 8 and John 20:27 in the Smyrneans chapter 3. This means that his Gospel was in sufficient circulation by A.D. 106 for the Bishop of Antioch (Ignatius) to have studied it.
PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL ACCOUNT
The author states his reason for writing this account: Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31).It has been suggested that this double purpose forms an outline of the book:
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1:1 |
1:19 |
12:1 |
20:1 |
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Written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God... |
...and that believing you may have life in His name |
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Prologue |
Period of 3 years |
Passion Week |
Epilogue |
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Focus upon the ministry and miracles of Jesus |
Focus upon Jesus teaching his disciples and the events of the death, burial & resurrection |
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Public Ministry |
Private Ministry |
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John stresses the deity of Christ. Jesus is presented as the Son of God. This is not to say that the other gospel accounts do not speak of His deity, but John gives this a special emphasis.
John stands in contrast to the other three gospel accounts. They are described as the "Synoptics" because they are similar in ourlook. John is unique and different.
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Matthew |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
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Portrait of Jesus |
King |
Servant |
Teacher |
Son of God |
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Original readers |
Jews |
Romans? |
Greeks |
Church |
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Key phrase |
Kingdom of heaven |
Immediately |
Son of man |
Believe |
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Prominent sections |
Sermons |
Miracles |
Parables |
Teachings |
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Genealogy |
Traced back to Abraham |
None |
Traced to Adam |
None |
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Geographic Emphasis |
Emphasis on the ministry of Jesus in Galilee |
Ministry in Judea |
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Time Sequence |
Only one Passover mentioned |
3 Passovers |
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The first three Gospel accounts can be seen in contrast to the Gospel of John in a number of different areas.
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Synoptic Gospels |
John’s Gospel |
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Emphasize the kingdom inheritance |
Emphasizes eternal life inheritance |
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Relates many of the short sayings of Jesus |
Gives more of the long discourses of Jesus |
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Emphasize future prophecy |
Very little about future prophecy |
John is silent about each of these events because they do not play a part in his major theme of presenting Jesus as the Son of God.
On the other hand, John is unique in telling us of...
Throughout the first portion of the book, there are seven signs that are presented. These miraculous signs are meant to show us that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The final and eighth sign is of the resurrection of Christ.
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2:1-11 |
4:46-54 |
5:1-18 |
6:1-14 |
6:16-21 |
9:1-41 |
11:1-44 |
20:1-28 |
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Water to wine |
Son healed |
Lame man at pool |
Feeding of 5,000 |
Walking on water |
Blind man healed |
Lazarus raised |
Christ raised |
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Seven selected signs |
Supreme sign |
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We are meant to see these signs through the eyes of the disciples. They are said to be growing in their belief as they see the signs and we are meant to grow with them.