Gospel of John

The Gospel of John is a book of the Bible. It is one of the four "gospels" at the beginning of the New Testament. The four gospels tell the life of Jesus. The Gospel of John is the fourth book of the New Testament. John comes after the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

The gospel is an account or report on the ministry of Jesus. There are patterns and repeated events or sentences in the book. For instance, there are seven signs in the Gospel. They end with the resurrection of Lazarus. This event foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus also says seven "I am" sentences in the book. An account of the death and resurrection of Jesus is at the end of the book. The author writes that he wrote the book so that readers "may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name". (TNIV; John 20:31)

The Gospel of John says that the book was written by "the disciple whom Jesus loved".  Bible scholars believe John the Apostle, the son of Zebedee, wrote the gospel. He was probably the youngest of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. John lived a long life and was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos in his old age. He also wrote the last book of the New Testament, called the "Book of Revelation". There is some disagreement whether the letters of John, the Gospel of John, the Book of Revelation have the same author John. 

The Gospel of John is unique and different from the other three gospels (Synoptic Gospels). All four Gospels tell stories about Jesus, but John has more abstract ideas about Jesus and God. Scholars say the Gospel is more theological. For example, the Gospel begins by calling Jesus "the Word" of God and the Light that came into the world. The writer says that Jesus was born of God and that believers can also become "children of God."   

 Summary and content 

 Prologue (1:1-1:19) 
In the first verse, the author makes Jesus equal with God. The book begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1, NASB). The author writes that the Word (Jesus) created all things. The author also calls Jesus the life and light of men. The author explains that the light came into the world and that Word became flesh and that the disciples saw his glory. The author claims all who believe in the Word can be born of God and become sons of God. 

 Public ministry (1:19-12:50) 
The author goes on to describe the ministry of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus. Unlike the other Gospels, John calls Jesus the "Lamb of God" (John 1:36). The book then describes Jesus calling his disciples (his followers). Jesus' first miracle (a supernatural event) is turning water into wine at a wedding. Afterwards, Jesus enters the Jewish temple. He chases out the money changers and calls himself the temple of God. Jesus tells the people, "When you destroy this temple, I will raise it up again in three days” (John 2: 19, NIrV). The book says Jesus was talking about his own body.  

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Jewish leader, comes to Jesus at night and questions Jesus. Jesus says one most be born again with the Holy Spirit to see the kingdom of God. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIrV). Jesus says God wants to save the world through Jesus. Jesus says he is the Light of the world, but that people love darkness (evil). Jesus comes to judge the world, because they do not believe and do evil. The passage calls Jesus the Son of God the Father. John the Baptist says that Jesus is greater than him. 

The Gospel writes about the healing miracles of Jesus. The text says Jesus was making himself equal with God. According to John, Jesus said he is one with the Father and that the Father loves him. Jesus also said both the Father and Son give life and that he comes in the name of the Father. Jesus claims Moses and the Scriptures all speak about Jesus. The Gospels goes on to   narrate two miracles: Jesus feeding the five thousand and Jesus walking on water. 

According to John, Jesus says he is the bread of life from heaven. Jesus says an "I am" statement. It reads, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. And whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6: 35, NIrV). Jesus promises that all who believe will have eternal life and that he will raise them from the dead. In the book, Jesus says he gives his flesh as bread for the world. John writes that many disciples left Jesus when he said that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood to live.  

Jesus later goes to the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot) secretly. He teaches there in the temple courts. Some leaders want to arrest Him, but no one does. There are different reactions to Jesus. Some people think he is demon-possessed, but others think he is the Messiah. Some ask if a prophet can come from Galilee. Jesus again calls himself the light of the world. The pharisees question Jesus about his testimony. Jesus claims that he and the Father are both witnesses to his testimony. Jesus claims that all who obey him will never see death. Jesus also claims he existed before Abraham. He says “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58, NASB). Here, Jesus is indirectly saying he is God and the people try to stone him because he said it. Jesus goes on to heal a blind man and the Pharisees investigate the healing. 

Jesus uses metaphors to talk about himself and his disciples. He says, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep" (John 10: 7, NASB). He also says, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11, NASB). These are both "I am" statements. He also says that he knows his sheep and that they know him. He promises that no one can take the sheep away. Jesus later says that "I and the Father are one." The people try to seize and stone Jesus, becaue they believe Jesus blasphemed. The book writes that many believed Jesus. 

The following miracle is considered the final sign of Jesus. It is the resurrection of Lazarus. The event also contains another "I am" statement. Jesus says to Mary, the sister of Lazarus, "I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies." (John 11: 25, NASB). Chapter 11 contains the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). John describes how Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. John explains that the chief priests and Pharisees are trying to kill Jesus. Jesus goes to the wilderness to hide himself. 

John describes how Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, anoints Jesus. Then the text describes Jesus entering Jerusalem. The people of the city put palm branches out to celebrate Jesus' coming. Jesus predicts his own death. Jesus says that whoever hates his life, will have eternal life. He says that the Father will honor those who serve Jesus. John says many believed Jesus, but also that many did not believe Jesus. Jesus says the Father commanded him to say all he says. 

 Farewell Discourse (13:1-17:26) 
The next main part of the book is Jesus' farewell discourse (final talk) to his disciples. Jesus goes on to wash his disciples' feet like a servant. According to John, Jesus predicts Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. Jesus says Peter will deny him three times before a rooster crows. These predictions bother the disciples. Jesus comforts them and says another "I am" sentence.  He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NASB). 

Another "I am" sentence comes afterward. Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser" (John 15; 1, NASB). Jesus calls his disciples the branches and himself the vine. The branches can only bear fruit if they are connected to the vine (Jesus). Branches that don't bear fruit are burned. Branches that remain in the vine (Jesus) bear fruit. Jesus says they will have joy and love.  

Jesus gives his disciples a commandment, “Love one another, just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than the one who gives their life for their friends" (John 15:12-13, NirV). Jesus calls his disciples friends and says that he choose them. Jesus says that the world hates his disciples, because they hate Jesus. Jesus promises the coming of the Helper, the Spirit, when he leaves. He says that the Spirit shows the world their wrongs (sin). Jesus promises that the Spirit will guide his disciples. 

Jesus goes on to predict his death and resurrection in figures of speech (not directly). He says he will go to the Father shortly. His disciples will be sad for a time and the world will be happy. Jesus says he will come again and that the disciples will have joy again. Jesus says no one can take this joy away. He says his disciples can have peace. Jesus also says there will be hardship in the world, but that he has "overcome the world" (John 16:33, NASB).  

Jesus then prays to the Father before he is arrested. Jesus asks the Father to glorify him with the Father so he can give eternal life. Jesus says he has shown who God is to his disciples. He has given the disciples the Father's words. The disciples have heard the Father's words and believed Jesus. He prays the Father would keep them safe in his name. He prays the Father will protect them from evil and from Satan. He also prays they would be set apart to be one with God. He asks they remain in God’s truth. He prays they all be one, just as he and the Father are one. Jesus prays for future disciples to be one in the Father's love. He prays the love and unity of his followers would show the world God’s glory.

 Passion and resurrection (18:1–21:25) 
In the rest of the book, John writes about the betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion (Roman execution on a cross) and reported resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is arrested at the Garden of Gethsemane at night. Judas comes with a group of Roman soldiers. Jesus asks who they are looking for and they say they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus says "I am he." John says that the men all fell down at the words of Jesus.  

The soldiers and Judas bring Jesus to Annas. Peter follows Jesus from a distance and some people question Peter. According to John, Peter denies Jesus three times before a rooster crows and Peter weeps. The leaders send Jesus to Caiaphas and to Pilate. Pilate questions Jesus and asks if he is the king of the Jews. Jesus says his kingdom is not from this world. He says his disciples would otherwise fight for him with weapons. Jesus says, "You say that I am a king. In fact, that’s the reason I was born. I was born and came into the world to be a witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37, NIrV). Pilate says he believes Jesus is innocent. Pilate asks the Jews if he should let Jesus go. Pilate is afraid and gives into the crowd. He gives Jesus over to the soldiers.   

The text describes Jesus' death on the cross and burial. Jesus carries his own cross to the place of the skull, called Golgotha. The place is outside the city of Jerusalem. There are two criminals crucified with Jesus. A sign above the cross of Jesus reads, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  Soldiers cast lots for the robe of Jesus. Jesus' last words are "It is finished" before he gives up his spirit and dies. Several followers of Jesus care for the body of Jesus.  

The final chapters talk about his reported resurrection. The resurrection happens on the first day of the week, Sunday. Mary Magdaline, Peter and John the Apostle are the first to see the empty tomb. Jesus appears to his disciples, including Mary Magdaline. Thomas first doubts it is Jesus. Jesus eats breakfast with his disciples. Jesus commands Peter to feed and take care of his sheep three times. Peter says Jesus knows everything and says he loves Jesus. 

Near the end, the author says why he wrote book. The author writes, "Jesus performed many other signs in front of his disciples. They are not written down in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you believe this, you will have life because you belong to him" (John 20:30-31, NIrV). The book ends with the line, "Jesus also did many other things. What if every one of them were written down? I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25, NIrV). 

 Structure 
Most scholars say there are four sections (parts) in the Gospel of John. First, there is a prologue (1:1–18). Second, there is an account of Christ's ministry. This is often called the "Book of Signs" (1:19–12:50). Third, there is a part on Jesus's final night with his disciples and the passion and resurrection. Scholars sometimes call this part the "Book of Glory" or "Book of Exaltation" (13:1–20:31). Fourth, there is a conclusion (20:30–31). More scholars believe the text is one literary unit. This means the different parts of the book agree with one another. 

There are repeated events and sentences in the "Book of Signs." For instance, there are seven signs or miracles in this part. There are also seven "I am" sentences. The number seven is significant for symbolism.  
+Repetition in the Gospel of John 7 Signs (Miracles) in the Book of Signs7 "I am" sentences in the Book of SignsChanging water into wine (John 2:1-11)"I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35)Healing the official's son (John 4:46-54)"I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12)Healing the paralytic (John 5:1-15)"I am the Gate (or Door)" (John 10:7)Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:5-14)"I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11, 14)Walking on water (John 6:16-21)"I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25)Healing the blind man (John 9:1-7)"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6)Raising Lazarus (John 11:1-45)"I am the True Vine" (John 15:1, 5) 

 Relation to other texts 

 Gospel of John and other Gospels 
The Gospel of John is very different from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). It selects different material. it is more theological. It has a different order of events. There is a different writing style. There are also some disagreements in the texts. These disagreements lead to contradictions. These differences are also common in biographies from this time period.  

There are several events or themes only in John and not in the other Gospels: 

 John's prologue is unique and not found in other Gospels.
 The Wedding at Cana and turning water into wine.
 Nicodemus talking with Jesus.  
 Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.   
 The healing at the pool of Bethesda. 
 The healing of the man born blind. 
 The raising of Lazarus. 
 The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. 
 Thomas doubting Jesus after his resurrection.
 Jesus restoring Peter after his denial.  
 "I AM" statements not found in other gospels.
 John has almost no parables unlike the other gospels.
 John has long theological discourses, not just story-telling.
 John openly describes Jesus as messiah unlike the other Gospels.
 John has no mention of hell unlike the other Gospels.

 Gospel of John and the Hebrew Bible  
The Gospel of John refers to books in the Hebrew Bible. The beginning of John uses language from Genesis 1:1 (in the beginning). The book of Exodus uses "I AM" as a name for God. In Exodus 3:14, God gives his name "I AM who I AM" to Moses. In John, Jesus uses several "I AM" sentences for himself. Jesus talks about a story about Moses and a serpent. Jesus says he is like the serpent in Numbers 21:8-9 and that he must be lifted up. Jesus refers to the law about testimonies. He says he and the Father make two testimonies. This refers to Deuteronomy 19:15. It says that two testimonies are true. The Gospel of John also writes about Jewish festivals from the Hebrew Bible.  

The book claims to fulfill passages from the Old Testament. The text claims Jesus is the fulfilled Messiah of the Old Testament. The Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah to save the Jews. Jesus says that Moses wrote about him. The text says certain events fulfill prophecies of the Old Testament. One event is Jesus riding on a donkey. Another is Jesus not breaking any bones on the cross. Another is that soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing. The author believes the death of Jesus fulfills the Old Testament. The Gospel refers to books of Psalms and Isaiah. 

 In popular culture 
The phrase "born again" comes from the third chapter, and was the title of a book by Chuck Colson who was a lawyer for President Nixon but after being in jail became a prison reformer.  The phrase was used later for any person who had a dramatic change in their life. 

Chapter 3, verse 16 is perhaps the best known verse in the entire New Testament.  "For God loved the world so much that He gave his only son (Jesus), so that whoever believed in Him, would not die but live forever". This verse was searched on the internet by millions of people after Tim Tebow, an American football player wrote "Jn 3:16" on his face in an important football game. The verse also appears on the bottom of cups at In-N-Out Burger and on shopping bags from Forever 21. 

Related pages

 Jesus
 Bible
 Christianity
 St John Passion

References




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Category:New Testament books