NewTestament Survey Gospel of John Gospel of John

New-Testament Survey: Gospel of John

Gospel of John: Its Author • John was one of Zebedee’s sons, the brother of James. (Mark 4: 21, 22) • James and John were both fishermen. • As he mended his nets, Jesus called him to be His disciple. • He was a disciple of John the Baptist. (John 1: 35) • His home was in Jerusalem. (John 19: 26, 27)

Gospel of John: Its Author • Included in the inner circle (with Peter and James) • Was present at the raising of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5: 37) • One of the witnesses of Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17) • “Disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13: 23) • Closely associated with Peter and his work (Acts 8: 14; Galatians 2: 9)

Gospel of John: Its Author • Also the author of 1, 2 and 3 John, as well as Revelation. • Spent the later part of his life in Asia Minor, probably in Ephesus. • Banished to Isle of Patmos during reign of Domitian. • Only disciple who did not die as a martyr. • Lived to an advanced age; was probably the last apostle to die.

Gospel of John: Its Author • Possessed an ardent temperament; one of the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3: 17) • Rebuked a man for casting out demons (Luke 9: 49) • Wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village for not accepting Jesus (Luke 9: 51 -56) • Asked Jesus to grant him and James special places in the kingdom (Matthew 20: 28) • Place of prominence at the Last Supper (John 13: 23) • Accompanied Christ into the court and stood

Gospel of John: When Written • The majority of scholars believe John wrote the Gospel of John at Ephesus after he returned from the Isle of Patmos. • Written between 96 and 98 A. D. • A fragmentary manuscript of John 18: 3133, 37, 38 gives evidence that it was used in the first half of the second century. • Written for use among the Gentiles. John went to great length to explain the Jewish customs and feasts.

Gospel of John: To Whom Written • Internal evidence indicates John’s gospel was not written for the benefit of the Jews. • The Jews would not need the explanations of their customs. – 1: 38, 41; 5: 1, 2; 4: 9; 7: 2 • The Gospel’s simplicity gives it a universal appeal—the universal gospel!

Gospel of John: Purpose • John 20: 30, 31 • Signs – Manifestation of His power • Belief – The desired effect of the signs • Life – Eternal life--the spiritual benefit • Meaning and purpose of the miracles

Gospel of John: Purpose • Seven miracles in John: – Changing water into wine (2: 1 -11) – Healing the nobleman’s son (4: 46 -54) – Healing the impotent man (5: 1 -18) – Feeding the 5, 000 (6: 1 -14) – Walking on the water (6: 16 -21) – Healing the blind man (9: 1 -12) – Raising Lazarus (11: 1 -46)

Gospel of John: Purpose • The Divinity of Jesus: – Pre-existence of Jesus (1: 1 -14) – Testimony of John the Baptist (1: 15 -36) – The miracles already listed

Gospel of John: Purpose • The “I Am’s: ” – Bread of life (6: 36) – Light of the world (8: 12) – The door (10: 7) – The good shepherd (10: 11 -14) – The resurrection and the life (11: 25) – The way, the truth, and the life (14: 6) – The true vine (15: 1)

Gospel of John: Purpose • To emphasize what it means to have faith in Christ. – 98 times used to show the type of response one should have toward Jesus – His name (1: 12) – Believe on Him (3: 16) – Believe on Him who has been sent (5: 24) – Come (6: 37) – Drink (4: 14)

Gospel of John: Purpose • Personal interviews with Jesus: – Nicodemus (3) – Samaritan woman (4) – The blind man (9) – Mary and Martha (11) – Pharisees (8) – Disciples (13) – Pilate (18)

Gospel of John: Purpose • Emphasized salvation (eternal life) as the objective of faith – John 3: 15 -17 – John 3: 36 – John 4: 36 – John 5: 24 – John 5: 28, 29 – John 5: 39, 40 – John 6: 54

Gospel of John: Contents and Character • Brief outline of the gospel of John: – Prologue (1: 1 -18) – Jesus’ public ministry (1: 19— 12: 50) – Jesus’ private ministry (13: 1— 17: 26) – Jesus’ suffering (18: 1— 20: 31) – Postscript: the final appeal (21: 1 -25)

Gospel of John: Contents and Character • Some differences: – Wrote about the week of the Lord’s suffering in much greater detail. – Feeding of 5, 000 (6: 1 -14) – Walking on the sea (6: 6 -21) – Christ’s farewell discourse to His disciples— involving only a few hours! – Night of betrayal, the trial, and the crucifixion (chapters 13 -19)

Gospel of John: Contents and Character • Some differences: – Tells the story from a personal point of view— ”we beheld his glory. ” (1: 14) – Includes himself as failing to understand Jesus at first. (2: 22; 12: 16) – The end of Jesus’ speaking and John’s reflections are difficult to separate. (3: 23 -26) – Emphasizes the importance of being an eyewitness. – He was competent to give his testimony!

Gospel of John: Contents and Character • Things described in intimate detail: – Six disciples at the beginning (1) – Six water pots at Cana (2: 16) – Boy with five loaves and two fishes (6: 9) – Lazarus’ coming out of the grave (11: 44) – The weight of the embalming mixture (9: 38 -40) – Careful folding of linen cloths (20: 4 -8)

Gospel of John: Contents and Character • Emphasized the Fatherhood of God: – Over 100 times in his gospel! – John 4: 23 – John 5: 21 – John 7: 16 – John 10: 29 – John 14: 10 – John 14: 23 – John 17: 5, 11