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 by Him;
witnessed His death (19:26,27)
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