The Book Of John
Author
The author is the apostle John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (13:23 [see note there]; 19:26;
20:2; 21:7,20,24). He was prominent in the early church but is not mentioned by name in this
Gospel -- which would be natural if he wrote it, but hard to explain otherwise.
The author knew Jewish life well, as seen from references to
 popular Messianic speculations (see, e.g., 1:21 and note; 7:40-42), to
 the hostility between Jews and Samaritans (see 4:9 and note), and to
 Jewish customs, such as the duty of circumcision on the eighth day taking precedence
over the prohibition of working on the Sabbath (see note on 7:22).
He knew the geography of the Holy Land,
 locating Bethany about 15 stadia (about two miles) from Jerusalem (11:18) and
mentioning
 Cana, a village not referred to in any earlier writing known to us (2:1 [see note there];
21:2).
The Gospel of John has many touches that appear to reflect the recollections of an eyewitness -such as the
 house at Bethany being filled with the fragrance of the broken perfume jar (see 12:3 and
note).
Purposes & Emphasis
Slide 1.
The Gospel of John
Slide 2.
Reason for Writing This Book: That is why John wrote this Gospel—to build
faith and confidence in Jesus Christ so that we may believe that he truly was and is the
Son of God (Joh_20:30-31).
Slide 3.
John wrote to believers everywhere, both Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles).
Slide 4.
As one of Jesus' 12 disciples, John writes with credibility and the details of an
eyewitness.
His book is a thematic presentation of Jesus' life.
Many in John's original audience had a Greek background.
Greek culture encouraged worship of many mythological gods, whose supernatural
characteristics were as important to Greeks as genealogies were to Jews.
John shows that Jesus is not only different from but superior to these gods of mythology.
Slide 5.
John's description shows clearly that he is speaking of Jesus (see especially
Joh_1:14)—a human being he knew and loved, but at the same time
 the Creator of the universe,
 the ultimate revelation of God,
 the living picture of God's holiness,
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The Book Of John
 the one who "holds all creation together" (Col_1:17).
Slide 6.
Slide 7.
To Jewish readers, to say this man Jesus "was God" was blasphemous.
To Greek readers, "the Word became human" (Joh_1:14) was unthinkable.
Slide 8.
To John, this new understanding of the Word was the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The literary style of this witness of Jesus is also unique among the Gospels; here
Slide 9.
focus is on the "signs" of Jesus' identity and mission
Slide 10.
John begins with the profound announcement that Jesus is the "in the beginning"
creative Word of God who had become embodied (incarnated) as a human being to be the
light of life for the world.
Slide 11.
After this comes the proclamation that this Jesus is the Son of God sent from the
Father to finish the Father's work in the world (see 4:34 and note).
Slide 12.
God's own glory is made visible in him ("Anyone who has seen me has seen the
Father," 14:9), and what he does glorifies the Father.
Slide 13.
In him the full grace and truth of God has shown itself.
A series of "I am" claims about Jesus
(see 6:35; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7,9,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1,5).
(John 6:35 AMP) Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be
hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any
more (at any time).
(John 8:12 AMP) Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world.
He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.
(John 9:5 AMP) As long as I am in the world, I am the world's Light.
(John 10:7 AMP) So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am
the Door for the sheep.
(John 10:9 AMP) I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He
will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.
(John 10:14 AMP) I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own
know and recognize Me-(John 11:25 AMP) Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever
believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live;
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The Book Of John
(John 14:6 AMP) Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to
the Father except by (through) Me.
(John 15:1 AMP) I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
(John 15:5 AMP) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears
much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do
nothing.
Slide 14.
What Jesus taught and what he did are tied inseparably to who he is.
Slide 15.
John shows Jesus as fully human and fully God.
Slide 16.
Although Jesus took upon himself full humanity and lived as a man, he never
ceased to be the eternal God who has always existed, the Creator and Sustainer of all things,
and the source of eternal life.
Slide 17.
This is the truth about Jesus, and the foundation of all truth.
Slide 18.
If we cannot or do not believe this basic truth, we will not have enough faith to
trust our eternal destiny to him.
Slide 19.
(John 1:1 AMP) IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.]
Slide 20.
(John 1:2 AMP) He was present originally with God.
Slide 21.
(John 1:3 AMP) All things were made and came into existence through Him; and
without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.
Slide 22.
(John 1:4 AMP) In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.
Slide 23.
(John 1:5 AMP) And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has
never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].
[comprehended] Greek:
 to seize upon;
 to keep down or under;
 stop;
 to catch up with in the sense of to discover or detect. (Did not try to receive Him)
 It means that the satanic powers of darkness (Eph. 6:12) did not overcome the Word, but
that the Word spoiled them on the cross (Col. 2:14-17). —Dake's Study Notes
Slide 24.
3:1.]
(John 1:6 AMP) There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. [Mal.
Slide 25.
(John 1:7 AMP) This man came to witness, that he might testify of the Light, that
all men might believe in it [adhere to it, trust it, and rely upon it] through him.
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The Book Of John
 Why did you come?
 If someone asked you on the job, why did you come here?
Slide 26.
(John 1:8 AMP) He was not the Light himself, but came that he might bear
witness regarding the Light.
Slide 27.
(John 1:9 AMP) There it was--the true Light [was then] coming into the world
[the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person. [Isa. 49:6.]
Slide 28.
(John 1:10 AMP) He came into the world, and though the world was made
through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him].
Slide 29.
(John 1:11 AMP) He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own--His
domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not
welcome Him.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all
the difference. –Robert Frost
Slide 30.
(John 1:12 AMP) But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the
authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who
believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name--[Isa. 56:5.]
Slide 31.
(John 1:13 AMP) Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the
flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God.
[They are born of God!]
Slide 32.
(John 1:14 AMP) And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and
tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory
(His honor, His majesty),
Slide 33.
such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor,
loving-kindness) and truth. [Isa. 40:5.]
Slide 34.
(John 1:15 AMP) John testified about Him and cried out, This was He of Whom I
said, He Who comes after me has priority over me, for He was before me. [He takes rank
above me, for He existed before I did. He has advanced before me, because He is my Chief.]
Slide 35.
(John 1:16 AMP) For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all
had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon
spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.
Slide 36.
(John 1:17 AMP) For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned,
undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ. [Exod. 20:1.]
Slide 37.
(John 1:18 AMP) No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or
the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has
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The Book Of John
declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has
interpreted Him and He has made Him known]. [Prov. 8:30.]
 The Son (God) revealed the Father’s essence, attributes, etc.
 word, nature, love, purposes, promises, counsels, wisdom, covenant, perfections, and





deeds
Seen: Physical, mentally, experienced fully
Declared: put Him in full view
Moses could not reveal God, the Father, like Jesus did!
Other people had seen manifestations of God; but not the Father, Himself!
In His bosom: Intimate presence
Application:
Joh_7:29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
Joh_8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I
shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Joh_14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye
know him, and have seen him.
Joh_14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not,
neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
(John 7:29 AMP) I know Him [Myself] because I come from His [very] presence, and it was
He [personally] Who sent Me.
(John 8:55 AMP) Yet you do not know Him or recognize Him and are not acquainted with
Him, but I know Him. If I should say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But
I know Him and keep His word [obey His teachings, am faithful to His message].
(John 14:7 AMP) If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have
known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.
(John 14:17 AMP) The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its
heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and
recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.
Therefore,
 Let’s bring Him out where the world can see Him.
 Let’s bring Him out in the open where all can know Him!
 Let’s reveal Him to the world, as they do not know Him.
 Let’s reveal Him and bring Him out where He can be seen;
 Let’s interpret Him and make Him known]
Slide 38.
(John 1:19 AMP) And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests
and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?
Slide 39.
(John 1:20 AMP) He confessed (admitted the truth) and did not try to conceal it,
but acknowledged, I am not the Christ!
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The Book Of John
Slide 40.
(John 1:21 AMP) They asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am
not! Are you the Prophet? And he answered, No! [Deut. 18:15, 18; Mal. 4:5.]
Slide 41.
(John 1:22 AMP) Then they said to him, Who are you? Tell us, so that we may
give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?
Slide 42.
(John 1:23 AMP) He said, I am the voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness
[the voice of one shouting in the desert], Prepare the way of the Lord [level, straighten out,
the path of the Lord], as the prophet Isaiah said. [Isa. 40:3.]
Slide 43.
(John 1:24 AMP) The messengers had been sent from the Pharisees.
Slide 44.
(John 1:25 AMP) And they asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are not
the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?
Slide 45.
(John 1:26 AMP) John answered them, I [only] baptize in (with) water. Among
you there stands One Whom you do not recognize and with Whom you are not acquainted
and of Whom you know nothing. [Mal. 3:1.]
Slide 46.
(John 1:27 AMP) It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the
string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose.
Slide 47.
(John 1:28 AMP) These things occurred in Bethany (Bethabara) across the Jordan
[at the Jordan crossing], where John was then baptizing.
Slide 48.
(John 1:29 AMP) The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Look!
There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! [Exod. 12:3; Isa. 53:7.]
Slide 49.
(John 1:30 AMP) This is He of Whom I said, After me comes a Man Who has
priority over me [Who takes rank above me] because He was before me and existed before I
did.
Slide 50.
(John 1:31 AMP) And I did not know Him and did not recognize Him [myself];
but it is in order that He should be made manifest and be revealed to Israel [be brought out
where we can see Him] that I came baptizing in (with) water.
 John was not personally acquainted with Jesus.
 There could be no chance of agreement or conspiracy!
Slide 51.
(John 1:32 AMP) John gave further evidence, saying, I have seen the Spirit
descending as a dove out of heaven, and it dwelt on Him [never to depart].
Slide 52.
(John 1:33 AMP) And I did not know Him nor recognize Him, but He Who sent
me to baptize in (with) water said to me, Upon Him Whom you shall see the Spirit descend
and remain, that One is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
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The Book Of John
Slide 53.
(John 1:34 AMP) And I have seen [that happen--I actually did see it] and my
testimony is that this is the Son of God!
Slide 54.
(John 1:35 AMP) Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,
Slide 55.
(John 1:36 AMP) And he looked at Jesus as He walked along, and said, Look!
There is the Lamb of God!
Slide 56.
(John 1:37 AMP) The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Him.
Slide 57.
(John 1:38 AMP) But Jesus turned, and as He saw them following Him, He said
to them, What are you looking for? [And what is it you wish?] And they answered Him,
Rabbi--which translated is Teacher--where are You staying?
Slide 58.
(John 1:39 AMP) He said to them, Come and see. So they went and saw where
He was staying, and they remained with Him that day. It was then about the tenth hour (about
four o'clock in the afternoon).
Slide 59.
(John 1:40 AMP) One of the two who heard what John said and followed Jesus
was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
Slide 60.
(John 1:41 AMP) He first sought out and found his own brother Simon and said
to him, We have found (discovered) the Messiah!--which translated is the Christ (the
Anointed One).
Slide 61.
(John 1:42 AMP) Andrew then led (brought) Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him
and said, You are Simon son of John. You shall be called Cephas--which translated is Peter
[Stone].
Slide 62.
(John 1:43 AMP) The next day Jesus desired and decided to go into Galilee; and
He found Philip and said to him, Join Me as My attendant and follow Me.
Slide 63.
(John 1:44 AMP) Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the same city as Andrew
and Peter.
Slide 64.
(John 1:45 AMP) Philip sought and found Nathanael and told him, We have
found (discovered) the One Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote about--Jesus from
Nazareth, the [legal] son of Joseph!
Slide 65.
(John 1:46 AMP) Nathanael answered him, [Nazareth!] Can anything good come
out of Nazareth? Philip replied, Come and see!
Slide 66.
(John 1:47 AMP) Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said concerning
him, See! Here is an Israelite indeed [a true descendant of Jacob], in whom there is no guile
nor deceit nor falsehood nor duplicity!
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The Book Of John
Slide 67.
(John 1:48 AMP) Nathanael said to Jesus, How do You know me? [How is it that
You know these things about me?] Jesus answered him, Before [ever] Philip called you,
when you were still under the fig tree, I saw you.
Slide 68.
(John 1:49 AMP) Nathanael answered, Teacher, You are the Son of God! You are
the King of Israel!
Slide 69.
(John 1:50 AMP) Jesus replied, Because I said to you, I saw you beneath the fig
tree, do you believe in and rely on and trust in Me? You shall see greater things than this!
Slide 70.
(John 1:51 AMP) Then He said to him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you all,
you shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son
of Man! [Gen. 28:12; Dan. 7:13.]
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