“The Gospel of John”
Author:
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John the son of Zebedee, one of the 12 apostles.
Earliest sources would validate John’s authorship:
Ignatius of Antioch (110-115); Justin Martyr (150);
Tatian, and Athenagoras. Theophilus of Antioch
(180) and Irenaeus make explicit claims that John
was the author.
Note: Irenaeus got his information from Polycarp
who was a direct disciple of John.
Arguments against John’s authorship are based on
internal criticism: the Christology is too advanced
for the time period…so they say.
Date and Place of writing
• Ephesus A.D. 90 is
the traditional view.
– Modern critics date it
to 180
– John was located in
Ephesus at the latter
portion of his life
(Patmos is off the
coast of Ephesus).
Outline:
 Prologue
(1:1-18)
 The Book of Signs (1:19-12:50)
 The Book of Glory (13:1-20:31)
 Epilogue (21:1-25)
Purpose and
characteristics
John 20:31
In the Beginning was the word
• John focuses on the divine glory of
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Jesus…he is nothing less than God
himself, incarnate in human flesh.
Jesus is emphasized as being deity.
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Jesus embodies life (1:4; 5:21; 6:57; 11:25; 14:6)
Light (1:4; 5, 9; 3:19; 8:12)
Truth (1:14; 14:6; 18:37)
Glory (1:14; 2:11; 11:4; 12:41; 17:5, 24)
Grace (1:14, 17)
He is the word (1:1)
In the Beginning was the word
• Jesus is the personal embodiment
of God as Son.
• Son (1:34, 49; 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:25, 26;
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10:36; 17:1; 19:7)
One and only Son (1:14, 18)
Lord (13:14; 20:28; 21:7)
God (1:1; 5:18; 10:30, 33, 37-39; 14:11;
20:28)
The existing one “I am” (8:57-58)
In the Beginning was the word
• Note also John’s use of the OT in
relation to Jesus
– Isaiah saw Jesus’ Glory and spoke
about him (Jn 12:38-41; Isa 53:1
– See also Jn 12:13; cf Ps 118:25-26
In the Beginning was the word
• The Trinity
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Unity and diversity within the divine
being (Jn 1:18).
The Seven “I am” statements
in John.
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I am the bread of life (6:35-48)
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In the OT “bread of God” is used for the show
bread (Lev. 21:6, 8, 17, 21, 22; 22:25). manna is
called “bread of the mighty” or “bread of the
angels” (Heb Lehem) in Psa 78:25.
No one can come to Jesus unless the Father
“drags” him
This bread delivers someone from eternal death
(6:48-50).
Eat the flesh of Jesus (6:56)
The Seven “I am” statements
in John.
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I am light of the world (8:12)
In the OT God is his people’s light (Ps 27:1); in the
light of His presence they enjoy grace and peace
(Num 6:24-26).
Servant of the Lord is the light to the nations, that
God’s salvation might extend to the whole earth
(Isa 49:6).
The word or law of God is also described as a light
to guide the path of the obedient (Ps 119:105; Prov
6:23).
Jesus embodies all of the OT language related to
being the light.
The Seven “I am” statements
in John.
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I am the Gate for
the Sheep (10:7)
I am the Door is
similar to “I am the
Way” (14:6)
The door to
salvation.
The Seven “I am” statements
in John.
• I am the good shepherd (10:11)
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The Good shepherd shows himself to be a
good shepherd because the welfare of the
sheep, not his own, is his primary care…he
even risks his life to save theirs.
The Seven “I am” statements
in John.
• I am the Resurrection and the Life
(11:25)
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Jesus is authorized by the father to raise the
dead. (Jn 5:21; 24-29; 6:39f).
The Seven “I am” statements
in John.
• I am the way the truth and the Life
(14:6)
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Exclusive?
The Seven “I am” statements
in John.
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I am the True vine (15:1)
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The vine is one of the OT figures used to illustrate
the people of Israel (Ps 80:8-19).
Jesus is presented as true Israel, the genuine vine,
the man of God’s right hand. God is the vine
dresser, the farmer.
If Jesus is the Vine then his disciples are the
branches, deriving their life and fruit-producing
strength from him.
Every branch undergoes pruning.
Jesus as Unique Divine
Messenger
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Jesus comes down to earth from God (3:34; 5:24; 6:38;
8:16, 18, 42; 15;21; 17:18)
The teacher who comes from God (3:2; 13:13-14)
True bread from heaven (6:32-33, 50, 58).
The one who possesses all power (13:3)
The one through whom the Holy Spirit speaks (14:26;
15:26)
The one who conquers the world (16:33)
The Judge who raises all up at the last day (5:22, 27-30;
6:39, 54; 11:25).
His true home is in heaven (16:28).
Jesus’ fulfillment of Israel’s
and all humanity’s Hopes
and Needs.
• Jesus is the Messiah of Israel (1:41; 4:25-26;
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7:41; 10:24-25; 11:27)
King of Israel (1:49; 18:37; 19:19
Lamb of God (1:29, 35)
Son of Man (1:51; 3:13-14; 6:27, 53, 61; 13:31)
Prophet Par Excellence (4:44; 6:14; 7:40; 9:17)
The fulfillment of OT Prophecy (1:45; 5:39,
45-47; 8:56; 12:41; 19:36-37)
Savior of the world (4:42)
One who gives eternal life (8:12)
The word became flesh
• It was Jesus’ humanity that was called into
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question long before his deity.
Gnosticism and Jn 1:14
The Gospel stresses Jesus’ human nature as
well as the divine nature of God (1:45;
Nazareth); asks for a drink of water (4:7)
Only one who was truly human and truly divine
could redeem the world
The principle of Faith
• The main point of John’s gospel is faith in Jesus
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Christ that glorifies God.
Those who believe have everlasting life (3:16)
and will never die (11:26)
Those who do not believe are condemned (3:18)
and they will experience the wrath of God
(3:36).
Notice what Jesus calls people to believe in.
Jesus’ prayer in Jn 17 is for believers.
Other themes in John
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the nature of eternal life
the future resurrection of the dead
The work of the Holy Spirit
The special place of Jesus’ miraculous signs
The personal relation of Jesus to the believer
The love of God
The conflict of the believer with the world
Light, glory, truth and revelation