Introduction to John

The Gospel of John illustrates what it looks like when God the Son comes to dwell among His people. John’s Gospel profoundly shows how God’s Son, Jesus, makes it possible for us to have an eternal relationship with God the Father (John 3:16–17).

Background

The text of the Gospel of John identifies its author as a witness of Jesus’ crucifixion (19:35) and as the disciple loved by Jesus (21:20, 24). According to early church tradition, the author is the Apostle John, the son of Zebedee (also called John the Evangelist)—whom the early church fathers also regarded as the author of 1 John. However, the Gospel of John was originally anonymous, and thus it is possible that another church leader, whom the early church called John the elder, is the author or final compiler. Some church fathers thought John the elder might have been the author of 2–3 John, but others ascribed 2–3 John to the Apostle John (see the “Introduction to 2 John”). In addition, Revelation, may be ascribed to the Apostle John, John the Elder, or another John (see the “Introduction to Revelation”).

The Gospel was most likely written ca. ad 85–95, although if John the Elder is its author it could have been written in the early second century ad. The “Rylands Fragment,” a tiny piece of papyrus (about the size of a credit card), contains parts of John 18 in Greek and dates to ad 125–150.

Although John’s Gospel is associated by early church tradition with Ephesus, in modern-day Turkey, it contains details about Jewish customs that reflect firsthand knowledge of Judaea. Based on this content, the original audience likely consisted of Jewish Christians who affirmed Jesus as the God of Israel. The Gospel may have been written to encourage them during a time of opposition (see 9:22; 12:42; 16:2). This may be why John’s Gospel seems to emphasize Jesus’ difficulties with “the Jews.” Jesus Himself and His earliest followers were Jewish, but struggled to find acceptance among their own people group, especially Jewish religious leaders. For this reason, John emphasizes all the ways Jesus fulfills the law (e.g., 12:38; 15:25; 19:24) and highlights the great command to love (13:34–35).

Structure

The Gospel of John stands apart from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in its content, order, wording, and themes. John 1:1–18 serves as a prologue that identifies Jesus as the Word (logos in Greek). Jesus is described as pre-existent—already present at the beginning of the universe—and as being the one through whom creation happened. After the prologue, there is not another significant break until the end of ch. 12. This first major section (1:19–12:50) narrates Jesus’ public ministry, with special emphasis on His activities during various Jewish festivals: Passover (chs. 2; 6; 11–12); an unnamed feast (5:1); Tabernacles (chs. 7–9); and Dedication (ch. 10).

The second major section begins with Jesus’ last meal, prior to His death, with His disciples (ch. 13) and presents a detailed account of what is often called Jesus’ farewell discourse (chs. 14–17). The final section of the Gospel records Jesus’ arrest, trial, death, and resurrection (chs. 18–20). The last chapter (ch. 21)—Jesus appearing to His disciples in Galilee—could function in part, or in entirety, as an appendix.

Outline

• Prologue (1:1–18)

• Jesus’ public ministry (1:19–12:50)

• Jesus’ farewell discourse (13:1–17:26)

• Jesus’ passion, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances (18:1–21:25)

Themes

From the beginning of the Gospel of John to the end, this book shows that Jesus is God in flesh (1:1–3, 14). He has authority and thus is right to call people to abide in His love and share that love with others (e.g., 13:34–35; 15:9–17). Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus uses “I am” phrases, which equate Him with Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament (e.g., 6:35; 8:24; 10:11, 14; 13:19; 15:1; 18:5–9; compare Exod 3:14–16).

Unlike the Synoptic Gospels—which focus on the kingdom of God/heaven—the emphasis of John’s Gospel is the unity of Jesus, God’s Son, with God the Father (John 10:30; 14). On the basis of this, Jesus emphasizes that His followers should be unified with Him and with one another. Jesus also says that the Holy Spirit will come to His followers—God’s eternal presence is with His followers (ch. 15).

Thomas even calls Jesus his Lord—which may indicate that he is calling him Yahweh—and his God (20:28). John emphasizes that the only way to true and eternal relationship with God the Father is through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection (e.g., 3:16–17; 14:16–17; 17:3). And this is the message our world needs to hear today.

Further Reading

The Gospel of John and the Johannine Letters

The Role of Women in John’s Gospel