New-Testament Survey: Gospel of John. Gospel of John: Its Author (Mark 4:21,22)John was one of Zebedee’s sons, the brother of James. (Mark 4:21,22) James

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)(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)(John 1:35)

• His home was in Jerusalem. (John 19:26,27)(John 19:26,27)

• Included in the inner circle (with Peter and James)

• Was present at the raising of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5:37)(Mark 5:37)

• One of the witnesses of Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17)(Matthew 17)

• “Disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23)(John 13:23)• Closely associated with Peter and his

work (Acts 8:14; Galatians 2:9)(Acts 8:14; Galatians 2:9)


• Also the author of 1,2 and 3 John,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.


• Possessed an ardent temperament; one of the “sons of “sons of thunder” thunder” (Mark 3:17)(Mark 3:17)

• Rebuked a man for casting out demons (Luke 9:49)(Luke 9:49)• Wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village for not

accepting Jesus (Luke 9:51-56)(Luke 9:51-56)• Asked Jesus to grant him and James special places in

the kingdom (Matthew 20:28)(Matthew 20:28)• Place of prominence at the Last Supper (John 13:23)(John 13:23)• Accompanied Christ into the court and stood by Him;

witnessed His death (19:26,27)(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.96 and 98 A.D.

• A fragmentary manuscript of John 18:31-John 18:31-33, 37, 3833, 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.

• 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; 7:21:38, 41; 5:1,2; 4:9; 7:2

• The Gospel’s simplicity gives it a universal appeal—the universal gospel!

Gospel of John:To Whom Written

Gospel of John:Purpose

• John 20:30,31John 20:30,31

• Signs– Manifestation of His powerManifestation of His power

• Belief– The desired effect of the signsThe desired effect of the signs

• Life– Eternal life--the spiritual benefitEternal life--the spiritual benefit

• Meaning and purpose of the miracles

• Seven miracles in John:– Changing water into wine (2:1-11)(2:1-11)

– Healing the nobleman’s son (4:46-54)(4:46-54)

– Healing the impotent man (5:1-18)(5:1-18)

– Feeding the 5,000 (6:1-14)(6:1-14)

– Walking on the water (6:16-21)(6:16-21)

– Healing the blind man (9:1-12)(9:1-12)

– Raising Lazarus (11:1-46)(11:1-46)


• The Divinity of Jesus:

– Pre-existence of Jesus(1:1-14)(1:1-14)

– Testimony of John the Baptist(1:15-36)(1:15-36)

– The miracles already listed


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


• To emphasize what it means to have faith in Christ.– 98 times98 times used to show the type of response

one should have toward Jesus – His name (1:12)(1:12)– Believe on Him (3:16)(3:16)– Believe on Him who has been sent (5:24)(5:24)– Come (6:37)(6:37)– Drink (4:14)(4:14)


• Personal interviews with Jesus:– Nicodemus (3)(3)

– Samaritan woman (4)(4)

– The blind man (9)(9)

– Mary and Martha (11)(11)

– Pharisees (8)(8)

– Disciples (13)(13)

– Pilate (18)(18)


• Emphasized salvation (eternal life) as the objective of faith

– John 3:15-17John 3:15-17– John 3:36John 3:36– John 4:36John 4:36– John 5:24John 5:24– John 5:28,29John 5:28,29– John 5:39,40John 5:39,40– John 6:54John 6:54


Gospel of John:Contents and Character

• Brief outline of the gospel of John:

– Prologue (1:1-18)(1:1-18)

– Jesus’ public ministry (1:19—12:50)(1:19—12:50)

– Jesus’ private ministry (13:1—17:26)(13:1—17:26)

– Jesus’ suffering (18:1—20:31)(18:1—20:31)

– Postscript: the final appeal (21:1-25)(21:1-25)

• Some differences:– Wrote about the week of the Lord’s suffering

in much greater detail.– Feeding of 5,000 (6:1-14)(6:1-14)– Walking on the sea (6:6-21)(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)(chapters 13-19)


• Some differences:– Tells the story from a personal point of view

—”we beheld his glory.” (1:14)—”we beheld his glory.” (1:14)– Includes himself as failing to understand

Jesus at first. (2:22; 12:16)(2:22; 12:16)– The end of Jesus’ speaking and John’s

reflections are difficult to separate. (3:23-26)(3:23-26)– Emphasizes the importance of being an eye-

witness.– He was competent to give his testimony!


• Things described in intimate detail:– Six disciples at the beginning (1)(1)– Six water pots at Cana (2:16)(2:16)– Boy with five loaves and two fishes (6:9)(6:9)– Lazarus’ coming out of the grave (11:44)(11:44)– The weight of the embalming mixture

(9:38-40)(9:38-40)– Careful folding of linen cloths (20:4-8)(20:4-8)


• Emphasized the Fatherhood of God:– Over 100 times in his gospel!

–John 4:23John 4:23–John 5:21John 5:21–John 7:16John 7:16–John 10:29John 10:29–John 14:10John 14:10–John 14:23 John 14:23 –John 17:5,11John 17:5,11


Documents

New-Testament Survey: Gospel of John. Gospel of John: Its Author (Mark 4:21,22)John was one of Zebedee’s sons, the brother of James. (Mark 4:21,22) James