The Gospel of John - An Overview

Authorship – probably written about 100 C.E. and authorship unknown, variously attributed to John the disciple, John the Presbyter of Ephesus, the Beloved Disciple

Structure – 2 major sections, the Book of Signs (chs. 1-12) and the Book of Glory (chs. 13-20), John does not employ the same geographical, lineal progression of the Synoptic Gospels.

Purpose – All the gospels are written rhetoric intended to proclaim and persuade who Jesus is and why he should be believed in. John wants to encourage belief in his community’s high Christology.

Symbolism and Use of Language – Note how Jesus is compared to such realities as light, water, bread, a shepherd, a vine, and resurrection and life. John makes wide use of irony (Pilot’s posting of the sign on the cross) and double entendre (“born again” with Nicodemus).

Vocabulary – There is considerable dualistic language in the gospel such as light and darkness, and life and death.

Representative Examples of Material Found Only in John

1. Doctrine of the Logos – Before coming to earth, Jesus preexisted with God, where he was God’s mediator in creating the universe (1:1-18), (8:12-59)

2. Miracle at Cana – Jesus changes water into wine (2:1-12)

3. Spiritual Rebirth – Conversation with Nicodemus (3:1-21)

4. Jesus is the water of eternal life – Conversation with Samaritan Woman (4:1-42)

5. Jesus heals the invalid at Jerusalem’s Sheep Pool (5:1-47)

6. “I am” sayings – Jesus speaks as divine Wisdom revealed, equating himself with objects or concepts of symbolic value, such as “the bread of life” (6:22-66), “the good shepherd” (10:1-21), “the resurrection and the life” (11:25), “the way,” “the truth” (14:6), and “the true vine” (15:1-17).

7. Cure of the man born blind – debate between church and synagogue (9:1-41)

8. Resurrection of Lazarus (11:1-12:11)

9. Different tradition of the Last Supper – washing the disciples’ feet (13:1-20) and the farewell discourses; promise of the Holy Spirit that will empoer the disciples and interpret the meaning of Jesus’ life (13:31-17:26)

10. Resurrection appearances in or near Jerusalem – to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas (20:1-29)

11. Resurrection appearances in Galilee – to Peter and the Beloved Disciple (21:1-23)