OVERVIEW OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
Author: John 21:20-24 describes the author of the gospel of John as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," and for both historical and internal reasons this is understood to be John the Apostle (Luke 5:10).
Date of Writing: Discovery of certain papyrus fragments dated around A.D. 135 require the gospel of John to have been written, copied, and circulated before then. Based upon this, the vast majority of Bible scholars believe it was written between A.D. 85-90.
Purpose of Writing: The author, John, cites the purpose of the gospel as follows: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31). Unlike the three Synoptic Gospels, John's purpose is not to present a chronological narrative of the life of Christ but to display His deity. While John sought to strengthen the faith of second-generation believers and bring about faith in others, he also sought to correct the false teaching that was spreading in the first century. John emphasized Jesus Christ as "the Son of God," fully God and fully man, contrary to a false doctrine that taught the "Christ-spirit" came upon the human Jesus at His baptism and left Him at the crucifixion.
Brief Summary: The gospel of John includes only seven miracles-John calls them "signs"-to demonstrate the deity of Christ and illustrate His ministry. Some of these miracles and stories, such as the raising of Lazarus, are found only in John. His is the most theological of the four Gospels, and he often gives the reason behind events mentioned in the other gospels. The gospel of John shares much about the approaching ministry of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension.
Of significance is the fact that John's gospel introduces Jesus Christ, not from His birth, but from "the beginning," before creation. John calls Jesus "the Word" (Logos) who, as God Himself, was involved in every aspect of creation (John 1:1-3) and who later became flesh (v. 14) in order that He might take away our sins as the spotless Lamb of God (v. 29). The gospel of John includes several spiritual conversations, such as Jesus' talk with the Samaritan woman that shows Him as the Messiah (John 4:26) and Jesus' meeting with Nicodemus that explains salvation through His vicarious death on the cross (John 3:14-16). In the gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly angers the Jewish leaders by correcting them (John 2:13-16); healing on the Sabbath, and claiming traits belonging only to God Himself (John 5:18; 8:56-59; 9:6, 16; 10:33).
The final nine chapters of the gospel of John (which are not covered in this study) deal with the final week of Jesus' life. Jesus prepares His disciples for His coming death and for their ministry after His resurrection and ascension (John 14-17). He then willingly dies on the cross in our place (John 10:15-18), paying our sin debt in full (John 19:30) so that whoever trusts in Him will be saved (John 3:14-16). Jesus then rises from the dead, convincing even the most doubting of His disciples that He is God and Master (John 20:24-29).
Practical Application: The gospel of John continues to fulfill its purpose of evangelizing the lost (John 3:16 is likely the best-known Bible verse) and is often used in evangelistic Bible studies. In the recorded encounters between Jesus and Nicodemus and the woman at the well (chapters 3-4), we learn much from Jesus' model of personal evangelism. His comforting words to His disciples before His death (John 14:1-6, 16; 16:33) are still of great comfort in sorrowful times. Jesus' "high priestly prayer" for believers in chapter 17 is also a wonderful source of encouragement for believers. John's teachings concerning the deity of Christ (John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22-23; 8:58; 14:8-9; 20:28) are helpful in apologetics and provide a clear revelation of who Jesus is: fully God and fully man.
