THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN

SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Author: The apostle John
Date written: Approximately A.D. 85-90
OT quotes: Approximately 30
Time period: From "In the beginning" to just prior to Jesus ascending to be with His Father
For/to: /////
Where: Probably written at Ephesus
Why written: To record Jesus’ signs (20:30,31), so readers would believe in Jesus (20:31)
Statistics: 21 chapters; 878 verses; 19,099 words

The author. John was one of the sons of Zebedee. Salome, his mother, was very devoted to the Lord. He may have been the most beloved of all the apostles by the Lord. He speaks of himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was one of the three (John, James, and Peter) chosen to be with the Lord in the transfiguration. John again was included in the three when Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. He wrote five books of the New Testament. The canon of Scripture that began over 1500 years earlier would be brought to a close with the Revelation, which John also wrote.

He may have been the only apostle of the original twelve that died a natural death.

About this Gospel. Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s Gospel are similar in some respects. John’s Gospel, however, appears to add information that is omitted in the other three. Approximately 784 verses cover material that is not presented in the first three Gospels, while approximately 94 verses are covered in part or by subject. Much of the information contained in the first three Gospels is not repeated in John’s Gospel. It has been said that John’s Gospel may be the simplest and easiest to read. It is an excellent place for a new convert to begin reading the Bible. John mentions at least three Passovers (John 2:23; 6:4; 13:1). There may have been a fourth (John 5:17). Israel had rejected Jesus. By the time this Gospel was written, the Roman army had come and burned the city. False doctrines had set in. Judaism no longer seems to be in view. The Holy Spirit is revealed in John’s Gospel.

Emphasis seems to be on showing the full deity of Jesus. Jesus is revealed as the Word that was made flesh in chapter one. Near the end of the Gospel in John 20:28, Thomas said, "My Lord and my God." Jesus is clearly presented as the Christ (or Messiah), the Son of God through many miracles. He used the term "I am" in this Gospel several times. Here are some examples: John 6:35-I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. John 6:48-I AM THAT BREAD OF LIFE. John 6:51-I AM THE LIVING BREAD WHICH CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN. John 8:12; 9:5. I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. John 10:7. I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP. John 10:9-I AM THE DOOR. John 10:11, 14. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. John 10:36. I SAID, I AM THE SON OF GOD? John 11:25-I AM THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE. John 12:46. I AM COME A LIGHT INTO THE WORLD. John 13:13-YE CALL ME MASTER AND LORD: AND YE SAY WELL; FOR SO I AM. John 14:6-I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. John 14:10, 11-…I AM IN THE FATHER, AND THE FATHER IN ME? JOHN. John 14:20…I AM IN MY FATHER. John 15:1-I AM THE TRUE VINE. John 15:5-I AM THE VINE. John 17:14,16-…I AM NOT OF THE WORLD. John 8:58-59-BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM. THEN TOOK THEY UP STONES TO CAST AT HIM. Jesus is revealed as the true God and eternal life.

John 20:30, 31 clearly states why this Gospel was written. AND MANY OTHER (miraculous) SIGNS TRULY DID JESUS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK: BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT (YOU) MIGHT BELIEVE (or trust) THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST (or Messiah), THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT BELIEVING (or by this trust) (YOU) MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME (or because of Who He is-JNT). Soul winning or evangelism can be said to be the heartbeat of this Gospel.