The Gospel of John

1st page of John in Lindisfarne Gospels, c. AD 715.
Latin: “In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum…”
(“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God…”).
“Johannes Aquila” in the upper right

The Synoptic Gospels tell us what Jesus said and did, but John tells us WHO JESUS IS

the most theological of all the gospels (revealing Jesus as Yahweh Himself)
clear apologetic for divine inspiration - no un-aided mortal man could have written this book
for myself and many others, the most amazing and wonderful book ever written

Author and Audience and Date

Who was John?

Son of Zebedee, brother of James, one of the “sons of thunder”
- who sought the place of highest honor in the Kingdom (seated at Jesus’ left and right)
- who wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy Samaritans who didn’t receive Jesus
Only gospel writer who identifies himself, but not by name: the “disciple whom Jesus loved”
also wrote the 3 letters of John, and the Revelation
Clearly stated purpose of his gospel, which runs throughout:

these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (20:31)

Why would John identify himself this way?

Audience and Date

John had the other 3 gospels in hand, and wrote this gospel quite a few years later
Date uncertain, but probably c. AD 80
John notes that the Pilate’s accusation is written in “Hebrew, Latin and Greek” - a nod to Matthew, Mark and Luke
John intentionally writes to to conclude, and be the capstone of the “four-fold gospel”

The Four Living Creatures in Revelation

“the first living creature like a Lion,
the second living creature like an Ox,
the third living creature with the face of Man,
and the fourth living creature like an Eagle in flight” (Rev 4.7)

written to all Christians, and through them to all the world, to reveal Jesus as the Son of God
John intended the widest circulation
“that you may believe…and that believing you may have life in His name”

Structure

The Prologue (1.1-18)

Chiastic Structure

[A] The Word with God (1:1–2)
- [B] Word as Creator (1:3)
  - [C] Life and Light (1:4–5)
    - [D] John’s witness (1:6–8)
      - [E] Light enters the world (1:9–10)
        
        [F] Rejected by His own * The Children of God (1:11–13)
      - [E]’ Word became flesh (1:14)
    - [D]’ John’s witness repeated (1:15)
  - [C]’ Grace and Truth (1:16)
- [B]’ Revelation through Christ (1:17)
[A]’ The Son reveals God (1:18)

Outline

Observe also the poetic triplets, following Hebrew poetry
This Poetic Prologue introduces all of John’s themes
These are then woven like golden threads in a tapestry throughout the book.
Structure is simple, but also profound and intricate.
Focuses on Jesus in Jerusalem, around the 7 Feasts

The simple 2 part structure is defined by the center of the chiasm:

Part 1 (1.19-10.42) - “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.” (1:11)
Part 2 (13.1-20.31) - “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (1:12)
- “Upper Room discourses” (chapters 13-17)

Transition from Part 1 to Part 2 is the raising of Lazarus (11.1-12.50)

In 11:45–54 the opposition to Jesus increases dramatically. From this point on, “the Jewish leaders made plans to put Him to death”… Thus, Jesus “no longer walked openly among the Jews…” (11:51-54).

The Seven Feasts

The Synoptic gospels cover a lot of action north, in and around Galilee.
In contrast, John describes more action south in Judea, in and around Jerusalem, centered around the Feasts of the Jews

1st Passover (2:23) - refers back to the Exodus when the Lord’s angel passed over the Jews because of the blood of the Lamb.
Purim (5:1,17) - connected to Queen Esther (Esther 9:20-32 NASB95) and God’s deliverance of the Jews from their enemies. Jesus reveals this powerful truth in verse 17: “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
2nd Passover (6:4) - again connects Jesus with our Passover Lamb and our redemption from sins. John emphasizes the unleavened bread of Passover and that Jesus is our Living Bread.
Tabernacles (7:2) - commemorated the 40 years that Israel wandered in the wilderness as punishment for their sins, reminding Israel that God had kept His promises and brought them safely into the Promised Land.
“The Great Day” (7:37) - celebrated the eighth day, after Tabernacles (Lev. 23:36 NASB95) as a special assembly of offering food to the Lord. Many people would be gathered in the Temple courts. Jesus gives the gospel in 3 words: Thirst. Come. Drink.
Dedication (10:22) aka “Hanukkah” or the “Festival of Lights” - commemorates the Maccabees recapturing of the Temple from Antiochus Epiphanes, and referring to the time when the daily Menorah oil burned for 8 days.
3rd Passover (11:55) - shows that Jesus’ public ministry lasted 3 years. This is the beginning of the last seven days of Jesus life, called “Passion Week.” Our Passover Lamb is now headed to the cross.

Themes and Threads

Fulfillment in Jesus

John doesn’t cite the Old Testament like Matthew does “this happened in order to fulfill…”
Instead he shows the fulfillments in a more intrinsic and essential way

Some examples:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (1:1-3)

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים יְהִ֣י א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־אֽוֹר

And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us, and we saw His glory (1:14)

and more…!

Signs and Substance

John doesn’t use the word δύναμις (miracle) as the Synoptic gospels do
Instead he uses the word σημεῖον (sign)
Signs point to something. They SIGN-nify something else.
Imagine driving to Lake Tahoe, and stopping to marvel at the “100 miles to go” sign before you get there…

Some examples:

The 1st sign: Changing the water to wine at the wedding in Cana (chapter 2)
The 2nd sign: Healing the nobleman’s son (John 4.46-54 NASB95)
Raising Lazarus from the dead (chapter 11)

and more…!

What do these signify?

It was commonly believed among the Jews that the spirit hovered over a dead person for 3 days, and there was some hope that he might revive.

The Word of the Father

The Eternal Intimacy of the Father and the Son

No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. (1:18)

If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (14:7)

“Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. (17:5)

The 7 “I AM” statements

Hearkens directly back to Exodus 3 where God reveals His covenant name YHWH to Moses

“I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know of their sufferings. “So I have come down to deliver them (Exodus 3:7-8 NASB95)

His faithful covenant love is bound up in His very name
These 7 statements are metaphorical, revealing the true nature of Jesus.
Each statement is followed by a blessing and benefit for those who are in Christ.

I AM the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever (6.35,48,51)
I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (8.12, 9.5)
I AM the door of the sheep. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (10.7,9)
I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I know my own and my own know me… (10:11,14)
I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (11:25-26)
I AM the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (14.6)
I AM the true vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (15.1,5)