The Gospel of John

“In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.”

Historical Background – First Century AD Palestine was under Roman rule (occupation)

Roman legions (troops) maintained control Roman emperors saw themselves as “divine”

“son of God”

Caesar Augustus was emperor at the time of Jesus’ birth Period of the Pax Romana- Roman Peace

The Emperor Tiberius ruled during Jesus’ ministry Roman governors (such as Pilate) were sent to oversee the

provinces Rome used local rulers to help rule

example: King Herod was ruler of Palestine

Caesar Augustus

The base of statue includes the image of the Greek god Cupid riding a dolphin. This expresses Augustus’ supposed ancestry to the goddess Venus (Cupid's mother) by way of his adopted father Julius Caesar.

Temple in Jerusalem- 1st Century

Historical Background Rome often allowed people in

conquered regions to maintain their traditional religion and culture As long as it did not conflict with Rome

Example: Jewish Passover in Jerusalem Rome also granted Roman citizenship

to some who lived under Roman rule Example: Paul was a Roman citizen

Historical Background The Jews in Palestine resented Roman

“occupation” and rule and sought to change the political status of Israel- Many Jews wanted to reestablish a Kingdom

of Israel under the leadership of a Messiah – king (like David)

Messiah (Hebrew) means “anointed one” Christ is Greek for Messiah

Palestine was politically volatile Rome was very concerned about Jewish

uprisings and rebellions Fear of losing control Fear of violence

Example: Pilate went in Jerusalem during the period of Passover to make sure there were no uprisings or problems in the city

In AD 70 Rome put down a Jewish rebellion in Palestine (specifically - Jerusalem)

Thousands of Jews were killed The Temple in Jerusalem was

destroyed

The Arch of Titus (Titus was the Roman general who led the siege of Jerusalem ) was erected in Rome to commemorate the victory

Rome and the Destruction of the Temple

The Roman historian, Josephus, claimed that more than 1 million Jews died as a result of Rome’s brutal crackdown.

 Roman troops burned and sacked the Temple in Jerusalem. The Arch of Titus in Rome has a frieze showing the menorah and silver trumpets from the Temple being paraded into the city.

Jewish prisoners were paraded through the streets of Rome and strangled at the Forum.

The Roman troops also raised a standard with the image of a pig on the ruins of the Temple in Jerusalem

Thousands of Jews fled Palestine to other regions of the Roman world This is known as the diaspora Judaism and Christianity continued to

spread as a result

Languages of the period Greek was the universal language of the

region New Testament was written in Greek

Jews often spoke many languages Hebrew Aramaic Greek Latin

Gospel – Good News

The synoptic (seeing together) gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke Each of the three synoptic gospels tell the story

of Jesus’ life and ministry 90% of Mark’s gospel is contained in

Matthew 53% of Mark is found in Luke The gospel writers do NOT appear to be overly

concerned with exact chronology

The Gospel Writers Matthew- one of Jesus’ original 12 disciples

– tax collector- Jew who worked for the government The early church fathers all agreed that

Matthew, one of the 12 disciples, was the author

Purpose: show that Jesus was the Messiah who fulfilled the OT prophecies

Mark- Mark was not one of the original 12 disciples The gospel is possibly written on behalf of Peter The early church agreed that John Mark was

the author Mark may be the first gospel to be written

may have been written in Rome during the persecution of the church under Nero

Luke – Greek doctor - well educated not one of the original 12 disciples Companion of Paul on his missionary journeys Luke also wrote the book of Acts The author’s name is NOT mentioned in the book Luke’s account reflects a careful attention to

eyewitness testimony (Luke 1:1-4)

John’s gospel is NOT a synoptic gospel

John’s Gospel Many scholars believe that John’s gospel was

written late in the first century @ 80-90 AD

John appears to have been written to supplement and compliment the other three gospels- 90 % new material

It is more theological and explanatory It also appears to be written to a non-Jewish

audience – many things are explained

Author

John 21:24 “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.”

The author is never directly named

The author identifies himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved.”

Early Church tradition is in agreement that John (the disciple) is the author

Polycarp- early 2nd century (100’s AD) Clement of Alexandria- 2nd century (100’s AD) Eusebius- Roman historian

General Characteristics of John’s Gospel

The gospel of John is NOT a narrative (the story) of Jesus’ life and ministry

90% is new information does not appear in the other three gospels

John is more theological (doctrine) significant amount of teaching on the

Holy Spirit (chapters 13-16) John seeks to affirm and explain who

Jesus is and what his ministry and teaching mean to the world

John’s statement of purposeThe Gospel of John is the only gospel

with a clear statement of purposeJohn 20:30-31

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John’s Purpose (His Objective) Affirm that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah

foretold in the prophecies of the Old Testament) “Son of God”

Affirm that new life (salvation) is through faith in Christ and what he has done for us. “I am the way, the truth, and the life….” …You must be born again (from above)…”

How does John accomplish his purpose?

7 miraculous signs – John 1-11 “I am” statements-

both metaphorical and emphatic (there are over 50)

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and the fulfillment of the old covenant

Tremendous attention to Jesus’ last week Death and Resurrection

Organization of John’s Gospel Part I: John 1-11

The ministry of Jesus to the broader community of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria

Jesus’ divinity- “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling

(“tabernacled”) among us.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament (Messianic) prophecies

Miraculous “signs” (7) John 1-11 pointing to the power and authority of

Jesus “I am” statements-

both emphatic and metaphorical Clear declarations attesting to Jesus

being the Messiah and to his divinity

Jesus withdraws from public ministry after the raising of Lazarus – end of chapter 11

Part II : John 12-21 Last week of Jesus’ life Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem

To fulfill the prophecies- “king of the Jews” Jesus’ ministry to his closest friends and

disciples- both men and women The last supper and final teachings to his disciples The betrayal of Judas

Jesus’ arrest, trials, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection

Major Themes in John’s Gospel Jesus is the Christ (Messiah in the Hebrew) -

God’s anointed one – “king” “Son of God”

Jesus has come to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and the old covenant – “The law was given through Moses, grace and

truth have come through Jesus Christ.” “Moses wrote of me…”

The nature of salvation and discipleship

“I am the way, the truth, and the life…..”

Salvation is through Christ alone “…. no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Salvation is through the sacrifice of Christ “ I lay down my life for my sheep…”

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Purpose statement John 20: 30-31 Faith in Christ brings new life

Salvation is a new birth in Christ “born again” or born from above “For God so love the world…..” John

3:16-17 He did not come to “condemn the

world but to save the world…”

Discipleship – Followers of Christ One’s new life IN Christ-

“I am the vine and you are the branches.”

“fruit” of one’s new life- -peace, patience, kindness, love, joy,

humility, etc.

The disciple’s life is marked first and foremost by LOVE Love for God and love for others Love for God leads to a life of obedience to

his commands “If you love me you will keep my

commands.” A life of service to others- example of Jesus

washing the feet of his disciples

Key Vocabulary in John’s Gospel Truth “I tell you the truth”

“I am the truth…..” Signs- miraculous signs Kingdom (Kingdom of God) Believe (faith and trust) Life Light Messiah (Christ)- anointed one Covenant- Old and New

Resources

The NIV Study Bible

John McArthur’s Study of John

John Stott