““The Gospel of John”The Gospel of John”

Author:Author:

– John the son of Zebedee, one of the 12 John the son of Zebedee, one of the 12 apostles. apostles.

– Earliest sources would validate John’s Earliest sources would validate John’s authorship: Ignatius of Antioch (110-115); authorship: Ignatius of Antioch (110-115); Justin Martyr (150); Tatian, and Athenagoras. Justin Martyr (150); Tatian, and Athenagoras. Theophilus of Antioch (180) and Irenaeus make Theophilus of Antioch (180) and Irenaeus make explicit claims that John was the author. explicit claims that John was the author.

– Note: Irenaeus got his information from Note: Irenaeus got his information from Polycarp who was a direct disciple of John. Polycarp who was a direct disciple of John.

– Arguments against John’s authorship are based Arguments against John’s authorship are based on internal criticism: the Christology is too on internal criticism: the Christology is too advanced for the time period…so they say.advanced for the time period…so they say.

Date and Place of writingDate and Place of writing

• Ephesus A.D. 90 is Ephesus A.D. 90 is the traditional view.the traditional view.– Modern critics date it Modern critics date it

to 180to 180– John was located in John was located in

Ephesus at the latter Ephesus at the latter portion of his life portion of his life (Patmos is off the (Patmos is off the coast of Ephesus).coast of Ephesus).

Outline:Outline:

Prologue (1:1-18)Prologue (1:1-18) The Book of Signs (1:19-The Book of Signs (1:19-

12:50)12:50) The Book of Glory (13:1-The Book of Glory (13:1-

20:31)20:31) Epilogue (21:1-25)Epilogue (21:1-25)

Purpose and Purpose and characteristicscharacteristics

John 20:31 John 20:31

In the Beginning was the In the Beginning was the wordword

• John focuses on the divine glory of John focuses on the divine glory of Jesus…he is nothing less than God Jesus…he is nothing less than God himself, incarnate in human flesh. himself, incarnate in human flesh.

• Jesus is emphasized as being deity.Jesus is emphasized as being deity. Jesus embodies life (1:4; 5:21; 6:57; 11:25; Jesus embodies life (1:4; 5:21; 6:57; 11:25;

14:6)14:6) Light (1:4; 5, 9; 3:19; 8:12)Light (1:4; 5, 9; 3:19; 8:12) Truth (1:14; 14:6; 18:37)Truth (1:14; 14:6; 18:37) Glory (1:14; 2:11; 11:4; 12:41; 17:5, 24)Glory (1:14; 2:11; 11:4; 12:41; 17:5, 24) Grace (1:14, 17)Grace (1:14, 17) He is the word (1:1)He is the word (1:1)

In the Beginning was the In the Beginning was the wordword

• Jesus is the personal Jesus is the personal embodiment of God as Son.embodiment of God as Son.

• Son (1:34, 49; 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:25, 26; Son (1:34, 49; 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:25, 26; 10:36; 17:1; 19:7)10:36; 17:1; 19:7)

• One and only Son (1:14, 18)One and only Son (1:14, 18)

• Lord (13:14; 20:28; 21:7)Lord (13:14; 20:28; 21:7)

• God (1:1; 5:18; 10:30, 33, 37-39; God (1:1; 5:18; 10:30, 33, 37-39; 14:11; 20:28)14:11; 20:28)

• The existing one “I am” (8:57-58)The existing one “I am” (8:57-58)

In the Beginning was the In the Beginning was the wordword

• Note also John’s use of the OT Note also John’s use of the OT in relation to Jesusin relation to Jesus

– Isaiah saw Jesus’ Glory and spoke Isaiah saw Jesus’ Glory and spoke about him (Jn 12:38-41; Isa 53:1about him (Jn 12:38-41; Isa 53:1

– See also Jn 12:13; cf Ps 118:25-26 See also Jn 12:13; cf Ps 118:25-26

In the Beginning was the In the Beginning was the wordword

• The TrinityThe Trinity– Unity and diversity within the Unity and diversity within the

divine being (Jn 1:18).divine being (Jn 1:18).

The Seven “I am” The Seven “I am” statements in John.statements in John.

• I am the bread of life (6:35-48) I am the bread of life (6:35-48) – In the OT “bread of God” is used for the show In the OT “bread of God” is used for the show

bread (Lev. 21:6, 8, 17, 21, 22; 22:25). manna bread (Lev. 21:6, 8, 17, 21, 22; 22:25). manna is called “bread of the mighty” or “bread of is called “bread of the mighty” or “bread of the angels” (Heb the angels” (Heb LehemLehem) in Psa 78:25. ) in Psa 78:25.

– No one can come to Jesus unless the Father No one can come to Jesus unless the Father “drags” him “drags” him

– This bread delivers someone from eternal This bread delivers someone from eternal death (6:48-50).death (6:48-50).

– Eat the flesh of Jesus (6:56) Eat the flesh of Jesus (6:56)

The Seven “I am” The Seven “I am” statements in John.statements in John.• I am light of the world (8:12)I am light of the world (8:12)

– In the OT God is his people’s light (Ps 27:1); In the OT God is his people’s light (Ps 27:1); in the light of His presence they enjoy grace in the light of His presence they enjoy grace and peace (Num 6:24-26).and peace (Num 6:24-26).

– Servant of the Lord is the light to the nations, Servant of the Lord is the light to the nations, that God’s salvation might extend to the that God’s salvation might extend to the whole earth (Isa 49:6). whole earth (Isa 49:6).

– The word or law of God is also described as a The word or law of God is also described as a light to guide the path of the obedient (Ps light to guide the path of the obedient (Ps 119:105; Prov 6:23). 119:105; Prov 6:23).

– Jesus embodies all of the OT language Jesus embodies all of the OT language related to being the light.related to being the light.

The Seven “I am” The Seven “I am” statements in John.statements in John.

• I am the Gate I am the Gate for the Sheep for the Sheep (10:7)(10:7)

• I am the Door is I am the Door is similar to “I am similar to “I am the Way” (14:6)the Way” (14:6)

• The door to The door to salvation. salvation.

The Seven “I am” The Seven “I am” statements in John.statements in John.

• I am the good shepherd (10:11)I am the good shepherd (10:11)– The Good shepherd shows himself to The Good shepherd shows himself to

be a good shepherd because the be a good shepherd because the welfare of the sheep, not his own, is welfare of the sheep, not his own, is his primary care…he even risks his life his primary care…he even risks his life to save theirs.to save theirs.

The Seven “I am” The Seven “I am” statements in John.statements in John.

• I am the Resurrection and the Life I am the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)(11:25)

– Jesus is authorized by the father to Jesus is authorized by the father to raise the dead. (Jn 5:21; 24-29; 6:39f).raise the dead. (Jn 5:21; 24-29; 6:39f).

The Seven “I am” The Seven “I am” statements in John.statements in John.

• I am the way the truth and the Life I am the way the truth and the Life (14:6)(14:6)

– Exclusive?Exclusive?

The Seven “I am” The Seven “I am” statements in John.statements in John.

• I am the True vine (15:1)I am the True vine (15:1)– The vine is one of the OT figures used to The vine is one of the OT figures used to

illustrate the people of Israel (Ps 80:8-19).illustrate the people of Israel (Ps 80:8-19).– Jesus is presented as true Israel, the genuine Jesus is presented as true Israel, the genuine

vine, the man of God’s right hand. God is the vine, the man of God’s right hand. God is the vine dresser, the farmer.vine dresser, the farmer.

– If Jesus is the Vine then his disciples are the If Jesus is the Vine then his disciples are the branches, deriving their life and fruit-branches, deriving their life and fruit-producing strength from him.producing strength from him.

– Every branch undergoes pruning.Every branch undergoes pruning.

Jesus as Unique Divine Jesus as Unique Divine MessengerMessenger• Jesus comes down to earth from God (3:34; 5:24; Jesus comes down to earth from God (3:34; 5:24;

6:38; 8:16, 18, 42; 15;21; 17:18)6:38; 8:16, 18, 42; 15;21; 17:18)

• The teacher who comes from God (3:2; 13:13-14)The teacher who comes from God (3:2; 13:13-14)

• True bread from heaven (6:32-33, 50, 58).True bread from heaven (6:32-33, 50, 58).

• The one who possesses all power (13:3)The one who possesses all power (13:3)

• The one through whom the Holy Spirit speaks The one through whom the Holy Spirit speaks (14:26; 15:26)(14:26; 15:26)

• The one who conquers the world (16:33)The one who conquers the world (16:33)

• The Judge who raises all up at the last day (5:22, The Judge who raises all up at the last day (5:22, 27-30; 6:39, 54; 11:25).27-30; 6:39, 54; 11:25).

• His true home is in heaven (16:28).His true home is in heaven (16:28).

Jesus’ fulfillment of Israel’s Jesus’ fulfillment of Israel’s and all humanity’s and all humanity’s Hopes and Needs.Hopes and Needs.• Jesus is the Messiah of Israel (1:41; 4:25-26; Jesus is the Messiah of Israel (1:41; 4:25-26;

7:41; 10:24-25; 11:27)7:41; 10:24-25; 11:27)• King of Israel (1:49; 18:37; 19:19King of Israel (1:49; 18:37; 19:19• Lamb of God (1:29, 35)Lamb of God (1:29, 35)• Son of Man (1:51; 3:13-14; 6:27, 53, 61; 13:31)Son of Man (1:51; 3:13-14; 6:27, 53, 61; 13:31)• Prophet Par Excellence (4:44; 6:14; 7:40; 9:17)Prophet Par Excellence (4:44; 6:14; 7:40; 9:17)• The fulfillment of OT Prophecy (1:45; 5:39, 45-The fulfillment of OT Prophecy (1:45; 5:39, 45-

47; 8:56; 12:41; 19:36-37)47; 8:56; 12:41; 19:36-37)• Savior of the world (4:42)Savior of the world (4:42)• One who gives eternal life (8:12)One who gives eternal life (8:12)

The word became fleshThe word became flesh

• It was Jesus’ humanity that was called It was Jesus’ humanity that was called into question long before his deity. into question long before his deity.

• Gnosticism and Jn 1:14Gnosticism and Jn 1:14

• The Gospel stresses Jesus’ human nature The Gospel stresses Jesus’ human nature as well as the divine nature of God (1:45; as well as the divine nature of God (1:45; Nazareth); asks for a drink of water (4:7)Nazareth); asks for a drink of water (4:7)

• Only one who was truly human and truly Only one who was truly human and truly divine could redeem the world divine could redeem the world

The principle of FaithThe principle of Faith

• The main point of John’s gospel is faith in The main point of John’s gospel is faith in Jesus Christ that glorifies God.Jesus Christ that glorifies God.

• Those who believe have everlasting life Those who believe have everlasting life (3:16) and will never die (11:26)(3:16) and will never die (11:26)

• Those who do not believe are condemned Those who do not believe are condemned (3:18) and they will experience the wrath (3:18) and they will experience the wrath of God (3:36).of God (3:36).

• Notice what Jesus calls people to believe Notice what Jesus calls people to believe in.in.

• Jesus’ prayer in Jn 17 is for believers.Jesus’ prayer in Jn 17 is for believers.

Other themes in JohnOther themes in John

the nature of eternal lifethe nature of eternal life the future resurrection of the deadthe future resurrection of the dead The work of the Holy SpiritThe work of the Holy Spirit The special place of Jesus’ miraculous signsThe special place of Jesus’ miraculous signs The personal relation of Jesus to the believerThe personal relation of Jesus to the believer The love of GodThe love of God The conflict of the believer with the worldThe conflict of the believer with the world Light, glory, truth and revelationLight, glory, truth and revelation