John Introduction
Introduction
The Gospel according to St. John, the fourth Gospel, opens with a prologue (1.1-18) which introduces the “eternal word of God,” present with God at the beginning of creation. This “word” (logos in Greek), John says, is Jesus the Christ who “was made flesh, and dwelt among us … full of grace and truth” (1.14). This profoundly theological prologue signals readers that this fourth Gospel will take a unique approach in relating the purpose and ministry of Jesus. All throughout the book, the author seeks to show the eternal significance of Jesus, and to contrast the “light” Jesus brings from the heavenly realm with the “darkness” of the world he has come to save from the power of sin and death.
In the book's mid-section there is a series of seven “I am” sayings that reveal important dimensions of Jesus' significance, for example, “I am the light of the world” in 8.12 (for the others, see 6.35; 10.7,11; 11.25; 14.6; 15.1). John also reports seven “miracles” or signs worked by Jesus, for example, changing water into wine in 2.11. Each of these signs points to Jesus' glory. But for the author of John the greatest sign and glory is Jesus lifted up on the cross for the salvation of all the world's people (12.32,33).
A late second century tradition claimed Ephesus as this Gospel's place of origin, but this is difficult to confirm. Textual evidence, however, suggests it was written in the final decade of the first century. Although the unnamed author was anciently thought to be Jesus' disciple John, the son of Zebedee, this was questioned by Origen and others as early as the third century. More likely, it was written by disciples of John living in a community he founded.
Outline
Jesus the Eternal Word of God (1.1-51)
Jesus' Seven Miracles (Signs) (2.1—11.44)
Jesus' Final Days (11.45—19.42)
The Risen Jesus Appears to His Followers (20.1—21.25)
Currently Selected:
John Introduction: KJVAAE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.
John Introduction
Introduction
John was a disciple of Jesus. At the end of his book John tells why he wrote the story of Jesus. “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you believe this, you will have life because you belong to him.”
John begins the book by using the words from the Bible’s story of creation. These words are “In the beginning.” By using these words John shows us that Jesus’ story is about a new creation. The first story of creation takes place in seven days. So John uses the number seven in his new creation story too. In the Bible the number seven means that God has finished his work. Then we can see what God wants.
Seven times John shows Jesus using the words “I am” for himself. In the Old Testament God used those words to say who he was. John also shows Jesus performing seven mighty signs. All of this was to help people believe in Jesus.
John tells the story of Jesus’ life in two parts. The first part tells about Jesus’ teachings and mighty acts. John does this to make clear that Jesus really is the promised king of Israel. The second part tells about Jesus’ teaching during the last week of his life. And it tells about Jesus’ death and resurrection. When Jesus was raised from the dead, John uses the words “On the first day of the week.” This shows that it was the first day of the new creation.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.