Gospels · New Testament
John
c. AD 27–30
- Section
- Gospels · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 27–30
- Written
- c. AD 85–95 critical view: c. AD 90–110
- Author
- John the apostle critical view: The Johannine community / anonymous, c. AD 90–100
John's Gospel is the most theological, presenting Jesus as the eternal Word made flesh and the Son of God. Built around seven signs and seven “I am” sayings, it was written “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Key themes
- Jesus the Word made flesh
- The seven signs
- The "I am" sayings
- Belief and eternal life
- Love one another
Key events
The Word & the Signs (John 1–12)
- "In the beginning was the Word" — Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh, announced by John the Baptist
- Jesus turns water into wine at Cana, the first of his signs
- Jesus tells Nicodemus, "ye must be born again"
- Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well and offers living water
- Jesus feeds the five thousand and declares, "I am the bread of life"
- Jesus heals a man born blind, exposing the blindness of the Pharisees
- "I am the good shepherd" — Jesus lays down his life for the sheep
- Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, his greatest sign
The Upper Room, the Cross & the Resurrection (John 13–21)
- Jesus washes the disciples' feet and gives a new commandment to love one another
- "I am the way, the truth, and the life" — Jesus comforts them and promises the Spirit
- Jesus prays for his disciples and all who will believe (the High Priestly Prayer)
- Jesus is arrested, tried before Pilate, and crucified: "It is finished"
- Jesus rises and appears to Mary, the disciples, and doubting Thomas
- Jesus restores Peter by the Sea of Galilee: "Feed my sheep"
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”