Revised by Karoline M. Lewis (8/24)
SUMMARY
The Gospel of John begins by announcing that God’s Word, which brought all things into being, became flesh in JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God’s saving act for humanity. of Nazareth. During his ministry, Jesus reveals the power of God by performing seven miraculous signs, including turning water into wine, healing the sick, and raising the dead. In his preaching he identifies himself as the bread of life, the light of the world, and the good shepherd. Through his crucifixion, Jesus lays down his life, giving God’s love to the world. By rising from the dead and through his ascension to the Father he shows that those who believe in him have everlasting life.
SO WHAT?
John’s Gospel presents readers with a portrait of Jesus that is at once engaging and profound. By identifying Jesus as the light of the world and good shepherd, the Gospel gives readers accessible ways to begin thinking about who Jesus is, while inviting them to go deeper, so that readers continue growing in their understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to be in relationship with God through him. The purpose of the Gospel is that people might believe , and to believe means to be in a relationship of trust in God and Jesus Christ. People were created for relationship with God, and as the Gospel tells the story of Jesus in compelling ways it helps to bring people into that relationship, which is true life.
WHERE DO I FIND IT?
The Gospel according to John is the fourth book in the New Testament.
WHO WROTE IT?
John’s Gospel is based on the testimony of “the discipleA disciple is a person who accepts and follows the pronouncements of a teacher. Jesus chose twelve disciples (also called “apostles” in some of the Gospels) to follow him and bear witness to his message Anyone who (like them) follows Jesus is engaged in Christian… whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20-25). The Gospel does not identify this disciple by name. Many early Christian writers thought he was John the son of Zebedee, although many recent scholars conclude that the beloved disciple’s identity remains unknown.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?
Although John is traditionally said to have been the last Gospel completed, it is probably not much later than MatthewA tax collector who became one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. and LukeThe "beloved physician" and companion of Paul., around 75-85 CE.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
John’s Gospel was written that people might come to believe or be encouraged in their faith that Jesus is the MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified… and Son of God, who gives people the gift of eternal life through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. (John 20:30-31).
HOW DO I READ IT?
John’s Gospel begins with a poetic introduction that places the story of Jesus within the wider cosmic story of the Word of God. A word is a form of communication, and as John tells the story it stresses ways in which God speaks to the world through Jesus. Readers will find that Jesus communicates the will of God and reveals who God is by the words he speaks, by the miracles he performs, by the death he dies in love for others, by rising to life, and by his return to the Father with the ascension. The gospel story takes place on the earth, but at its heart is the way God is made known to the people of the world.
