The Gospel of John

Placement in the Holy Bible:

• Fourth book of the New Testament

Author:

• Traditionally attributed to John, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, known as the “beloved disciple.”

Intended Audience:

• All of humanity, especially those seeking to understand Jesus’ divinity and truth.

Purpose:

• To present the divinity of Jesus and the message of eternal life.
• To provide evidence that Jesus is the Son of God and to inspire faith in believers.

Key Themes:

• Divinity of Jesus: John’s Gospel portrays Jesus as the Son of God, emphasising His divine nature.
• Eternal Life: It highlights the offer of eternal life through Jesus and the importance of faith.
• Love and Relationship: Focuses on the love of Jesus and the depth of a personal relationship with Him.

Major Sections:

1. Spiritual Opening (Chapter 1): Introduces Jesus as the “Light of the World” and the embodiment of truth, revealing His divine nature.
2. Miracles and Teachings (Chapters 2-12): Showcases various miracles and teachings, such as turning water into wine and significant sermons.
3. Journey and Disputes (Chapters 13-17): Covers Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem, His conversations with His disciples, and His last teachings.
4. Passion and Resurrection (Chapters 18-21): Details Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and His appearances to the disciples after His resurrection.

Structure:

1. Chapter 1: The divine nature of Jesus and the beginning of His works.
2. Chapters 2-12: Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and various aspects of His ministry.
3. Chapters 13-17: The final teachings, Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem, and His conversations with the disciples.
4. Chapters 18-21: Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and His final encounters with the disciples.

Characteristics:

• Spiritual Depth: John’s Gospel is more spiritual and philosophical compared to the other Gospels, offering profound spiritual insights.
• Love and Relationship: It places special emphasis on the love of Jesus and personal relationships, encouraging believers to deepen their connection with Him.
• Gospel’s Style: Contains concise yet profound dialogues and teachings, clarifying the divinity and love of Jesus.