The Gospel of John is a gospel apart. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic gospels because, despite their individual emphases, they describe many of the same events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. John draws mainly upon events and discourses not found in the other gospels to prove to his readers that Jesus is God in the flesh, the eternal Word come to earth, born to die as God’s sacrifice for human sin. Seven miraculous signs prove that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). No finer gospel tract has ever been penned than John’s inspired account of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. (1.)

About John

• Worked alongside Peter, as noted in Acts
• Was called one of the “pillars” of the mother church in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9)
• Is noted as one of the “three”: Peter, James and John

Observations of John’s Gospel

• Often referred to as both the most theological and cosmopolitan.
• The simplest, in terms of vocabulary and readability, yet the fabric and theological depth is hard to miss:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5)

• The key term: believe (used 98 times)
• John’s Christology (the study of the person and work of Christ) is exceptional

John’s Gospel is so clear and pointed in his Christology that his theology has greatly enriched the church. The text, “the Word became flesh” (1:14), became the central focal point of the early church fathers’ meditation and study. John presented the Incarnation—God manifest in the flesh—as the foundation of the gospel. (2.)

John’s record does not include:

• A genealogy of Jesus
• A record of His birth, baptism
• Temptation account
• Casting out demons
• Parables
• The transfiguration
• The establishment of the Lord’s Supper
• Gethsemane
• Jesus Ascension

John does include, in detail:

• Ministry in Jerusalem
• Israel’s feasts
• One-on-one conversations with individuals
• A closer look with His teachings for His disciples
• What we call “the book of signs”
• The seven “I Am’s”
• High Priestly Prayer

Jesus’ Seven “Signs” in the gospel of John

1. Changing water into wine in Cana (2:1–11)
2. Healing an official’s son in Capernaum (4:46–54)
3. Healing an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (5:1–18)
4. Feeding the 5,000 near the Sea of Galilee (6:5–14)
5. Walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee (6:16–21)
6. Healing a blind man inJerusalem (9:1–7)
7. Raising dead Lazarus in Bethany (11:1–45) (3.)

Outline-Progression:

1. The Prologue 1:1-18–Introducing Who this Jesus is
2. The Book of Signs 1:19 –12:50–Jesus’ Miracles Authenticating Him as God in the Flesh (belief or unbelief)
3. Jesus’ Farewell Instructions 13-17–Preparing His Disciples for His ministry through them
4. Jesus Passion and Resurrection 18-20 –Unbelief results in the crucifixion yet God overrules death with the resurrection.
5. Epilogue 21 –Jesus’ Final encouragement for His followers

Themes

• The road to glory is suffering
• The new birth John 3:16
• Eternal life (John 3:36, John 5:24)
• Clear purpose, perhaps the clearest statement in the Scripture:

“but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

Resources:

1. Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible(Nashville: T. Nelson, 1983), 335
2. Edwin A. Blum, “John,”in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 268.
3. Blum, 269