The Gospel of John is one of the four biblical accounts detailing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. John’s gospel presents a unique portrait of Jesus, emphasizing his divine identity and mission to reveal God to the world.
This gospel contains many famous stories and sayings of Jesus that communicate profound truths. By exploring John’s account, we gain insight into who Jesus is and what it means to follow him.
Overview of the Gospel
John structures his gospel around Jesus’ signs, discourses, and controversies. The book can be outlined as follows:
- Prologue (1:1-18)
- Jesus’ signs, discourses, and controversies (1:19-12:50)
- Jesus’ final night and farewell discourse (13-17)
- The passion narrative (18-19)
- Epilogue (20-21)
The prologue introduces key themes about Jesus’ divine identity. The first half focuses on Jesus’ public ministry, organized around seven miraculous signs. The second half spotlights Jesus’ private teachings to his disciples on his final night. The passion narrative covers Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. The epilogue depicts Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances.
The Prologue: The Divine Word Made Flesh
John opens with a poetic prologue describing Jesus as the divine Word through whom the universe was created. This Word took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. The prologue introduces the key themes of Jesus’ divine glory, his incarnation, and his mission to make God known.
John calls Jesus “the only begotten Son” who comes from the Father, making Jesus’ divine sonship central (John 1:14, 18). Jesus reveals the invisible God, making him supreme over Moses and the law (John 1:17-18). John the Baptist witnesses to Christ’s preeminence as the Christ (John 1:19-34).
Signs, Discourses, and Controversies in Jesus’ Public Ministry
The first half of John’s gospel focuses on Jesus’ public ministry in Judea and Galilee. Jesus performs seven miraculous signs accompanied by discourses that provoke controversy from Jewish leaders.
Key stories unique to John include Jesus turning water to wine (John 2:1-12), his conversation with Nicodemus on being born again (John 3:1-21), his discourse on living water with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42), and the healing of the man born blind (John 9:1-41).
The seventh sign, the raising of Lazarus, prompts the Sanhedrin to plot Jesus’ death (John 11:1-57). These signs and discourses reinforce Jesus’ divine identity and work.
Jesus’ Final Night: Farewell Discourse
John 13-17 records Jesus’ intimate last teachings to his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. This farewell discourse includes the famous scene of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, instituting the Lord’s Supper, giving the new commandment to “love one another,” and describing himself as the true vine (John 13-15).
Jesus promises the coming Holy Spirit who will continue his work in the world and empower the disciples for ministry (John 14-16). He prays for the protection and unity of his followers (John 17).
The Passion Narrative: Jesus’ Trial, Death, and Resurrection
John’s account of Jesus’ suffering and death highlights his authority, glory, and decisiveness throughout the events.
At his arrest, Jesus declares “I am” and the soldiers fall down, evidencing his power (John 18:1-12). Jesus maintains authority during his trials, culminating in Pilate pronouncing him innocent (John 18:28-19:16).
Even on the cross, Jesus knowingly fulfills Scripture, committing his mother Mary to John’s care (John 19:17-27). His final statements “I thirst” and “it is finished” show his purposeful submission (John 19:28-30).
After his resurrection, Jesus commissions his disciples and bestows the Holy Spirit upon them (John 20:19-23). The climactic confession of faith comes through Thomas who declares Jesus as Lord and God (John 20:24-29).
The Epilogue: Jesus and the Beloved Disciple
John’s epilogue focuses on Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances in Galilee. It centers on conversations with Simon Peter and the unnamed “disciple whom Jesus loved” (likely John).
Jesus tells Peter he will die a martyr’s death, contrasting Peter’s future with the Beloved Disciple’s long life of testimony culminating in this gospel account (John 21:15-24). The gospel concludes by stating its purpose – that readers may believe Jesus is the Christ and have eternal life in his name (John 20:30-31).
Major Themes in John’s Gospel
- Jesus as the divine Word made flesh who reveals God to humanity
- Jesus as the Son sent by the Father to give eternal life
- Belief in Jesus as the way to obtain eternal life
- Jesus’ miracles as signs pointing to his true identity
- Love and unity between Jesus, the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus’ followers
- Jesus inaugurating the new covenant in his blood
- The Holy Spirit who continues Jesus’ work in believers
- Overcoming the world by abiding in Jesus with faith and obedience
Unique Details in John
Details unique to John’s account include John the Baptist identifying Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29-34). Jesus turning water to wine at Cana is only in John (John 2:1-11), as is his conversation with Nicodemus on being born again (John 3:1-21).
The raising of Lazarus in John 11 is a major miracle not included in the other gospels. John 18 uniquely records Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus when Jesus is arrested. Mary Magdalene is the only witness to the empty tomb in John’s account (John 20:1-18) unlike the other gospels.
Conclusion
John’s gospel masterfully depicts Jesus’ divine glory and sacrificial love through signs, discourses, and rich theological teachings. By believing in Jesus as the divine Son of God who gives eternal life, we can experience the love of God and join in Jesus’ mission to the world through the empowering Holy Spirit.
Key Verses
- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
- “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
- “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Summary
John’s gospel shows Jesus as the divine Word made flesh who reveals God’s love and truth. Through his miraculous signs, discourses, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills his mission to make God known and provide eternal life to all who believe.
