Gospel of John Intro

Written By Julius Shumpert

Author: John the Apostle; this Gospel claims to be an actual eyewitness account; although scholars are unsure.

Audience: Everyone; mostly the Church

Year Written: Between 90 AD and 110 AD, somewhere in Ephesus.

Language: Ancient Greek and Aramaic

The Gospel of John stands apart from the other Gospels in its unique focus on the divinity of Jesus Christ. While the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—emphasize Jesus's humanity, John's Gospel centers on His divine nature. John presents Jesus as the eternal Son of God, the incarnate Word, and the full expression of both Creator and Creation. This is accomplished through three key elements:

1.Jesus's Origins Outside of Time

John opens his Gospel with a profound statement about Jesus's eternal existence:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

This introduction is known as the "Christ Hymn," an early Christian declaration of belief about the nature and character of Christ. By starting with this hymn, John places Jesus's origins outside of time, identifying Him with the eternal Word (Logos), who was with God and was God from the beginning. This establishes Jesus as more than a historical figure; He is the divine Word through whom all things were created.

2. The Seven Signs Jesus Performed

John's Gospel is structured around seven miraculous signs that Jesus performed, each increasing in scale and significance:

  1. Turning Water into Wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11)

  2. Healing an Official's Son (John 4:46-54)

  3. Healing a Paralytic at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15)

  4. Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)

  5. Walking on Water (John 6:16-21)

  6. Healing a Man Born Blind (John 9:1-12)

  7. Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1-44)

These signs are not just miracles but symbolic acts that reveal Jesus's divine authority over creation, life, and death. Each sign shows a more profound truth about Jesus's identity and mission.

3. The Seven "I Am" Statements

In John's Gospel, Jesus makes seven "I Am" statements, each one revealing a different aspect of His divine identity:

  1. "I Am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35)

  2. "I Am the Light of the World" (John 8:12)

  3. "I Am the Door" (John 10:9)

  4. "I Am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11)

  5. "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25)

  6. "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6)

  7. "I Am the True Vine" (John 15:1)

These declarations align Jesus with the God of Israel, who revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am" (Exodus 3:14). By using this phrase, Jesus asserts His divine nature and oneness with the Father, making bold claims about His identity that were considered blasphemous by many of the Religious Leaders.

God With Us: The Incarnate Word

John's Gospel presents Jesus as God incarnate, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us (John 1:14). This concept can be challenging to grasp, as it suggests that Jesus fully expresses God and humanity. When the New Testament was being canonized, there was some debate about including John's Gospel due to its bold claims about Jesus. John's portrayal of Jesus emphasizes that just as spoken words cannot exist apart from the thoughts that give rise to them, Jesus cannot be separated from the Father. This Gospel claims that Jesus's life and actions are the ultimate revelation of God.

Key Themes in John

The "I Am" Statements

When Jesus makes "I Am" statements, He is not merely speaking about His physical presence. Instead, He expresses a more profound spiritual truth about His relationship with God and His role in the world. For example, when Jesus says, "I am the Way," He is not claiming that His physical body is the only path to heaven. Instead, He invites us to follow His example, to live in a way that reflects God's light and love.

Signs and Symbols

John's Gospel is rich with symbolism, numbers, and references to Jewish holidays and traditions. It's a theologically rich portrait of Jesus Christ as the eternal Word, the incarnate God, and the source of life and light. Each detail in the narrative is intentional, designed to highlight the moment's significance and reveal the depth of God's purpose. A simple story in John often contains multiple layers of meaning, inviting readers to explore the connections between Jesus's actions and the broader context of God's plan.

Julius Shumpert