John Introduction - KJV (King James Version)
Synopsis:
The Gospel of John was written to persuade people to believe in Jesus (20:30-31). The opening verses declare that Jesus is God, stressing his unique relationship with God the Father. The book focuses on seven of Jesus' signs (miracles), to show his divinity. Jesus called people to believe in him, promising eternal life. He proved he could give life by raising Lazarus (ch. 11) and by his own death and resurrection. John features Christ's seven "I am" statements, his encounters with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, his Upper Room teachings and washing of the disciples' feet (chs. 13-16), and his high priestly prayer (ch. 17). It includes the most well-known summary of the gospel (3:16). The author was probably the apostle John, writing about a.d. 85.
Authorship: Apostle John
- John 20:21,24
- Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 AD) explicitly testifies that John wrote it while in Ephesus (66-98 AD)
Main Theme: Jesus is the Son of God
Date of Composition: 85 AD (post 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem)
- Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 AD) explicitly testifies that John wrote it while in Ephesus (66-98 AD)
- John Ryland's P52 dated to 125 AD (note critics always want to date fragments late to make the Christology of Jesus sound like it took centuries to develop.)
Simple Outline:
1. Son of God (Jn 1-21)
A. Incarnation (Ch 1:1-18)
B. Presentation (Ch 1:19-4:54)
C. Opposition (Ch 5-12)
D. Disciples Prepared (Ch 13-17)
E. Crucifixion (Ch 18-19)
F. Resurrection (Ch 20-21)
7 "I Am's":
- Bread of Life (Jn 6:35,41,48,51)
- Light of the World (Jn 8:12)
- Door of the Sheep (Jn 10:7,9)
- Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11,14)
- Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25)
- The Way, the Truth, the Life (Jn 14:6)
- True Vine (Jn 15:1,5)