John - Introduction

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NEXT I. Prologue: The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-18)

Introduction

Author

THE TITLE OF THIS GOSPEL (ALSO frequently called “the Fourth Gospel”) indicates that its author was John. Early church fathers like Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria attributed authorship to the apostle John, the son of Zebedee. Some modern critical scholars have attempted to argue that the Fourth Gospel was penned by a different John (or someone else entirely), but this is speculation lacking genuine proof.

In addition to the testimony of the early church, the internal evidence from the Gospel itself supports the idea that it was written by John the son of Zebedee. Not only was the author an eyewitness to Jesus (1:14; 19:35), but he also identifies himself in 21:20 as “the disciple Jesus loved” (see 13:23; 19:26; 20:2). This disciple was present at the Last Supper (13:23), a meal that Jesus shared with the Twelve (see Matt 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14). Moreover, since this disciple is not named in the Fourth Gospel, he can’t be any of the disciples who are named (Andrew, Nathanael, Peter, Philip, Thomas, Judas Iscariot, or Judas the son of James). We also see that this disciple whom Jesus loved was one of those present when the resurrected Jesus appeared to Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, Zebedee’s sons (James and John), and two other disciples (see 21:2; 21:20). That means he must be James, John, or one of the two unnamed disciples. James, however, died an early martyr’s death in AD 42—a date too early for him to have written the Gospel. And there’s no historical support for the Gospel being written by any of the remaining disciples. We thus have good reasons for believing that John the son of Zebedee authored the Fourth Gospel.

Historical Background

The author is aware of Peter’s martyrdom (21:19), which happened in AD 65/66. The church historian Jerome claims that John died in about AD 98; thus, the Gospel was written sometime between these dates. Many evangelical scholars think a date in the 80s is most likely. Testimony from the church fathers indicates that the apostle John ministered in Ephesus during the latter years of his life. Therefore, he likely wrote it from there.

Message and Purpose

John was the beloved disciple of Jesus, with whom he had a close relationship. He wanted the readers of his Gospel to know Jesus Christ and become intimate with him as well. To only know Jesus for heaven tomorrow is to miss the joy of heaven on earth in a growing, living relationship with Christ today.

John brings both of these concepts together in his book. He says Jesus is the divine Messiah—God dwelling in our midst—who has a kingdom that is not of this world. John records eight miracles to show that Jesus is no ordinary man. He is a man, to be sure, but he is the God-Man, the Word who became flesh (1:14). He wept at a grave one moment, and raised Lazarus from the dead the next.

John also records seven “I am” statements of Jesus, showing him to be the one who revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush. John conclusively demonstrates that Jesus is the Christ so that by believing in him you may have eternal life (20:31). But the Gospel of John is also about how to have abundant life (10:10), the fruitful, fulfilling, kingdom life that Jesus offers those who follow him.

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