The Gospel of John stands apart from the other three Gospels in its approach, style, and theological depth. Written by the apostle John, the beloved disciple, this book presents Jesus as the eternal Word of God made flesh.
Purpose of the Gospel
John clearly states his purpose: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." — John 20:31
The Seven Signs
John organizes his Gospel around seven miraculous signs that reveal Jesus' glory:
- Turning water into wine (2:1-11) - Jesus transforms the ordinary
- Healing the official's son (4:46-54) - Jesus' word has power over distance
- Healing at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-15) - Jesus works on the Sabbath
- Feeding the 5,000 (6:1-14) - Jesus is the Bread of Life
- Walking on water (6:16-21) - Jesus has authority over nature
- Healing the man born blind (9:1-41) - Jesus is the Light of the World
- Raising Lazarus (11:1-44) - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life
The Seven "I Am" Statements
Jesus makes seven profound declarations about His identity:
- "I am the bread of life" (6:35)
- "I am the light of the world" (8:12)
- "I am the door" (10:9)
- "I am the good shepherd" (10:11)
- "I am the resurrection, and the life" (11:25)
- "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (14:6)
- "I am the true vine" (15:1)
Key Themes
Eternal Life
John uses the phrase "eternal life" 17 times, emphasizing that salvation is not just future but present.
Belief
The word "believe" appears nearly 100 times. John calls us to active, ongoing faith in Christ.
Light and Darkness
John contrasts spiritual light and darkness throughout, showing Christ as the light that overcomes all darkness.
Reading John
If you're new to Bible reading, John is often recommended as the best starting point. Its clear presentation of who Jesus is and what He offers makes it accessible while remaining profoundly deep.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." — John 1:1