Among the four gospels of the New Testament, John’s gospel is unique. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels. The term “synoptic” comes from the Greek word synoptikos, meaning “able to be seen together” and it is the root of the word “synopsis,” meaning summary. While the three Synoptic Gospels provide a narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry that focuses on what He taught and did while on Earth, John’s gospel focuses on affirming Jesus’ divine nature and identity as the Son of God.
Biblical scholars and archaeologists affirm that John, the son of Zebedee and the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” was the author of this gospel. It was written sometime between 85 – 95AD while John was serving the church in Ephesus. This is confirmed by Polycarp, one of the early Church Fathers who was also a close friend of John. Although some scholars have identified John’s intended audience as the church in Ephesus, others hold that John was writing to an unidentified community of early believers (often referred to as the “Johannine” community). However, in both cases, it is evident that John was writing to a group of persecuted believers at a time of great uncertainty.
Fresh in the minds of many in the early church was the recent Jewish-Roman War (also referred to as the Great Revolt) and destruction of Temple of Jerusalem in 70AD by the Roman army. Jewish leaders, who were already suspicious and hostile towards believers in Christ, intensified their persecution of Christians; recalling Jesus’ words that the temple would be destroyed and raised in three days (John 2:19). By the end of the decade, believers in Christ were formally expelled from synagogues throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. This was especially traumatic for Jewish Christians, who were now ostracized from their families and communities.
John’s purpose in writing his gospel is expressed in John 20:31: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” It was simultaneously a call to a true understanding and worship of Jesus as both fully man and God Incarnate, and an encouragement that those who believe in Him will have the assured hope of eternal life. The first half of the Gospel of John (1-12) focuses on Jesus’ ministry with a specific emphasis on seven miracles and seven “I AM” statements, each affirming Jesus’ divinity, character, and the relationship that He shares with believers. The second half of the Gospel of John (13-21) provides an account of the events leading up to Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection. The gospel concludes with Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances to His disciples and, unlike the other three gospels, includes Peter’s restoration after his denial during Jesus’ trial; highlighting Christ’s redemptive work and mission.
The Gospel of John is perhaps the most well-known book of the entire Bible. At its core is Christ’s unconditional and sacrificial love expressed beautifully in John 3:16-17:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
