The Book of John

Mike Johnson

The book of John adds much to our understanding of the mission and life of Christ. There is much evidence, both internal and external, to show that John was the author of the fourth Gospel.

John was an apostle and was a son of Zebedee, and James, another of the apostles, was his brother.  John seems to have been one of the three apostles who made up an inner-circle around Jesus.  It seems clear that John was the disciple who followed Jesus to the high priest’s palace after Jesus’ arrest, and also to the place of the crucifixion.  Just before His death, it appears, Jesus committed His mother to John for him to take care of her. It was John who ran to the tomb of Jesus, along with Peter, on the morning of the resurrection.  After Pentecost, John was a companion of Peter on several occasions, and he was in Jerusalem when Paul visited the city after his first missionary journey.  There is some evidence that he spent his later years in Ephesus.  Late in John’s life, he was banished to Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.

Mark and Luke reveal a lot about the ministry of Jesus in Galilee and the neighboring areas, where John centers his writings about events in Judea and Jerusalem.  John only indirectly refers to the baptism of Jesus, while the first three gospels give detailed accounts.  The first three gospels make frequent use of the parable.  John, however, does not record any parables, but he does provide several allegorical expressions.  John does not refer to the kingdom as much as the other accounts.  Instead, he writes about the person of Christ and his relationship to God and eternal life.  John does not give an account of the infancy of Jesus, as do Matthew and Luke.  Instead, he begins his gospel with Christ as “the eternal Word” and emphasizes the divine person of Christ.

The book is very beautifully written.  Its message has a universal appeal.  John uses words that are easily understood and have, throughout the years, been the symbols of the basic needs of humanity.

We need to make sure and read the account by John often.  John, as well as the other accounts, will increase our faith.  Jesus said in John 20:30-31, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”