THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

The Gospel of John was “written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that

believing you may have life in His name.”

~ John 20:31

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the World. Therefore, He is

worthy of faith, and faith expressed secures eternal life and grows to

fruition as the believer beholds the revelation of the Son.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

The Gospel of John was “written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and

that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

Two-fold purpose: (1) Bring readers to saving faith in Christ(2) Foster faith from its birth through its growth & its completion.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

“30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in

this book, 31 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.” John 20:30-31

Three prominent words: signs, believe, & life reveal John’s theme.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

The Greek word for signs, when applied to a miracle, usually implies that the deed is an indication of some power or meaning behind it to which

it is secondary in its importance.

Seven Specific “signs” carefully selected by John to fulfill the stated purpose (believe; life), are used in this Gospel:

1. Changing water into wine (2:1-11);2. Healing of the nobleman’s son (4:46-54);3. Healing of the paralytic (5:1-9);4. Feeding of 5,000 (6:1-14);5. Walking on water (6:16-21);6. Healing of blind man (9:1-12);7. Raising of Lazarus from dead (11:1-46).

Three things to consider:

(1) Each miracle or sign spotlights the deity of Jesus Christ and His Messiahship.

(2) The word “believe” is used 98 times in the Gospel. Throughout the book is the emphasis that the person who responds to the signs with belief in Christ receives life (3:36; 17:3, etc). In fact, Believe as a verb is frequently used in present tense and participial forms…John is stressing an active and vital trust in Jesus.

(2) M. Tenney: revelation, reaction, and result.

MAJOR DIVISIONS:I. Prologue, 1:1-18

II. Book of Signs, 1:19-12:50

III. Farewell Instructions, chaps. 13-17

IV. Passion & Resurrection, chaps. 18-20

V. Epilogue, chap. 21

MAJOR OUTLINE:I. Prologue, 1:1-18

II. Revelation of the Son of God to the World, 1:19-12:50;

III. Jesus’ Preparation of His Disciples, chaps. 13-17;

IV. Passion & Resurrection, chaps. 18-20;

V. Epilogue, chap. 21.

I. Prologue, 1:1-18:

A. The Logos (Word) in eternity & time (1:1-5);

B. The Testimony of John the Baptist (1:6-8):

C. The Response to the Light (1:9-13);D. The Incarnation and Revelation of the

Word (1:14-18).

II. The Revelation of the Son of God to the World, 1:19-12:50:

A. Jesus’ Early Ministry (1:19-4:54);B. Jesus’ Controversy in Jerusalem (ch. 5);C. Jesus’ Revelation in Galilee (6:1-7:9);D. Jesus’ Return to Jerusalem & resumption of

hostility (7:10-10:39);E. The Great Sign at Bethany (11:1-44);F. The Plot to Kill Jesus (11:45-57);G. Conclusion of Jesus’ public ministry (12:1-36);H. Jewish National Unbelief (12:37-50)

III. Jesus’ Preparation of His Disciples, chaps. 13-17:

A. The Last Supper (13:1-30)B. Jesus’ Coming Departure (13:31-38)C. Jesus, the Way to the Father (14:1-14)D. Jesus’ Promise of the Counselor (14:15-31)E. The Vine & the Branches (15:1-10)F. Jesus’ Friends (15:11-17)G. The World’s Hatred (15:18-16:4)H. The Spirit’s Work (16:5-15)I. Prediction of Changes (16:16-33)J. Jesus’ intercession (chap. 17)

IV. Jesus’ Passion & Resurrection, chaps. 18-20:

A. The Arrest of Jesus (18:1-11)

B. The Religious Trial & Peter’s Denial (18:12-27)

C. The Civil Trial (18:28-19:16)

D. The Crucifixion (19:17-30)

E. The Burial (19:31-42)

F. The Empty Tomb (20:1-9)

IV. Jesus’ Passion & Resurrection, chaps. 18-20:

G. Jesus’ Appearance to Mary (20:10-18)

H. Jesus’ Appearance to His Disciples (20:19-23)

I. Jesus’ Appearance to Thomas (20:24-29)

J. The Purpose of the Book (20:30-31)

V. The Epilogue, 21:1-25:A. Jesus’ Appearance to the Disciples by the Sea (21:1-

23)

1. The Great Catch of Fish (21:1-14)

B. Peter’s Restoration (21:15-19)

C. Controversy over the Beloved Disciple (21:20-23)

D. John’s Concluding Remark (21:24-25)