The book of John is believed to have been written by the Apostle John, one of the first people Jesus called.
Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJV)18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Although the book does not name the writer, he is indicated as 'the beloved disciple', and the close companion of Peter.
John 21:20 (NKJV)20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
John 21:23-24 (NKJV)23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
The people of the early church, believed that it was the Apostle John who wrote this as well as the books of First, Second, and Third John and Revelation.
John, who was the last of the apostles to die, gave us in his Gospel one of four portraits of Jesus written in the decades after Christ's death and resurrection. John's Gospel is unique in a number of ways. It was written long after the others, possibly some 40 years after the end of Jesus' life on earth. Unlike the other Gospels, which were written to present Jesus to different cultural groups, John was written as a universal Gospel written more for Gentiles.
Matthew's Gospel was written to the Jewish people of his day, to be contrasted with Mark's Gospel written to the people in Rome, Luke's written to Theophilus (an actual person or “lover of God” as his name is translated is debated), John really delves into the Man Jesus and to reveal Him as God.
Of course, the other Gospels present the deity of Jesus, but the central message and focus of John's Gospel is Jesus' deity. It is apparent in reading John that it is important that believers come to know Jesus as God.
Just look at what it says at;
John 20:31 (HCSB)31 But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called Synoptic Gospels. Synoptic means a general summary or synopsis. "Synoptic" is a Greek word meaning "having a common view."
They include many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence and in similar wording.
There are some major differences between John and the Synoptic Gospels ;
1. OMISSION BY JOHN OF MATERIAL FOUND IN THE SYNOPTICS.
Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJV)18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Although the book does not name the writer, he is indicated as 'the beloved disciple', and the close companion of Peter.
John 21:20 (NKJV)20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
John 21:23-24 (NKJV)23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
The people of the early church, believed that it was the Apostle John who wrote this as well as the books of First, Second, and Third John and Revelation.
John, who was the last of the apostles to die, gave us in his Gospel one of four portraits of Jesus written in the decades after Christ's death and resurrection. John's Gospel is unique in a number of ways. It was written long after the others, possibly some 40 years after the end of Jesus' life on earth. Unlike the other Gospels, which were written to present Jesus to different cultural groups, John was written as a universal Gospel written more for Gentiles.
Matthew's Gospel was written to the Jewish people of his day, to be contrasted with Mark's Gospel written to the people in Rome, Luke's written to Theophilus (an actual person or “lover of God” as his name is translated is debated), John really delves into the Man Jesus and to reveal Him as God.
Of course, the other Gospels present the deity of Jesus, but the central message and focus of John's Gospel is Jesus' deity. It is apparent in reading John that it is important that believers come to know Jesus as God.
Just look at what it says at;
John 20:31 (HCSB)31 But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called Synoptic Gospels. Synoptic means a general summary or synopsis. "Synoptic" is a Greek word meaning "having a common view."
They include many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence and in similar wording.
There are some major differences between John and the Synoptic Gospels ;
1. OMISSION BY JOHN OF MATERIAL FOUND IN THE SYNOPTICS.
John’s Gospel omits a large amount of material found in the synoptic Gospels, including some surprisingly important episodes: the temptation of Jesus, (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13) Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-11, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36) and the institution of the Lord’s ( Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-23) supper are not mentioned by John. John mentions no examples of Jesus casting out demons. The sermon on the mount and the Lord’s prayer are not found in the Fourth Gospel. There are no narrative parables in John’s Gospel.
For example the conversations with Nicodemus in John 3, the Samaritan woman in John 4 the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6
John 6:22-26 (NKJV)22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone--23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks--24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?"26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
The Farewell Discourse John 13-17.
Purpose.
The purpose can be summed up by something in the book itself.
John 20:30-31 (NKJV)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.
That the readers will become convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that life will come through faith in him. The choice of material is calculated to lead to exactly this conclusion.
But why is this so important? And why is the present tense so important: that Jesus is the Christ. Not was. Is!
It's important because when we recognize Jesus as the God who lives now, we also discover that we "may have life" now through His name.
Date and Place of Composition.
2. INCLUSION BY JOHN OF MATERIAL NOT FOUND IN THE SYNOPTICS.
John also includes a considerable amount of material not found in the synoptics. All the material in John 2—4, Jesus’ early Galilean ministry, is not found in the synoptics. Prior visits of Jesus to Jerusalem before the passion week are mentioned in John but not found in the synoptics. The the resurrection of Lazarus is not mentioned in the synoptics. The extended Farewell Discourse (John 13—17) is not found in the synoptic Gospels.
John also includes a considerable amount of material not found in the synoptics. All the material in John 2—4, Jesus’ early Galilean ministry, is not found in the synoptics. Prior visits of Jesus to Jerusalem before the passion week are mentioned in John but not found in the synoptics. The the resurrection of Lazarus is not mentioned in the synoptics. The extended Farewell Discourse (John 13—17) is not found in the synoptic Gospels.
3. DIFFERENT LENGTH OF JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY.
According to John, Jesus’ public ministry extended over a period of at least three and possibly four years. During this time Jesus goes several times from Galilee to Jerusalem. The synoptics appear to describe only one journey of Jesus to Jerusalem (the final one), with most of Jesus’ ministry taking place within one year.
Matthew 21:1-13 and Mark 11:1-11
The Triumphal Entry
Luke mentions Jesus in Jerusalem 4 times but only once after starting his ministry the times in Luke are at his presentation at the temple as a baby 2:22, when he went with his parents at 12 years old 2:41, the third time when Satan took Him on top of the temple and tempted Him 4:9 then the Triumphal Entry 19:26-40.
John differs inexplicably from the others. It says that Jesus went from Galilee to Jerusalem three times during his ministry
John 2:13 (HCSB)13 The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 5:1 (HCSB)1 After this, a Jewish festival took place, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 12:12 (HCSB)12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
By John's account, the ministry of Jesus lasted for at least three years.
References: http://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/how-many-times-did-jesus-visit-jerusalem/,
4. John’s Emphasizes the person, nature, and role of Christ. AS OPPOSED TO THE SYNOPTICS.
The very first verse of John presents Jesus as the Word or Logos.
According to John, Jesus’ public ministry extended over a period of at least three and possibly four years. During this time Jesus goes several times from Galilee to Jerusalem. The synoptics appear to describe only one journey of Jesus to Jerusalem (the final one), with most of Jesus’ ministry taking place within one year.
Matthew 21:1-13 and Mark 11:1-11
The Triumphal Entry
Luke mentions Jesus in Jerusalem 4 times but only once after starting his ministry the times in Luke are at his presentation at the temple as a baby 2:22, when he went with his parents at 12 years old 2:41, the third time when Satan took Him on top of the temple and tempted Him 4:9 then the Triumphal Entry 19:26-40.
John differs inexplicably from the others. It says that Jesus went from Galilee to Jerusalem three times during his ministry
John 2:13 (HCSB)13 The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 5:1 (HCSB)1 After this, a Jewish festival took place, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 12:12 (HCSB)12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
By John's account, the ministry of Jesus lasted for at least three years.
References: http://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/how-many-times-did-jesus-visit-jerusalem/,
4. John’s Emphasizes the person, nature, and role of Christ. AS OPPOSED TO THE SYNOPTICS.
The very first verse of John presents Jesus as the Word or Logos.
John 1:1 (HCSB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Logos, is the Greek term translated as “word,” “speech,” “principle,” or “thought.” In Greek philosophy, it also referred to a universal, divine reason or the mind of God.
John argues that Jesus, the Word or Logos, is eternal and is God. Further, all creation came about by and through Jesus, who is presented as the source of life. Amazingly, this Logos came and lived among us
Logos, is the Greek term translated as “word,” “speech,” “principle,” or “thought.” In Greek philosophy, it also referred to a universal, divine reason or the mind of God.
John argues that Jesus, the Word or Logos, is eternal and is God. Further, all creation came about by and through Jesus, who is presented as the source of life. Amazingly, this Logos came and lived among us
John 1:14 (HCSB) 14 The Word
became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the
One and Only Son
from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John’s Gospel begins by using the Greek idea of a “divine reason” or “the mind of God” as a way to connect with the readers of his day and introduce Jesus to them as God. Greek philosophy may have used the word in reference to divine reason, but John used it to note many of the attributes of Jesus. In John’s use of the Logos concept, we find that
-Jesus is eternal (“In the beginning was the Word”)
-Jesus was with God prior to coming to earth (“the Word was with God”)
-Jesus is God (“the Word was God.”)
-Jesus is Creator (“All things were made through him”)
-Jesus is the Giver of Life (“In him was life”)
-Jesus became human to live among us (“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”)
Further, the opening of John’s Gospel carries a striking resemblance to Genesis 1:1.
Genesis 1:1 (HCSB) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John begins his Gospel with an affirmation of Jesus’ preexistence and full deity, which ends with Thomas’ confession
John 20:28 (HCSB)28 Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Mark who begins his Gospel with Jesus’ baptism and Matthew and Luke who begin theirs with Jesus’ birth.
5. LITERARY POINT OF VIEW: JOHN VERSUS THE SYNOPTICS.
The synoptics are written from a third person point of view, describing the events as if the authors had personally observed all of them and were reporting what they saw at the time. Thus they are basically descriptive in their approach. John’s Gospel, on the other hand, although also written from a third person point of view, is more reflective, clearly later than the events he describes. The author of the Fourth Gospel very carefully separates himself from the events he describes (cf. the role of the Beloved Disciple in the Fourth Gospel). However clear it is that he was an eyewitness of the life of Jesus, it is no less clear that he looks back upon it from a temporal distance. While we see the events through his eyes, we are carefully guided to see the events of Jesus’ life not as John saw them when they happened but as he now sees them. We understand more of the significance of the events described from the position the writer now holds than an eyewitness could have understood at the time the events took place. In this sense John’s Gospel is much more reflective.
John’s Gospel begins by using the Greek idea of a “divine reason” or “the mind of God” as a way to connect with the readers of his day and introduce Jesus to them as God. Greek philosophy may have used the word in reference to divine reason, but John used it to note many of the attributes of Jesus. In John’s use of the Logos concept, we find that
-Jesus is eternal (“In the beginning was the Word”)
-Jesus was with God prior to coming to earth (“the Word was with God”)
-Jesus is God (“the Word was God.”)
-Jesus is Creator (“All things were made through him”)
-Jesus is the Giver of Life (“In him was life”)
-Jesus became human to live among us (“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”)
Further, the opening of John’s Gospel carries a striking resemblance to Genesis 1:1.
Genesis 1:1 (HCSB) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John begins his Gospel with an affirmation of Jesus’ preexistence and full deity, which ends with Thomas’ confession
John 20:28 (HCSB)28 Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Mark who begins his Gospel with Jesus’ baptism and Matthew and Luke who begin theirs with Jesus’ birth.
5. LITERARY POINT OF VIEW: JOHN VERSUS THE SYNOPTICS.
The synoptics are written from a third person point of view, describing the events as if the authors had personally observed all of them and were reporting what they saw at the time. Thus they are basically descriptive in their approach. John’s Gospel, on the other hand, although also written from a third person point of view, is more reflective, clearly later than the events he describes. The author of the Fourth Gospel very carefully separates himself from the events he describes (cf. the role of the Beloved Disciple in the Fourth Gospel). However clear it is that he was an eyewitness of the life of Jesus, it is no less clear that he looks back upon it from a temporal distance. While we see the events through his eyes, we are carefully guided to see the events of Jesus’ life not as John saw them when they happened but as he now sees them. We understand more of the significance of the events described from the position the writer now holds than an eyewitness could have understood at the time the events took place. In this sense John’s Gospel is much more reflective.
6. EXTENDED DIALOGUES OR DISCOURSES RATHER THAN PROVERBIAL SAYINGS.
John presents his material in the form of extended dialogues or discourses.
John presents his material in the form of extended dialogues or discourses.
For example the conversations with Nicodemus in John 3, the Samaritan woman in John 4 the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6
John 6:22-26 (NKJV)22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone--23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks--24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?"26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
The Farewell Discourse John 13-17.
Purpose.
The purpose can be summed up by something in the book itself.
John 20:30-31 (NKJV)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.
That the readers will become convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that life will come through faith in him. The choice of material is calculated to lead to exactly this conclusion.
But why is this so important? And why is the present tense so important: that Jesus is the Christ. Not was. Is!
It's important because when we recognize Jesus as the God who lives now, we also discover that we "may have life" now through His name.
Date and Place of Composition.
According to Christian tradition, John spent the latter years of his life at Ephesus, where he carried on a ministry of preaching and teaching, as well as writing. From this point he was exiled to Patmos in the reign of the Emperor Domitian. His Gospel seems to presuppose a knowledge of the Synoptic tradition and for this reason should be placed last in the series, possibly somewhere between 80 and 90 AD..
<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>
Bible Study Audio
<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>
No comments:
Post a Comment