12 Questions
The Gospel according to ______ shows it has passed through stages of development.
John
The year this Gospel has been written, as agreed by many scholars, is between A.D. ______-100.
90
The probable audience are the ______ in Ephesus who had acknowledged Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s hope.
Jews
In John’s Gospel, Jesus begins his ministry in ______ but repeatedly goes to Jerusalem.
Galilee
There are some accounts in the ______ like the institution of the Eucharist and the parables which are not found in John.
synoptic
There are some features peculiar to the ______ Gospel that marks it off sharply from the synoptic.
fourth
The things Christ did were '______': their meaning, hidden at first, could be fully understood only after his glorification,
signs
The Gospel of John looks back on the earthly life of Jesus in the light of this completed ______.
understanding
In this school of thought the great emphasis laid on '______' has given its vocabulary the sort of tinge to be found in later Gnostic literature:
knowledge
For John he is the ______ made flesh, come to give life,
word
John's Gospel could be outlined this way: Foreword - Miraculous sign ‘I am’ phrase 1.
1:1-18
The week of the first ______ 1:19-2:12 changing water into wine 2.
Encounter
Study Notes
Authorship and Date of the Gospel of John
- The author of the Gospel of John is unknown, but it is reasonable to suppose that John the apostle is the source of the historical tradition underlying the Gospel.
- The Gospel of John was written between A.D. 90-100, according to many scholars.
Audience and Purpose
- The probable audience of the Gospel of John are the Jews in Ephesus who had acknowledged Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's hope, as equal to God, and could assume the name of God: I AM.
- They were expelled from the synagogue by Jewish authorities for their beliefs.
Differences between John and the Synoptic Gospels
- Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee but repeatedly goes to Jerusalem in John's Gospel, unlike the Synoptic Gospels where Jesus goes to Jerusalem only in the final week of his life.
- The institution of the Eucharist and the parables are not found in John's Gospel, but are present in the Synoptic Gospels.
- Narratives like the wedding at Cana, Jesus and Nicodemus, and the raising of Lazarus are unique to John's Gospel.
Peculiar Features of the Fourth Gospel
- The Gospel of John is more concerned with bringing out the significance of the events of Christ's life and of all that he did and said.
- Jesus' actions in the Gospel are referred to as 'signs', and their meaning could be fully understood only after his glorification.
- The things Jesus said had a deeper meaning not perceived at that time, and it was the business of the Holy Spirit to remind the disciples of what Jesus had said.
Influence of Jewish Ideas
- The author of the Gospel of John seems to have been influenced by ideas current in certain sections of Judaism, reflected in the Essence documents at Qumran.
- Emphasis on 'knowledge' and dualist vocabulary, such as 'light/darkness', 'truth/lies', and 'angel of light/angel of darkness', are characteristic of this school of thought.
Christology in John's Gospel
- In John's Gospel, Jesus is the Word made flesh, come to give life, and the mystery of the Incarnation dominates the whole of John's thought.
- Jesus is sent; Jesus bears witness, and is God's message, sent down to earth by God to whom he must return when his task is complete.
Structure of the Gospel
- One critic presents the structure of the Gospel as arranged on the pattern of seven weeks, with seven miracles and seven statements of self-revelation, the so-called "I am..." statements.
Explore the authorship and intended audience of the Gospel of John, including the possible role of John the apostle and the Jewish community in Ephesus. Learn about the historical context and composition of this important biblical text.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
