Session 6: The Gospel of John

The Gospel of John

Authorship

In terms of authorship, the Gospel of John is traditionally attributed to "the disciple whom Jesus loved," otherwise known as the beloved disciple. However, this attribution is uncertain, and scholars continue to debate whether John the son of Zebedee or someone else wrote the gospel. Despite these debates, the gospel itself presents itself as having been written by "the disciple whom Jesus loved".

Themes

One of the central themes in the Gospel of John is the declaration of Jesus as the Son of God. John emphasizes that Jesus performs miracles not merely as impressive displays of divine power, but rather to demonstrate that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. These miracles serve as signs pointing to Jesus' divinity, with the first miracle in Cana being particularly notable for its connection to God's promise in Isaiah about a "feast of rich food" and "aged wine" that marks the arrival of the Messiah. Other miracles in John serve similar purposes, such as the feeding of the five thousand and the raising of Lazarus, which are connected to specific sermons given by Jesus.

Another key theme in John is the emphasis on Jesus' teachings, particularly the Upper Room Discourse. This material allows readers to gain insights into Jesus' mission and his message, including his betrayal and the imminent arrival of the Holy Spirit after his departure. The Gospel of John also contains a profound focus on unity among believers, exemplified by Jesus' prayer for his disciples in chapter 17.

Theology

The theology presented in the Gospel of John is unique compared to the Synoptic Gospels, which primarily deal with Jesus' life and death without focusing on specific theological themes. In contrast, John's Gospel presents Jesus as the Word of God, the eternal divine presence, and the reveler of all truth. Additionally, John describes Jesus as the true light that illuminates every human being, and he introduces the concept of eternal life as a present reality available through knowing Jesus.

John's Gospel further underscores the importance of love, particularly expressed through obedience, and the role of the Father as the source of all love. The emphasis on obedience is also seen in John's portrayal of Jesus' relationship with his Father, which is characterized by both obedience and trust.

Miracles

The miracles described in the Gospel of John serve multiple purposes. They are presented as signs that symbolize who Jesus is and what he came to do. For example, the miracle at Cana is more than just turning water into wine; it serves as the first sign pointing to Jesus' divinity and God's promise through Isaiah about the Messiah. Other miracles, such as Jesus healing the sick and feeding the five thousand, are associated with significant teachings or events, like the Bread of Life Discourse and the raising of Lazarus.