An Introduction To John’s Gospel
This is a summary of the Gospel of St John as written in The Bible Brief summary of the complete Bible
When:
Around A.D. 85
Who:
The Apostle John
People & Places:
Jesus; John; John the Baptist; Mary; Lazarus; Judas; Pilate; Galilee; Bethesda
Sound-Bites:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Ch.1:1)
The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (Ch.1:29)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (Ch.3:16)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (Ch.10:10)
Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (Ch.14:6)
But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (Ch.20:31)
The Messianic Link:
He is the Only Begotten Son: (John 1:14,18) And the Lamb of God (John 1:29,36)
In John 6:35 He is the Bread of Life
He is The Light of the World (John 8:1)
The I AM! Of John 8:58
The Door of the Sheep: (John 10:7,9)
The Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
The True Vine (John 15:1)
John Summary:
John begins this book, with emphasis on the Deity of Jesus; which is indeed is a theme which is maintained through-out. Jesus it the ‘’True Light’ which has come into the world, and as such John is testifying that He is the ‘Only Begotten’ of The Father; emphasizing both his humanity and his Deity.
In chapter 5 John explains Jesus’ equality with God, and how this started the real conflict with the religious leaders at the time. Jesus affirms his Deity in chapter 9:35-41 and chapter 10:25-30; and continues in this vein through-out the rest of the book.
After performing His first miracle – turning water into wine in chapter 2 – Jesus continues to perform many more; including healing a noble man’s son (Ch.4:46-54), healing the cripple at Bethsaida (Ch.5:1-9), and feeding the 5,000 (Ch.6:1-14).
From chapter 13 onwards, John writes about Jesus’ preparing the disciple’s for his death and ultimate resurrection.
John finishes by declaring that there were many other things which Jesus did, but that he could not record owing to the sheer volume involved.
Notes & Quotes:
I think it’s fair to say that most Christians have a ‘special’ book within the 66 books that make up the Bible; and indeed I am no exception!
John was the book that spoke loudly to me, on the night that I really sought The Lord for salvation. The words are emotive and ‘real’ in a way that makes this book stand out to people and speaks to the heart, perhaps more than the head – in my opinion!
As well as promoting the Deity of Jesus, this book really promotes relationship through Him with God The Father. ‘The Good Shepherd’ and ‘Light of the world’ promotes Jesus as someone who cares for, and can identify with, the trials that we go through as individuals.
John himself emphasizes his reasons for writing this book when he says.. “But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (Ch.20:31)
It certainly works for me!
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Gospels Summaries: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Summary of Revelation
By James Paris