The Gospel of John is one of four gospels in the New Testament that tell the story of Jesus Christ. John’s gospel provides a unique perspective on Jesus’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Here is a summary of the key events and themes in the Gospel of John.
Authorship
The Gospel of John does not identify its author by name. However, early church tradition uniformly affirms that the author was the apostle John. Internal evidence also points to John as the author. The writer was clearly an eyewitness of the events he recorded (John 1:14; 19:35; 21:24). He demonstrates close familiarity with locations in Israel, such as the pool of Bethesda (John 5:2) and the village of Bethany (John 11:1). The author is also familiar with Jewish customs, festivals, and beliefs. All of this internal evidence is consistent with John the apostle, the son of Zebedee, who accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry.
Purpose and Themes
John states his purpose for writing near the end of the gospel: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). John aims to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God so that his readers may believe in Jesus and have eternal life. Some of the major themes in John revolve around Jesus’s identity and mission:
- Jesus is the divine Son of God who took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14, 18; 20:28).
- Jesus is the source of eternal life to all who believe in him (John 3:16; 5:24; 10:28).
- Jesus alone provides access to God the Father (John 14:6).
- Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish hopes and Old Testament expectations (John 1:45; 5:39).
- Jesus’s death provides atonement for the sins of the world (John 1:29; 3:16).
By believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, readers can have eternal life.
Outline
The Gospel of John can be outlined as follows:
- Prologue (John 1:1-18)
- Jesus’s public ministry (John 1:19-12:50)
- Introduction to Jesus’s ministry (John 1:19-51)
- Early ministry and miracles (John 2-4)
- Opposition from Jewish leaders (John 5)
- Bread of Life discourse (John 6)
- Teachings at the Festival of Tabernacles (John 7-8)
- Healing of the man born blind (John 9)
- Good Shepherd discourse (John 10)
- Raising of Lazarus (John 11)
- Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12)
- Jesus’s final week (John 13-19)
- Washing his disciples’ feet (John 13)
- Farewell discourses (John 14-16)
- High priestly prayer (John 17)
- Arrest and trials (John 18)
- Crucifixion, death, and burial (John 19)
- Resurrection appearances (John 20-21)
Key Events and Teachings
Here is an overview of some of the major events and passages in John’s gospel:
Prologue (John 1:1-18)
The prologue introduces major christological themes that will be expounded through the gospel. John begins by identifying Jesus as the eternal divine Word who took on human flesh. Jesus is the source of all life and light who has revealed God to the world.
Jesus Turns Water into Wine (John 2:1-11)
This miracle at the wedding in Cana is identified as the first sign through which Jesus revealed his glory. It displays his power over the material creation.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-22)
At the Passover feast, Jesus drives out money changers from the temple, declaring that he is the fulfillment of Old Testament types and prophecies. When challenged, he asserts his authority over the temple as the Son of God.
Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-21)
Jesus has an extended discussion with the Pharisee Nicodemus, teaching that one must be born again through the Spirit to enter God’s kingdom. He proclaims the famous John 3:16 summary of the gospel.
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42)
Jesus crosses social boundaries by ministering to a Samaritan woman, offering her the gift of living water. She believes he is the Messiah, and many other Samaritans believe in Jesus because of her testimony.
Jesus Heals an Official’s Son (John 4:46-54)
An official’s son is healed when Jesus simply speaks the word, demonstrating Jesus’s authority and power.
Jesus Heals a Lame Man (John 5:1-17)
Jesus heals an invalid who had been ill for 38 years. When accused of Sabbath-breaking, Jesus asserts his authority as Son of God.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (John 6:1-15)
Jesus miraculously multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of 5000, revealing his supernatural power.
Bread of Life Discourse (John 6:22-59)
After feeding the 5000, Jesus teaches that he is the bread of life who gives eternal life to believers. Eternal life comes from believing in Jesus.
Jesus at the Festival of Tabernacles (John 7-8)
At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus proclaims his authority as the source of living water and the light of the world. He asserts that he is from the Father, but is rejected by the Jewish leaders.
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)
Jesus heals a man blind from birth, provoking controversy with the Pharisees about his claims. Jesus asserts that he came to give sight to those blind spiritually.
Good Shepherd Discourse (John 10:1-21)
Jesus compares himself to a good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. As the only way to the Father, he gives eternal life to those who believe.
The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-57)
Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead after four days, producing faith in some and intensifying opposition from the chief priests.
Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-19)
Jesus enters Jerusalem to the praises of the crowds who hail him as king, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah.
Washing the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-20)
Jesus models humble service by washing his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, setting an example for them to follow.
Farewell Discourses (John 14-16)
On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus teaches his disciples about his relationship to the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of abiding in him.
High Priestly Prayer (John 17)
Jesus prays for his disciples and for all future believers, asking the Father to keep them in unity and sanctify them by the truth of his word.
The Crucifixion (John 19:16-37)
Jesus is condemned to death by Pilate and crucified at Golgotha. While dying, he entrusts his mother to John’s care. His legs are not broken and his side is pierced, fulfilling prophecy.
The Resurrection (John 20:1-31)
Finding Jesus’s tomb empty, Mary Magdalene meets the risen Christ. He appears to his disciples and convinces doubting Thomas through his wounds. The purpose of John’s gospel is accomplished: that readers might believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in him.
Epilogue (John 21:1-25)
In a final resurrection appearance, Jesus directs Peter to feed his sheep, predicts Peter’s martyrdom, and refutes a rumor about John’s immortality.
Key Theological Themes
In addition to the themes already mentioned, here are some other notable theological themes in John’s gospel:
Incarnation
Against docetic views, John emphasizes that Jesus Christ truly became human while remaining fully divine (John 1:14). The eternal Word of God took on real human flesh and blood.
Belief and Unbelief
John highlights the division between those who believe Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God and those who reject him. Belief leads to life while unbelief results in condemnation (John 3:18).
“I Am” Statements
Seven times in John’s gospel, Jesus uses the phrase “I am” followed by a metaphor to make theological claims about his person: I am the bread of life (6:35); I am the light of the world (8:12); I am the gate for the sheep (10:7); I am the good shepherd (10:11); I am the resurrection and the life (11:25); I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6); I am the true vine (15:1).
Replacement Motif
As the fulfillment of Judaism, Jesus replaces Jewish rituals and institutions: he is the new temple (John 2:19-21); new birth (3:3); living water (4:10-14); manna from heaven (6:32-35); light of the world (8:12).
Holy Spirit
John teaches about the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell believers (John 14:16-17) and convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). The Spirit guides believers into all truth (John 16:13).
Eternal Life
Eternal life is a key theme in John. It is a present possession for believers, not just a future hope (John 5:24). Eternal life flows from Jesus to those who believe in him (John 4:14).
Conclusion
In summary, John’s gospel presents Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God who reveals the Father, provides eternal life, and offers spiritual water and bread. By believing in Jesus, the eternal Word made flesh, we can have eternal life. This gospel aims to convince readers of Jesus’s true identity so they will believe in him and experience the salvation he provides. The vivid, eyewitness testimony of the Apostle John presents a compelling testimony of who Jesus is and why he came.