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The Gospel According to John

The Gospel According to John . An Overview of John’s Gospel. A different perspective on Jesus and his life than the Synoptic Gospels. Authorship and Date. The Gospel of John, the three letters of John, and the Book of Revelation attributed to the same author

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The Gospel According to John

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  1. The Gospel According to John

  2. An Overview of John’s Gospel A different perspective on Jesus and his life than the Synoptic Gospels

  3. Authorship and Date • The Gospel of John, the three letters of John, and the Book of Revelation attributed to the same author • Only Revelation refers to the author by the name-John • The Evangelist refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” • Identity never revealed

  4. Authorship cont • Early Church tradition attributes authorship to the Apostle John • No evidence to support • Probably written by a disciple of John or group of disciples • End of first century: 90-95 CE (AD)

  5. Audience and Location • Communities suffered from persecution under Emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96) • Hellenistic Jewish Christians: author and readers • Written in Ephesus, maybe Syria

  6. Theological Themes: Reflection on the Person and Nature of Jesus • Incarnate and living Word of God • Revelation of the divine • Divine Son of God • New Creation • Light and darkness • “I am” statements

  7. Jesus and the Father are One • Synoptic gospels: the teachings of Jesus in terms of the coming of the reign of God; • John’s gospel: Jesus speaks mostly about himself – Jesus is the kingdom of God in the flesh

  8. Jesus in “I am” statements I am the bread of life (Jn 6:35) I am the light of the world (Jn 8:12) I am the gate for the sheep (Jn 10:7) I am the good shepherd (Jn 10:11) I am the resurrection and life (Jn 11:25) I am the way and the truth and the life (Jn 14:6) I am the true vine (Jn 15:1)

  9. John’s unique style • Synoptic gospels: Jesus teaches: - through parables and short sayings; • John’s gospel: Jesus teaches: • through long, symbolic, theological discourses; • Uses double meaning and irony. Ex: John 3:4; John 4:12

  10. Structure of the Gospel Prologue: - probably an early Christian hymn - to oppose other understandings - Logos/Word Two distinct sections: • Book of Signs - works and deeds of Jesus • Book of Glory - Jesus’ teachings - Passion, death, and Resurrection events

  11. Book of Signs • The wedding at Cana (John 2: 1-11) – ushering in the new messianic era; • Jesus heals an official’s Son (John 4: 46-54) – Jesus is come for Gentiles as well as Jews; • Jesus heals on the Sabbath (John 5:1-15) – Jesus power over Sabbath is his union with the Father; • Feeding the five thousand (John 6:1-13) – Jesus as fulfillment of the Exodus – replacing manna with his own body and blood.

  12. Book of Signs • Jesus walks on the water (John 6: 16-21) – water – symbol for chaos – Jesus conquers chaos just as God conquers chaos in the creation story; • A man born blind receives sight (John 9:1-7) – light – symbol for truth; - darkness – symbol for sin or confusion; It points beyond the physical darkness of blindness to the spiritual darkness of sin;

  13. Book of Signs • The Death of the Lazarus (John 11:1-44) – - Death and rising of Lazarus – a prefiguring of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

  14. Book of Glory (John 13: 1-20:31) 1) Story of Last Supper; 2) The Last Discourse; 3) Ascension

  15. Nicodemus Who was Nicodemus? (John 3:1-21) • A Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin • Undergoes a slow and gradual process of conversion • After seeing signs, decides he wants to know more about Jesus • Meets with Jesus during the night so as not to be seen • Still not quite able to grasp who he was or his message.

  16. Nicodemus (continued) • In time, Nicodemus discovers the courage to defend Jesus’ legal rights before the Sanhedrin. • At Jesus’ death, Nicodemus assists Joseph of Arimathea in claiming and burying his body. • Nicodemus gradually, through God’s grace, drawn to the Light, accepting Jesus in faith. • Gospel of John connects grace, faith, and Baptism • Baptism is a sign of new birth, life, and the work of the Spirit.

  17. The Samaritan Woman John 4:1-27: Jesus encounters Samaritan woman at a well • Jesus’ crosses cultural barriers and expectations - speaks with a Samaritan - speaks with a woman - Samaritan woman is surprised. Jesus models a love that is all-inclusive Jesus reveals his identity, first, to this woman Samaritan woman becomes the first, in John’s Gospel,to share the Light w/others: the first evangelizer

  18. The Woman Caught in Adultery The Adulterous Woman passage again reflects Jesus’ non-judgmental stance (John 7:53-8:11) • the penalty for adultery was death for both the woman and the man. • Jesus’ adversaries used the woman in an attempt to draw him into a trap. • Jesus draws a line between light and darkness, moving attention away from the sins of the woman to those of her accusers.

  19. The Book of Glory: Jesus’ Teachings John’s Theme of Jesus as servant • The Synoptics focus on the meal at the Last Supper • John focuses on servanthood - demonstrated by Jesus’ washing of the feet of his disciples - Jesus models how we are to be for the other - Jesus even washes the feet of his betrayer, Judas - Jesus’ new commandment: “love one another. Just as I have loved you… (John 13:34-35 )

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