John

Summary[i]

Writer: The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John Joh_21:24. This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained.

Date: The date of John's Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. Probably the latter.

Theme: This is indicated both in the Prologue (Joh_1:1-14), and in the last verse of the Gospel proper (Joh_20:31), and is: The incarnation of the eternal Word, and Son of life; (2) that as many as believe on Him as "the Christ, the Son of God" (Joh_20:31) may have eternal life. The prominent words are, "believed" and "life."

The book is in seven natural divisions:

1. Prologue: The eternal Word incarnate in Jesus the Christ (John 1:1-14).

2. The witness of John the Baptist (John 1:15-34).

3. The public ministry of Christ (John 1:35 - 12:50).

4. The private ministry of Christ to His own (John 13:1 - 17:26).

5. The sacrifice of Christ (John 18:1 - 19:42).

6. The manifestation of Christ in resurrection (John 20:1-31).

7. Epilogue: Christ the Master of life and service (John 21:1-25).

The events recorded in this book cover a period of 7 years.