Page 21 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Date
The Gospel was most likely written ca. AD 85–95, although if John the Elder is its author it could have
been written in the early second century AD. The “Rylands Fragment,” a tiny piece of papyrus (about the
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size of a credit card), contains parts of John 18 in Greek and dates to AD 125–150.

Themes

The Gospel of John demonstrates in a greater sense that Jesus is God in the flesh (1:1–3, 14). His
authority allows Him to call people to abide in His love and share that love with others (e.g., 13:34–35;
15:9–17).

In John’s Gospel, Jesus uses “I am” phrases over eight times, which equate Him with Yahweh of the Old
Testament (e.g., 6:35; 8:24; 10:11, 14; 13:19; 15:1; 18:5–9; compare Exod. 3:14–16).

In acknowledging the difference between the Gospel of John and the Synoptics, some scholars have
noted that, “Unlike the Synoptic Gospels—which focus on the kingdom of God/heaven—the emphasis
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of John’s Gospel is the unity of Jesus, God’s Son, with God the Father (John 10:30; 14).” Adding that,
“On the basis of this, Jesus emphasizes that His followers should be unified with Him and with one
another.” Adding further that, “Jesus also says that the Holy Spirit will come to His followers—God’s
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eternal presence is with His followers (ch. 15).”
Thomas even calls Jesus his Lord—which may indicate that he is calling him Yahweh—and his God (20:28).
John emphasizes that the only way to true and eternal relationship with God the Father is through Jesus’
sacrificial death and resurrection (e.g., 3:16–17; 14:16–17; 17:3). And this is the message our world needs
to hear today.
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Purpose
John is the only one of the gospels that contains a precise statement of the author’s purpose. "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.” (20:31) John's objective was both apologetic (" that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God") and evangelistic (" and that believing you may have life in His
name"). Martin Luther marveled over the dual nature of John's writing, admitting, "Never in my life have
I read a book written in simpler words than this, and yet the words are inexpressible!" In keeping with
his evangelistic purpose, John used the verb "to believe" nearly 100 times-more than twice as much as
the Synoptics, emphasizing that those who savingly believe in Jesus will receive eternal life. John's
apologetic purpose, which is inseparable from his evangelistic purpose, was to convince his readers of
Jesus’ true identity. He presents Him as God incarnate, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.

Structure

The Gospel of John stands apart from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in its content,
order, wording, and themes. John 1:1–18 serves as a prologue that identifies Jesus as the Word (logos in
Greek). Jesus is described as pre-existent—already present at the beginning of the universe—and as

59 Ibid
60 Ibid
61 Ibid
62 Ibid
63 Ibid
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