The Gospel According to John

Background

• Attributed to Apostle John• Written after synoptic

gospels• Written 90-100

Audience

• Community in Ephesus• Written for Christians

Differences

• Different order of events• New Titles for Jesus• Focuses on Jesus’ divinity• Interprets, rather than

reports

Structure

• Prologue (1:1-18)• Book of Signs (1:19-12:50)• Book of Glory (13:1-20:31)

Prologue

• Eagle represents John

Book of Signs

• 1:19-12:50• 7 Miracle stories• Miracles followed by

detailed explanations • All point to Jesus’ identity

Signs found in Synoptic Gospels

• Curing official’s son (4:46-54)• Multiplication of bread and

fish (6:1-14)• Walking on Water (6:16-21)

Unique to John

• Wedding of Cana (2:1-12)• Healing a paralyzed man (5:1-47)• Curing a blind man (9:1-12)• Raising of Lazarus (11:1-44)

Book of Glory

• Different from Synoptic Gospels

• Timing of Last Supper• Jesus fully in control

Last Supper

• Foot Washing• Series of speeches • Less focused on the

Eucharistic prayer• Judas, puppet of Satan• Jesus, the Way and the Truth

Prayer of Unity

Promises to Send Help

• Will send a guide to support them

• Holy Spirit

Jesus, the High Priest

• Jesus, sacrificial Lamb• Eternal sacrifice• All priests imitate Jesus

Passion

• Jesus is fully in control• When soldiers try to arrest

Jesus, fall over• “Shall I not drink the cup

that the Father gave me?” • Dies at the moment he

determines

Resurrection

• Reveals God’s true Glory• Encounters Mary

Magdelene• Physically different• Sin and death no longer

have power over Jesus• 40 Days Preparing the

Apostles

John’s Ending

• Commissions Peter• The Beloved Apostles