Read the Passage: John 1

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: John 1

Author and Date – The Gospel of John is technically anonymous, although the author refers to himself five times as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). A study of this book reveals that John is the best candidate to have written this Gospel. Although John’s name doesn’t appear anywhere in this book, the early church was unanimous in its testimony that John is the author. John was one of the twelve apostles, the son of Zebedee (cf. Matt. 10:2–4) and Salome (cf. Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40), and the brother of James. Recall that Peter, James, and John were the three disciples who were closest to Jesus (cf. Matt. 17:1). Since John lived longer than any of the other disciples, he is assumed to have been the youngest of the apostles, although the Bible does not identify him as such. Prior to meeting Jesus, John was a fisherman (cf. Mark 1:19–20), and he may have been related to Jesus, as strong church tradition identifies John’s mother Salome as being Mary’s sister. An aspect of John’s personality is indicated in that he and James were called “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). The Gospel of John was likely written after the Synoptic Gospels, perhaps sometime between 80–90 AD, with the church father Irenaeus reporting that John wrote this Gospel from Ephesus.

Theme and Purpose – John’s Gospel focuses on discourse rather than on narrative and parables. In fact, there are no traditional parables in John’s Gospel. John was a pillar in the early church (cf. Gal. 2:9) and wrote to instruct the church about Jesus and His teachings, and to evangelize unbelievers. John intentionally avoids material already available in the other Gospels, and John fills in the gaps in the narrative given by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Note that John’s Gospel contains 92% unique material. Overall, John’s main themes are the deity of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the offer of eternal life. John centers his writing around eight miracles or signs, six of which are unique to John. John clearly states his purpose in writing, as he declares, “These [things] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). Note that John uses the term “believe” almost 100 times in his Gospel.

Structure and Outline – The Gospel of John can be thematically outlined as follows:

• Incarnation (1:1–1:51)
• Presentation (2:1–4:54)
• Opposition (5:1–12:50)
• Preparation (13:1–17:26)
• Execution (18:1–19:42)
• Resurrection (20:1–21:25)

Person of Christ (1:1–13)

Since John’s purpose, in part, is to prove Jesus’ divine nature, it is not coincidental that he mirrors Gen. 1:1 as he begins writing his Gospel. Observe that whereas Gen. 1:1 says, “In the beginning God,” John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word.” John then identifies the Word as God (cf. John 1:1), and Jesus as the Word (cf. John 1:14), thereby recognizing Jesus as God (cf. John 10:30). Christ’s deity is further evident in John 1:3–5, 9–11 as John refers to Jesus as the Creator. John writes two times that the world did not recognize or receive Jesus as God (cf. John 1:5, 10–11). This lack of belief explains John’s purpose for writing. However, some did believe in Jesus, for John writes of those “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12–13). In this chapter John the Baptist is referred to at John 1:6–8, and again at John 1:15, 19–34.

Incarnation of Christ (1:14–18)

It is interesting that unlike Matthew and Luke, the Gospel of John has no detailed birth narrative about Jesus. Rather, John 1:9–11 simply refers to Christ as coming into the world, and visiting His own people, who did not recognize Him. John 1:14–18 does give some details about Jesus’ incarnation; however, these details are theological in nature, as John writes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The idea that Christ is the only begotten Son is not a reference to time, but to position. Said differently, John is not referring to the chronology of Jesus’ life, but to the authority of Jesus’ Being. Indeed, in biblical times, the firstborn son was the one who received the birthright from the father. Because God the Father is full of glory, grace, and truth, so is God the Son.

Witness of Christ (1:19–51)

The Synoptic Gospels contain more information about John the Baptist than does the Gospel of John. Nevertheless, John the Baptist is a prominent figure in John 1. Since this Gospel is evangelistic, John repeatedly refers to John the Baptist in this first chapter, for John was a witness of Jesus’ life, ministry, and message. Indeed, the intent of John the Baptist’s ministry was “to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe” (John 1:7). Next, John 1:19–34 records an interaction between John the Baptist and the religious leaders. These leaders wanted to know about John’s identity—specifically whether he was the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet—as well as why John baptized. John replied that his ministry was preparatory for the coming Messiah. Finally, John 1:35–51 records the calling of four of Jesus’ apostles: Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel.

Application Questions:

1. What do you know about the book of John? What verses, passages, or general topics from this book come to mind?
2. Who did the work of creation: God the Father, God the Son, or God the Spirit (cf. Gen. 1:1; Job 33:4; John 1:3, 10; Col. 1:16)?
3. What does John mean as he writes about receiving the fullness of Christ and obtaining grace for grace (cf. John 1:16)?
4. Why did the religious leaders not understand John the Baptist’s identity, as well as why he was baptizing in the wilderness?
5. Why does John not include an account, as do Matthew and Luke, about Jesus’ birth and pre-ministry life?