StudyJesus.com Jesus Christ in the Writings of John
 
Brief Analysis of John's Gospel

Writings of John Home | Next Page: The Apostle John

The word "Father" occurs 140 times in this Gospel.

The name "Jesus" is found in John 242 times, 99 times more than in Matthew, and 158 times more than in Luke, showing how closely John keeps to his object of writing about the person of Jesus. He also uses other names of Jesus, as "the Son" 19 times, "the Son of God" 9 times, "the Son of man" 13 times, "the Life" 22 times, and "the Light" 25 times, besides the names "the Holy One of God," "the Lamb of God," and "the King of Israel," 333 times in all.

John enumerates the claims of Jesus as follows:

  1. He claims to be a perfect teacher.
  2. To set a perfect example, to be the model Man for the race.
  3. To be a perfectly sinless being.
  4. That all men should love and obey Him.
  5. To work miracles as no other man ever did.
  6. That in Him the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled.
  7. That He Himself would rise from the dead.
  8. To be the final Judge of the world. To which should be added,
  9. The Word of God.
  10. The Only begotten Son of God.

The method of proof by witnesses and signs

The witness is the testimony of competent persons who told what they knew --- the Father, Jesus, John the Baptist, the apostles, who were intimate with Jesus, and others who saw and heard and experienced. The word "witness" is found 76 times in this Gospel; and the two Greek words meaning "to know" are used 131 times --- 'oida,' "to know," 79 times, and 'ginosko,' "to know thoroughly," 52 times.

The signs were miracles, acts of supernatural power worthy of the Son of God, Credentials of His Divine Commission, Symbols and Emblems and Object-lessons of the Great Truths He taught.

John, having before him the other Gospels, selects from the many things he had seen and heard from Jesus during years of most intimate communion with Him, those signs and testimonies and teachings which best revealed the nature of Jesus and His revelation of the Father.

    Witness of John and others (Jn. 1:6-9, 15-51).
        1. Sign.  The wedding in Cana (Jn. 2:1-11).
    Witness of Jesus in the temple (Jn. 2:12-25).
    Witness to Nicodemus.  The new birth (Jn. 3:1-21).
    Witness of John.  Second witness (Jn. 3:22-36).
    Witness to the Samaritans (Jn. 4:1-42).
        2.  Sign.  The nobleman's son.  Cana and Capernaum (Jn. 4:43-54).
        3.. Sign.  At Pool of Bethesda --- and
    Witness arising therefrom (Jn. 5:1-47).
        4.  Sign.  Multiplication of loaves and fishes, and
    Witness at the Feast of Tabernacles.  Life and light (Jn. 7:1-8:59).
        5.   Sign.  Sight to the blind (Jn. 9:1-41).
    Witness to resurrection and life (Jn. 11:1-57).
    Witness.  Triumphal entry to many in the temple (Jn. 12:1-50).
    Witness of Jesus to His own disciples.  Last supper and discourses (Jn. 13-17).
    Witness of the crucifixion --- infinite love and forgiveness (Jn. 18, 19).
    Witness of the resurrection.  Immortal life.  The ever-lasting Savior (Jn. 20, 21).

Back to top | Writings of John Home | Next Page: The Apostle John


Home | Easy to Read | John's Jesus | Synoptic Study | Online Bible | A Religion Library | Kid's Korner | Feedback | Mission & Philosophy | Additional Resources

Copyright © 2001 StudyJesus.com. Permissions and restrictions.