Kress Biblical Resources :: Introductory Matters

Introductory Matters of the Gospel of John

1. The author (Jhn 1:14, 21; Jhn 21:2, 7, 20-24; cf. Jhn 13:23-24; Jhn 18:15-16; Jhn 19:26, 35; Jhn 20:2)
   1. The human author
      1. He was an eyewitness of Christ's glory (Jhn 1:14; cf. 1Jo 1:1-4)
      2. He is specifically identified as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”—otherwise unnamed (Jhn 21:7, 20-24; see however the options according to Jhn 21:2—Peter [ruled out by the context], Thomas, Nathanael, the two Sons of Zebedee, and two unnamed disciples; see also Jhn 13:23-24; Jhn 18:15-16; Jhn 19:26, 35; Jhn 20:2). Peter, James, and John were consistently seen as the disciples with the closest access to Christ and greatest revelation from Christ (Mark 5:37-38; Mark 9:2-3; Mark 14:33ff). Peter is clearly not the author. James died well before the writing of John (Act 12:2). This would strongly imply that John, the Son of Zebedee, the brother of James is the author of the fourth Gospel.
      3. He used similar vocabulary, grammar, and style as that used in 1 John (compare for example Jhn 16:24 with 1Jo 1:4; Jhn 3:36 with 1Jo 5:12; Jhn 8:47 with 1Jo 4:6)
      4. Early church historians identify the author as the former fisherman, John the Son of Zebedee.
      5. Conclusion: Union with Jesus Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (Jhn 14:16, 17; Jhn 16:13) had turned an unforgiving (Luk 9:49–56), ambitious, self-seeking (Mar 10:35–45), and sometimes hostile man, once identified as a “Son of Thunder” (Mar 3:17), into the Apostle of love (note the emphasis of love in Jhn 13; 1Jo 2:7–11; 1Jo 3:10–24; 1Jo 4:7–12; 2Jo 1; 3Jo 1).
   2. The Divine Author (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:20-21)
2. The audience
   1. The original recipients
      1. Very likely a mixed Gentile and Jewish audience as Jewish words and customs were interpreted or explained (Jhn 1:38, 41–42; Jhn 5:2; Jhn 9:7; Jhn 19:13, 17; Jhn 20:16), and yet there are many OT allusions and or types referenced as fulfilled in Christ (see Jhn 1:29; Jhn 1:51 [cf. Gen 28]; Jhn 2:1-11 [cf. Gen 49:10-12]; Jhn 2:19-21; Jhn 3:4ff; Jhn 3:14; Jhn 6:35ff; Jhn 8:58; Jhn 10:1ff)
      2. Both unbelievers and believers (Jhn 20:31)
   2. The current recipients (Jhn 20:31; 2Ti 3:16-17)
3. The aim
   1. To call for and cultivate genuine trust in Christ as Son of God and the Source of eternal life (Jhn 20:30-31)
   2. To reveal the glory of Jesus Christ as God incarnate and point to Him as the only Source of divine light and life (Jhn 1:1-18; Jhn 20:28-29)
   3. Summary: The Word of God, Jesus Christ the Son of God has come to bring light and eternal life—believe in Him