Introduction to John

Author
The Apostle John is usually credited with the authorship of the fourth Gospel. First, the author had to have been an eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus (1:14; 19:35; 21:24). He would have also had a decent familiarity with Palestine before the destruction of the temple in AD 70, and would have been familiar with the Jewish way of life.

Early tradition also identifies the author as John. Irenaeus, a disciple of John's disciple Polycarp, is one of the earliest to associate John with the fourth Gospel. Like the other Gospels, the title "According to John" (KATA IWANNHN) is found in the earliest manuscripts.

Date and Location of Composition
John's Gospel is considered the last of the four canonical Gospels to be written. The majority of scholars date the Gospel in the period AD 90-100, though some have dated it much earlier.

Early church tradition suggests that John composed his Gospel in Ephesus (Asia Minor). An example of this is the testimony of Irenaeus: "Then John, the disciple of the Lord, who had even rested on his breast, himself also gave forth the Gospel, while he was living at Ephesus in Asia."

Purpose and Audience
John specifically states his purpose in 20:31, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Eusebius argued that John wrote in order to complement the Synoptics where they were lacking, while the Muratorian Canon suggested that his fellow disciples in Asia Minor urged him to write an account.

Themes and Theology
John presents man as belonging to one of two things: the darkness or the light. There is no in between. The darkness is associated with death, while the light is associated with life. This theme is developed throughout the Gospel.

One of the overriding themes throughout the New Testament is that Jesus is the Messiah. In presenting this, John's Gospel also makes it clear that Jesus is God (1:1, 8:57-58 with Exodus 3:14, 10:30-33, 20:28.)
Literary Style, Structure, and Other Issues

The Gospel of John varies from the Synoptic Gospels in many ways. J. Ramsey Michaels categorizes them into two types of variation: 1) the style and content of Jesus' teaching, and 2) the chronology and structure of Jesus' ministry. Another characteristic that sets John apart is his writing style. Concerning this, Clement of Alexandria stated that John was concerned with details and wrote a "spiritual gospel."

Outline
1:1-2:11 - Birth and Preparation
2:12-12:50 - Message and Ministry
13:1-21:25 - Death and Resurrection

Source: "The Gospel According to John," New Testament Introductions. Outline from www.christianity.about.com

The Seven Signs of John
1. Turning water into wine (2:1-12)
2. Healing the noblewoman's son (4:46-54)
3. Healing the man at Bethesda (5:1-47)
4. Feeding the 5000 (6:1-4)
5. Walking on Water (6:15-21)
6. Healing the Blind Man (9:1-41)
7. Raising of Lazarus (11:1-57)
GREATEST SIGN: Christ's Resurrection (2:18-22; 20:8-9)

Seven "I AM" Statements
1. I AM the Bread of Life (6:35)
2. I AM the Light of the World (8:12)
3. Before Abraham was, I AM (8:58)
4. I AM the Good Shepherd (10:11)
5. I AM the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
6. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6)
7. I AM the True Vine (15:1)