The Gospel of John - A Guide to the Teachings and Works of Apostle John

I.       Introduction

In the New Testament, the four gospel books were written for the purpose of proving that Jesus is the Savior and the Lord.

The first three books in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are considered to be synoptic gospel books.  Each book contains detailed description concerning the birth of Jesus, His ministry, teachings, miracles performed, sufferings, resurrection, ascension and so forth.  Together, these three books cover the same event but from three different points of view.  To better understand the story of Jesus in exact accounts, it is very beneficial to use these three books as references, since they can cover all aspects of His life.  If one is able to gather all the information on the life of Jesus from these three books, one’s understanding towards the Lord Jesus Christ will be further enlighten.

The book of Mt was addressed to the Jews to describe and prove to them that Jesus was the Savior God promised to Abraham and King David (Mt 1:1-25).  The book of Mk was written for the Rom whereas the book of Lk was addressed to the Greeks.  The main theme in each book is the same – to prove that Jesus is the Christ and Messiah and that those who believe shall be saved while those who do not will be condemned (Mk 16:15-16, Mt 28:18-19, Lk 24:44-49).

The author of the Book of John had the same purpose in mind as the other authors of the synoptic gospel books.  Its contents are addressed to the members and non-members of the apostolic church as well as readers of all times.  The Synoptic books deal with acts and deeds of Jesus in detailed description but the Book of John tends to emphasize more on the God like figure of Jesus.  The Bible is written by many authors, all dictated by God.  (II Tim 3:16)  The Holy Spirit moves within the author to write about the human nature of Jesus as well as his God-like nature, so that all may be able to recognize that Jesus is the Savior and the True God.  So that all those who believe in Him may be able to receive and inherit the eternal life. (Jn 20:31)

II.    Author

(The disciple whom Jesus loved) John 21:20-24.  The disciple whom Jesus loved is the author of this book.  He is the disciple John who was among the original twelve.  His father is named Zebedee, his mother is Salomi.  Salomi was the sister of Mary. (Mt 27:56)  John’s brother was Jas.  (Mt 4:21-22)  In his youth, John had a very bad temper.  He was considered among the disciples as the son of thunder.  Later, being renewed by the Holy Spirit, he was referred to as the apostle of love. (Lk 9:49)  John was also the only disciple who followed Jesus to the Crucifixion.  During His last hours, Jesus also entrusted to John the responsibility of taking care of His mother. (Jn 19:26)  John was considered to be one of the three main pillars of the apostolic church. (Gal 2:9)  After the death of Mary, the mother of Jesus, John lived in Ephesus to complete the writings of the book of John as well as other documents.  At the time of Domitian, John was then exiled to the island of Patmos.  There he received revelations from God.  Being inspired, he then wrote the book of Revelations. (Rev.1:9)  The time when he wrote the book of John was approximately 90 A. D.

III. Main points of each chapter

A.     Chapter One

1.        Vs 1-5,14       

In the beginning, the Word became flesh.

2.        Vs 6-18          

John the Baptist’s witness and testimony concerning Jesus Christ.

3.        Vs 19-28        

John the Baptist says he is not the Savior.

4.        Vs 29-34        

John the Baptist introduces that Jesus is the Lamb of God.

5.        Vs 35-42        

Andrew and Simon Peter follow Jesus.

6.        Vs 43-51        

Invites Nathaniel as a disciple.

B.     Chapter Two

1.        Vs 1-12          

In Cana, Jesus performs his first miracle.

2.        Vs 13-17        

Jesus cleanses the temple.

3.        Vs 18-51        

Jesus makes a reference of the temple to his own body.

C.     Chapter Three

1.        Vs 1-15          

Jesus talks with Nicodemus concerning rebirth.

2.        Vs 16-21        

God loves all mankind.

3.        Vs 22-30        

John the Baptist says that he shall become less and He shall become more.

4.        Vs 31-36        

Those who believe shall receive eternal life.

D.     Chapter Four

1.        Vs 1-30, 39-42               

Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman.

2.        Vs 31-38        

Jesus considers doing the will of the Lord as his food.

3.        Vs 43-45        

A prophet is not honored in his town.

4.        Vs 46-54        

Healing the son of a city official.

E.     Chapter Five

1.        Vs 1-9            

Healing the woman of issuing of blood for 38 years.

2.        Vs 10-18        

Jews criticizes Jesus for disobeying the Sabbath.

3.        Vs 19-38        

Tells others to obey the Heavenly Father.

4.        Vs 39-47        

Bible testifies on behalf of Jesus.

F.      Chapter Six

1.        Vs 1-15          

Five loaves and two fish feed the 5,000.

2.        Vs 16-23        

Jesus walks on the sea.

3.        Vs 24-51        

Striving for the everlasting food.

4.        Vs 52-65        

Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus will have eternal life.

5.        Vs 66-71        

Peter recognizes the way to eternal life.

G.     Chapter Seven

1.        Vs 1-9            

The brothers of Jesus do not believe in him.

2.        Vs 10-29        

The multitude talks about Jesus.

3.        Vs 30-36, 45-52             

High priest plans to capture Jesus.

4.        Vs 37-44        

Those who thirst should seek after Jesus.

H.    Chapter Eight

1.        Vs 1-11          

An adulterous woman brought before Jesus.

2.        Vs 12-20        

Jesus is the light of the world.

3.        Vs 21-30        

Those who do not believe in Jesus are steeped in sin.

4.        Vs 31-41        

The Truth shall give freedom.

5.        Vs 42-55        

Those belonging to the Lord will listen to his Words.

6.        Vs 56-59        

Before Abraham, Jesus is.

I.       Chapter Nine

1.        Vs 1-12          

Healing blind from birth

2.        Vs 13-34        

Pharisees cross-examine the blind who was healed.

3.        Vs 35-41        

Jesus receives the blind who was cast out.

J.      Chapter Ten

1.        Vs 1-10          

The parable of the sheepfold.

2.        Vs 11-29        

Jesus is the good shepherd.

3.        Vs 30-42        

Jesus and the Father are one.

K.    Chapter Eleven

1.        Vs 1-16          

Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick.

2.        Vs 17-32        

Resurrection is within the Lord.

3.        Vs 33-46

Jesus makes Lazarus rise from the dead.

4.        Vs 47-57        

Pharisees planned to kill Jesus.

L.     Chapter Twelve

1.        Vs 1-11          

Mark anoints Jesus with perfume.

2.        Vs 12-22        

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

3.        Vs 23-50        

Jesus foretells his death.

M.   Chapter Thirteen

1.        Vs 1-17          

Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.

2.        Vs 18-30        

Jesus points out his betrayer.

3.        Vs 31-35        

Jesus gives a new commandment.

4.        Vs 36-38        

Foretells that Peter will deny Jesus three times.

N.     Chapter Fourteen

1.        Vs 1-5

In the house of the Father are many rooms.

2.        Vs 6-15          

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

3.        Vs 16-20

Promises to send a counselor.

4.        Vs 21-31        

Those who love the Lord will keep his ways.

O.    Chapter Fifteen

1.        Vs 1-8            

Jesus is the True Vine.

2.        Vs 9-17          

Imitate the love of the Lord.

3.        Vs 18-27        

Those who hate the Lord will hate those who believe in Him.

P.      Chapter Sixteen

1.        Vs 1-11          

The work of the Holy Spirit.

2.        Vs 12-22        

Holy Spirit will guide the disciples to the Truth.

3.        Vs 23-33        

Asking on behalf of the name of Jesus will be answered.

Q.    Chapter Seventeen

1.        Vs 1-26          

The departing prayer.

R.     Chapter Eighteen

1.        Vs 1-14          

Jesus is captured.

2.        Vs 15-32        

Peter denies Jesus three times.

3.        Vs 33-40        

Jesus is examined before Pilate.

S.      Chapter Nineteen

1.        Vs 1-16          

Jesus is ridiculed.

2.        Vs 17-24        

Jesus is crucified on the cross.

3.        Vs 25-30        

Asks John to take care of his mother.

4.        Vs 31-37        

Not a bone on his body shall be broken.

5.        Vs 38-42        

Jesus is placed in a new tomb.

T.     Chapter Twenty

1.        Vs 1-10          

Mary visits the tomb of Jesus.

2.        Vs 11-23        

Witness the resurrection of Jesus.

3.        Vs 24-31        

Thomas doubts.

U.     Chapter Twenty-one

1.        Vs 1-14          

Jesus appears on the Sea of Galilee.

2.        Vs 15-23        

Jesus entrusts duty to Peter.

3.        Vs 24-25        

Author of John presents himself.

IV.  Discussions:

A.     Please list out all the passages that contain (the disciple whom Jesus loves, one disciple, this disciple….):

1.        Example: (Jn 13:21-30)

B.     Please list out all the miracles that Jesus performed in the Gospel of John:

1.        Example: (Jn 2:1-11)     

Water turned into wine

C.     Please list out the parables that were mentioned in the Gospel of John:

1.        Example: (Jn 12:24)      

A kernel of wheat

D.     Please list out all the “I am” that were recorded in the Gospel of John:

1.        Example: (Jn 6:35)        

I am the breed of life.

E.     Please list out all the phrases that said “Truly, truly, I say unto you…”:

1.        Example: (Jn 1:51)

“Truly, truly, I say unto you…”