It is more likely at least a couple of well-educated disciples of the Apostle John wrote and fine-tuned this Gospel in his name, reflecting John’s teachings about Christ (15:27; 19:35; 21:24), known as the Johannine tradition.
While the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke focus on recounting the historical highlights in Jesus’ life and ministry, the editors of the Gospel of John have carefully woven together selected accounts of Christ’s miracles and discourses along with symbolic imagery to convey the truth about Jesus’ divinity: He is not only the Son of Man but also, the Son of God, Creator of the universe and the Light in humanity’s dark world (1:1-5). This Gospel was written that all might believe in Christ as the Son of God and accept life in his Name (20:30-31).
This Gospel begins with a poetic theological prologue (1:1-18) identifying Christ with the Word, which is God. Unlike the Devil, the father of lies (8:44), the “Word” is truthful and faithful, and can be trusted to fulfill his promises to us (7:18; 8:26,28,40). Dozens of times, Christ begins his statements with, “I tell you the truth” or a similar phrase (e.g., 5:24; 8:51).
God identified himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” or simply, “I AM” (Exod. 3:14), so the writers of this Gospel link Christ to the “I AM“ (8:58) in many metaphorical statements throughout the text, including I am “He” or the “one I claim to be” (8:24,28; 13:19; 18:5-6,8; compare Isa. 42:8; 43:10-13), “bread of life” (6:35,41,48-51), “resurrection and the life” (11:25), “light of men” or “the world” (1:4; 8:12; 9:5), “way and the truth and the life” (14:6), “gate” (10:7,9), “true vine” or “vine” (15:1,5), and “good shepherd” (10:11,14).
The editors documented eight miracles as evidence of Jesus’ divine authority and power (2:11,23; 4:48; 10:38), including turning water into wine (2:1-11) and raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-45), both exclusive to this Gospel. Christ’s greatest miracle proving his divine identity was his resurrection as evidenced by his empty tomb and post-resurrection appearances (chapters 20-21).
The Gospel of John might be considered as the Gospel of the 3-L’s, proclaiming that Christ is Love, Light and Life. The text ends with Jesus asking Peter, if he loves him and if so, to follow him through a life of service (21:15-17,19,22). We are called to be a reflection of Christ’s love, light and life. This is what distinguishes us as his disciples (John 13:34-35).
NOTES: John and his brother James were apostles. The unnamed disciple in 1:40 and the reference to the disciple Jesus loved (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:20) were likely John. Due to his earlier association with John the Baptist, this Gospel provides more detail about the Baptist’s testimony on Jesus (1:6-8,15,19-36; 3:23-36; 5:31-36; 10:40-42). Later, John served as a church leader in Jerusalem and Asia Minor. Emperor Domitian banished John to the Island of Patmos, where criminals and political dissenters were interned. After Domitian’s assassination in A.D. 96, his successor, Emperor Nerva recalled John from exile. He returned to Ephesus, where he died peacefully around A.D. 100. His feast day is December 27.
Walking with Jesus Series, Refl. #130, Dec. 2025
Copyright © 2025 by Christopher Clark