THE GOSPEL OF JOHN–AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
AN  INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS

There are four accounts of the Gospel, which tell the history of the birth, life and death of Jesus. Not one of them gives a complete picture, nor do they give an exhaustive biography, John 21:25. All of them are necessary in order to give a complete record. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels because they have more in common. The record of John is different from the others, yet not one contradicts the others; rather, they complement one another. Each of them represents a distinct view of Christ:

A. Matthew writes to the Jews and shows Christ as the King of Israel. His is the gospel of the kingdom. He pictures Christ as the Son of David.

B. Mark writes to the Romans, and shows Jesus as the “Servant of Jehovah,” and proves Him to be the Son of God by His works. The gospel of Mark is vivid and precise in details. Without doubt Peter furnished the details for this gospel, and at times this gospel is called the “Gospel according to Peter.”

C. Luke writes to all men, and shows the relationship of Christ to man; consequently, he traces the genealogy of Christ to Adam. He shows Christ as the Son of Man – the True Man. Luke was, possibly, the only Gentile writer in the New Testament, and also the only medical doctor, Colossians 4:14; thus, many medical terms appear in his gospel.

D. John writes his gospel to the believer, chap. 20:31, and this explains, in part, why it is the favorite of all the Gospels. He writes to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, and therefore, he returns to “the beginning,” chap. 1:1. He presents Christ as the Celestial One, and his theme is the Divinity of the Savior; consequently, his point of view is more elevated than the other three, who see Christ more in His human relationships. John omits much that the synoptic gospels record, but he also records many things the others omit. By this gospel only, do we know that the ministry of Jesus lasted three years.

The Author: John, the son of Zebedee, and the younger brother of James, (Mark 14:51 –found to be John; and he is generally mentioned after James when they are mentioned together). This family was, evidently, above the average in possessions and social position, for:

A. The fishing business of the family was large enough to have servants, Mark 1:20.

B. His mother, Salome, was distinguished for ministering to Jesus of their material substance, Luke 8:2-3; Mark 15:40; 16:1.

C. He was known personally by the High Priest, John 18:15-16.

D. John had his own home in which Jesus committed the care of His mother after His death, John 19:26-27.

a. John was the closest to Jesus in affection. On five occasions he is called “the one, who Jesus loved,” John 13:23; 19:23, 26; 20:2; 21:7, 20. It was he who was the human instrument that God used to write this gospel.

b. Like his brother James, he was called Boanerges – sons of thunder, which might mean that they were of a tempestuous nature; however, John soon came to be known as the apostle of love. “Love” is one of the words that characterize his writings. John was originally a disciple of John the Baptist as were all of the twelve apostles, Acts 1:21-22.

CONCLUSION