Book introduction
The book of John
John tells Jesus’ story differently from the other three Gospels. It opens before creation (“In the beginning was the Word”), is built around seven signs and seven “I am” sayings, and gives long chapters to Jesus’ last night with his disciples. It says why it was written: so you may believe.
Who wrote John?
The book credits “the disciple whom Jesus loved” as its source. Tradition names the apostle John. Many scholars think a community around this disciple shaped the final text; others hold that John wrote it.
When was it written?
Most date it to about AD 90–100.
Main themes
- Jesus is God made flesh
- The Word who was with God became human.
- Believe and live
- Belief leads to eternal life.
- Love one another
- Jesus washes feet and gives a new command.
Outline of John
Key verses
The Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us. We looked on his glory, glory like that of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.
For God loved the world in this way: he gave his Son, the one and only, so that whoever believes in him would not perish but would have eternal life.
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Many people start here. Read chapter 1, then 3 and 11.
How well do you know John?
Ten questions on the book of John, from ““In the beginning was the…”” on. Each answer shows its verse.
Ask about this book
Questions about John?
Lumin answers in a few sentences and shows each verse it cites in full.
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