John

The Book of John, also known as the Gospel of John, is the fourth book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible. It presents a distinct and deeply theological portrait of Jesus Christ, differing in structure and content from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Written by John the Apostle, whom tradition identifies as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," the Gospel is believed to have been composed between 90 and 110 AD. Its primary audience were early Christians, including both Jews and Gentiles, and its purpose was to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and through believing in Him, one may have eternal life. John's Gospel is characterized by its high Christology, emphasizing Jesus' divine nature more explicitly than the Synoptic Gospels. It presents Jesus as the Logos, the Word made flesh, who existed with God from the beginning and took on human form to dwell among humanity. The book is structured around seven "signs" or miracles performed by Jesus, such as turning water into wine at Cana and raising Lazarus from the dead, and seven "I am" statements, where Jesus identifies Himself with divine attributes, including "I am the bread of life," and "I am the resurrection and the life." The Gospel of John also contains detailed accounts not found in the other Gospels, including the wedding at Cana, the conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, and the raising of Lazarus. The book focuses significantly on Jesus' teachings and discourses, particularly His farewell discourse to His disciples before His crucifixion and His in-depth discussions on the coming of the Holy Spirit. John's narrative culminates in the Passion, Resurrection, and post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus. Unique to John is the detailed account of Jesus' appearance to Thomas and the disciples at the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, highlighting the theme of belief and the blessing for those who have not seen yet have believed. The Book of John concludes with an affirmation of its purpose: to record these events so that readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing, they may have life in His name. It stands as a profound testament to Jesus' identity as the source of eternal life and the light of the world, offering deep insights into Christian theology and the nature of faith.