NLT Study Bible - Gospel of John - Flipbook - Page 5
John Introduction
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of the world. John’s clear message is that Jesus came to fulfill what
Judaism had promised since OT times.
Then Jesus began to prepare for his death and resurrection. John describes Jesus’ arrival in Bethany, a town just east of Jerusalem (ch 11).
His friend Lazarus had died, and Jesus raised him to life. Following
this event (ch 12), Jesus made his final public appeal to the world to
believe in him and his mission.
Chapters 13–21. John turns to Jesus’ death and resurrection, reminding readers that the cross is not a sign of despair but a picture of glory
and wonder. Jesus was returning to the Father and needed to prepare
his disciples for his departure. At his final Passover meal (chs 13–17),
Jesus disclosed to his disciples the things nearest to his heart. He
told them candidly about his death and departure to the Father. He
reassured them that he would not abandon them, but that he would
return and turn their sorrow into joy. He promised them the gift of the
Holy Spirit. Finally, Jesus prayed for them.
Following this Passover meal, Jesus led his followers east of the city
and across a valley to an olive grove called Gethsemane (ch 18). Judas
soon appeared with a large contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple
guards. Following his arrest, Jesus stood before the Jewish high council
to be interrogated, first by Annas and then by Caiaphas, the reigning
high priest. By morning, the Jewish leaders took Jesus to the Roman
governor, Pontius Pilate, who asked probing questions about Jesus’
identity. Pilate, coaxed by the Jewish leaders, decided to crucify Jesus
(ch 19).
The climax of John’s Gospel is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead
(ch 20). This event begins a series of dramatic stories in which Jesus
appeared to his followers and encouraged them. He gave them the
Holy Spirit and commissioned them to represent him to the world.
Jesus then gave his disciples their marching orders (ch 21). He reminded them of his power (21:1-14), reinstated Peter (21:15-17), and
instructed him to follow him in his mission (21:18-23).
Author and Date
As with the other Gospels, John provides no explicit evidence as to
its author, although the enigmatic figure of the “beloved disciple”
provides clear clues (see 13:23; 19:26-27; 20:2-10; 21:7, 20-24). The
Gospel of John must be connected with this person, for he is identified
as the eyewitness source of this record of Jesus’ life (19:35; 21:24).
Who was this beloved disciple? Leaders in the early church, beginning in AD 125, wrote that it was the apostle John, the son of Zebedee
(see, e.g., Eusebius, Church History 3.23). This traditional view is sound
and fully defensible. John was one of the Twelve and, along with
James (his brother) and Peter, formed an inner circle around Jesus
(Mark 3:17; Acts 1:13). The Gospel reflects this close perspective as it
highlights Peter and John. Most scholars believe that John completed
writing his Gospel by AD 90.
The truth which this
Gospel enshrines—
the truth that Jesus
Christ is the very
Word Incarnate—
[is] the one study
which alone can
fitly prepare us for
a joyful immortality
Recipients
hereafter. John most likely wrote his Gospel for Jewish Christians living abroad
J. B. Lightfoot, in the Mediterranean world; with their grasp of Hebrew slipping,
Biblical Essays these believers were caught between the Jewish and Greek cultures.
