JOHN BOOK OVERVIEW
NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL: JOHN’S ACCOUNT OF JESUS
The Gospel of John is attributed to one of Jesus’ closest disciples, John. Throughout the account, John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:7), emphasizing his intimate relationship with Christ. Because John witnessed more of Jesus’ life than the other gospel writers, John’s account contains unique stories that only a close follower of Jesus could recall.
Instead of focusing on a specific readership, John wrote so that all people would know that Jesus is the Savior. The book highlights Jesus’ divine nature, showing His deity as the Son of God and the Word of God. John emphasizes the importance of belief and argues that Jesus alone is the way to eternal life with God. John also authored the books of 1, 2, and 3 John and Revelation.
MAIN IDEAS: JESUS PROVIDES A FULL + ETERNAL LIFE
God loves humanity so much that He provided His Son as a perfect sacrifice for all sin. (John 3:16)
Despite the enemy’s efforts to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus defeated sin and death. (John 10:10)
Jesus encouraged His disciples to abide in Him and follow His commands for a joyful life. (John 15:1-11)
Post-resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples as the risen Savior. (John 20:24–29)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
In John 14:6, Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This bold statement encapsulates Jesus’ teachings and His divine role. As the perfect sacrifice for sin, Jesus serves as the intermediary between humanity and God. Because of His death on the cross, believers are restored to a right relationship with God. Through Jesus, believers find the way to God, His truth, and the abundant life He offers. He is the perfect Way, Truth, and Life!
Jesus invites believers to abide in Him and remain near to God. Jesus described this relationship by depicting Himself as a vine, believers as the branches, and God as the gardener. Jesus taught, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). Jesus desires His followers to live fruitful lives and to be defined by their love for one another. Jesus calls believers to live a life devoted to faithfulness, love, joy, and peace, and He provides them with God’s strength as their ultimate source of these fruits.
JESUS IN JOHN: THE WORD BECAME FLESH
John began his gospel by stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). John believed that Jesus had been with God since the beginning and that Jesus was present and involved in the creation of all things. John also described Jesus as the light that darkness cannot overcome.
Of the many meaningful ways that John descibed Jesus, possibly the most profound is found in John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Through Jesus, God's eternal message of love, grace, and redemption is made tangible and accessible to all. Jesus is the personification of God’s love and truth!
