By T. W. Parker

Enriching perspective: John’s Gospel, by presenting the same story from a unique angle, adds a stereoscopic depth to the picture of Jesus. This distinct perspective, not found in the Synoptic Gospels, is sure to intrigue and engage theologians, students of theology, and individuals interested in biblical studies.

The Son of God: Fundamental to all else that is said of Him, Jesus is peculiarly the Son of God, or simply the Son. He is functionally submissive to the Father and does and says only those things the Father gives Him to do and say, but He does everything that the Father does (5:19-30). Jesus discloses nothing more and nothing less than the words and deeds of God.

The Cross: Despite the heavy emphasis on Jesus as the one who reveals His Father, salvation does not come merely by revelation (as in Gnosticism, see John 1-3). The movement of the plot is toward the cross and resurrection. The cross is not merely a revelatory moment. It is the victory of the Lamb of God (1:29,36), the life that is given for the world (6:25-58), the death of the shepherd for His sheep (10:11-18), the sacrifice of one man for His nation (11:50-52), and the triumph of the obedient Son, who by His death, resurrection, and ascension gives us life, peace, joy, and the Spirit (Chapter. 14-16).

The tension between.”already” and “not yet:”  All the major (NT) writings display the tension that (1) God’s promised “last days” have already arrived in Jesus’ ministry, death, resurrection, and exaltation, and (2) the fullness of hope is not yet here but still to come. Moreover, different authors display this tension in different ways. John’s distinctive emphasis is bound up with his use of the “present and future” theme (2:4, 7:6). Believers have already “crossed over from death to life” (5:24). The hour “is coming and has now come” (4:23, 5:25). Jesus has given His peace. However, in this world, we will have trouble (16:33). Also, in the wake of Jesus’ exaltation and His gift of the Spirit, we can possess eternal life right now, but this is never at the expense of all future hope (5:28-30).   

The Holy Spirit: By giving the Spirit, Jesus introduces what is characteristic of the New Covenant. This profound insight into the role of the Holy Spirit, as presented in John’s Gospel, is sure to enlighten and inspire theologians, students of theology, and individuals interested in biblical studies.

The use of the Old Testament: Although John does not cite the (OT) as frequently as Matthew does, his use of the (OT) is characterized by an extraordinary number of allusions and, above all, by his insistence that Jesus, in certain respects, replaces or fulfills revered figures and institutions from the Old Covenant such as the (tabernacle, temple, serpent, Passover, vine, and Moses). Further, six passages say that Scripture or some (OT) writer speaks or writes of Christ, though John does not cite specific passages (1:45, 2:22, 3:10-15, 5:39, 45-46, 20:9).

Misunderstandings: People frequently misunderstand Jesus (note, 2:19-22, 4:11-12.31-33, 5:46, 6:28, 7:35-36, 8:19, 21-22, 33, 52-53, 57, 10:6, 11:11-14, 12:16, 13:6-10, 14:5, 16:17-19, 29-30, 18:11), and John skillfully employs irony concerning this (see, 5:12, 46:42, 7:3-4, 27, 35, 41, 47-48, 49, 8:21-22, 41, 53, 54, 10:33, 13:38, 18:28, 35, 19:3, 22, 31). No Gospel better preserves how Jesus’ contemporaries, including his disciples, misunderstood Him until after His exaltation. Indeed, this is significant for reflecting on the relationship between the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT).

The people of God: John devotes much attention to the concept of belonging to the people of God. This emphasis on the people of God, their election, life, origin, nature, witness, suffering, fruit-bearing, prayer, love, and unity, is sure to make theologians, students of theology, and individuals interested in biblical studies feel valued and included in the divine plan.

Vocabulary: John, in certain respects and relatively restricted topics, provides greater depth than the Synoptic Gospels. This is a significant reason that John uses a smaller vocabulary than that found in the Synoptic Gospels; John uses specific words and expressions repeatedly, such as (believe, love, world, send, and Father), to reflect important themes.

God’s sovereignty and human responsibility: John repeatedly explores the complexities that bind together election, faith, and the function of signs. Suppose faith bursts forth as a consequence of what is revealed in the signs. In that case, signs legitimately serve as a basis for faith (10:38). Yet, in contrast, Jesus rebukes people for depending on signs (4:48). Finally, faith turns on sovereign election by the Son (15:16) and on being part of the Father’s gift to the Son (6:37-44). As a result, this truth is at the heart of a book that is persistently evangelistic.   

Next week we will examine the first chapter of (John 1:1-18). The Word Became Flesh and what it means for humanity!