The Gospel According to John

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The Gospel According to John
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Johns Gospel

• In the Synoptics, Jesus is a healer whose
  teachings deal primarily with Torah
  reinterpretation.
• John describes Jesus as a n embodiment of
  heavenly Wisdom who performs no exorcism and
  whose message centers on his own divine nature.
• Jesus is the human form of Gods celestial Word
• To John, Jesus crucifixion is not a humiliating
  ordeal (as mark characterizes it) But a
  glorification that frees Jesus to return to
  heaven.
• Rather than emphasizing the second coming, it
  argues that the risen Christ is eternally present
  in the invisible form of a surrogate, the Holy
  Spirit which continues to inspire and direct the
  believing community.

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Four Divisions of John

1. prologue Chapter 1
2. Book of Signs recounting seven miraculous deeds
   (21-1157)
3. The book of Glory. A reinterpretation of the
   Passion (121-2031)
4. Epilogue 211-25

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Date and Place of composition

• Tradition says it was written in Ephesus, and
  that is possible, though other places have been
  proposed.
• The gospel mentions Christian believers being
  expelled by synagogues (922, 34-35) and this
  process didnt happen until around 85-90 CE. This
  suggests that the decisive break between the
  church and the synagogue was already in effect
  when the Gospel was written.
• Also, it couldnt have been too late because
  fragments from Johns gospel have been found in
  Northern Egypt and dated at about 125-150CE. For
  the Gospel to have spread that far by that time,
  it must have been composed earlier.
• For these reasons, its usually dates about
  90-100 CE.

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St John Fragment

• A fragment of the fourth gospel
• Fragment of St. John's gospel.
• This small fragment of St John's Gospel, less
  than nine centimetres high and containing on the
  one side part of verses 1831-33, on the other of
  verses 1837-38 of chapter xviii.
• It was originally discovered in Egypt and dated
  in the first half of the second century A.D.,
  making it the earliest known fragment of the New
  Testament in any language.
• It provides valuable evidence of the spread of
  Christianity in areas distant from the land of
  its origin it is particularly interesting to
  know that among the books read by the early
  Christians in Upper Egypt was St John's Gospel,
  commonly regarded as one of the latest of the
  books of the New Testament.

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The Writer

• Tradition says it was written by Jesus disciple
  John, brother of James at Ephesus. The same one
  believed to have written 1, 2, and 3 John and
  Revelation.
• This is unlikely because it was written late and
  because the John is never identified as the
  author within the tesxt.
• Author likes to present spiritual contrasts
  light-dark, spirit-of-error vs. spirit-of-truth.
• Chapter 21 was probably added later by an editor.

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The One Whom Jesus Loved

• The Beloved disciple.
• Early traditions say this was John, but this
  disciple is never named.
• Given credit as author (2123-24)
• Leaned on Jesus breast (1323)
• Asks Jesus Peters question about who will betray
  him.
• He was acquainted with the high priest (1815-18)
• He is only male disciple at the crucifixion and
  is entrusted with caring for Jesus mother,
  making him like Jesus brother. (1926-27)
• He outran Peter going to the tomb (202-10)
• Rumored that he wouldnt die (2120-22)

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Differences in Johns Portrait of Jesus
1 No birth story or virgin birth Emphasis on Jesus spiritual origin he is the eternal logos word of God become flesh making his manner of conception is irrelevant
2 No record of baptism Jesus independence and superiority to John the Baptist is emphasized
3 No time of temptation in the desert Johns Jesus is so unified with the Father that worldly temptation seems impossible
4 No exorcisms Jesus overcomes evil through his personal revelation of divine truth rather than through the casting out of demons (Mk Mt especially)
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Differences in Johns Portrait of Jesus
5 Never devalued by family or friends There is a little friction between Jesus and his brothers (71-6). Otherwise, he meets lots of opposition, but his character is too commanding to be devalued by anyone.
6 No short parables of the synoptic type. Rather than homely images of agriculture or domestic life, Jesus gives long philosophical speeches often focusing on his own nature. He does this both publicly and privately in Galilee and Jerusalem.
7 No reinterpretations of Mosaic Law There is a focus on only one new commandmentto love. True love is the sole distinguishing mark of a true believer.
8 No prediction of Jerusalem's fall
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Differences in Johns Portrait of Jesus
9 No prophecies of Jesus imminent return. No prophecies about signs of the coming of the end. Only two references to Jesus eventual return. Jesus is already present among believers as the Holy Spirit who is Helper, Comforter, and Advocate (1425-26, 167-15). To John, Jesus first coming means that believers have life now (512-26 1125-27). Divine judgment is a current reality, not just a future event.
10 No Last supper ritual. Instead, on the last night before his death, Jesus washes his disciples feet (131-16).
11 No agony before his death in Garden of Gethsemane Jesus remains calm and his death is his glorification. His final words are not a cry of despair as in Mark, but a pronouncement It is finished that his lifes work is accomplished.
12 The writing does not supplement or build on earlier narratives. The choice of material to include seems to be determined only by the writers special concerns (2030-31 2125).
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Wedding at Cana

• This painting by Giotto
• John 21-11)
• This is the first of Jesus' "signs" performed in
  the Gospel of John.
• the crowd at the wedding gathered around a
  table, while the steward drinks the wine. He
  obviously loves the delicious taste of the wine
  and is a connoisseur of sorts, evident by his
  large belly.

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Jesus cleanses the temple

• In Johns gospel Jesus is the New
  Temple/Tabernacle,
• He is the fulfillment of Gods promises to dwell
  among his people (cf. Exod 258, 2945-46).
• Jesus is the New Temple/Tabernacle of God who
  lifts up Israel in a radical way Jews and
  Gentiles together become as one body, the body of
  the Crucified and Risen Christ.

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Healing of the Man Born Blind

• By El Greco
• John 91-41, where Jesus comes across a man who
  has been born without sight.
• Jesus disciples question whether the man himself
  or his parents are to blame for his condition.
• Jesus responds, "Neither, he was born blind so
  that God's works may be revealed to him" (93).
• This painting portrays Jesus in the act of
  performing the miracle, the critical moment when
  Jesus applies mud to the man's eye. It is not
  obvious in this depiction, however, that Jesus
  has used spit to cure the man's blindness only
  that he has touched him.

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Washing the Disciples Feet

• By Duccio
• John 131-20.
• Similar to the Synoptic Last Supper
• Eve of Jesus' death and also that
• Jesus becomes aware that Judas Iscariot will
  betray him.
• When Simon Peter hesitates Jesus urges him that
  it is vital to his faith "Unless I wash you, you
  have no share with me" (138). Afterwards, Peter
  begs Jesus to wash his head and hands as well.
  Jesus however tell him this is not necessary, for
  the rest of him is clean.
• This painting portrays the moment when Jesus
  begins to cleanse Peter's foot and Peter
  expresses his anxiety over the bathing. Peter
  points to his head wanting that washed too. 

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Raising of Lazarus

• By Gozzoli
• John 111-44. (especially 44)
• Jesus commands Lazarus to "come out." This
  occasion occurs shortly after Jesus tells
  Lazarus' sister Martha that "I am the
  resurrection and the life. Those who believe in
  me, even though they die, will live, and everyone
  who lives and believes in me will never die"
  (1125-27).
• This miracle shows explicit evidence to Martha
  and Mary (and other people present at the scene)
  that Jesus truly is the Messiah, the Son of God.
• Lazarus had been dead for four days and Jesus
  brought him back to life.
• This painting portrays Lazarus emerging from the
  cave, bound up in strips of cloth. The two
  sisters kneel before Jesus in reverence and awe.

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Raising of Lazarus part 2

• By Rembrandt

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Crucifixion

• By Raphael
• John 1931-37.
• Only in John is Jesus side pierced.
• Raphael depicts two angels holding cups to catch
  Jesus' spilled blood.
• Another significant element of this painting is
  that Jesus' legs are in a natural position,
  evidence that they have not been broken.
• Also note the presence of Mary and "the disciple
  whom he loved."
• They kneel in close to the crucified Jesus while
  Mary Magdalene and Mary of Clopas mourn in the
  background.

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Another Crucifixion scene from John
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Doubting Thomas

• The situation emphasizes the value of faith
  without having to experience Jesus yourself.

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A different order of events
The Synoptics John
1 Jesus mainly works in Galilee and comes to Judea only in his last days Jesus travels back and forth between Judea (Jerusalem) and Galilee often during his ministry.
2 Assault on the temple comes at the end of Jesus career. Assault of the temple comes at the beginning of Jesus career (213-21)
3 Jesus began his ministry after John the Baptists imprisonment Their ministries overlapped
4 Only mention one Passover and imply that Jesus ministry lasted about one year Three Passovers are mentioned (213, 64, 1155) thereby making Jesus ministry 3-4 years.
5 Last supper is presented as a Passover celebration Final meal with disciples occurs on the evening before Passover. The Crucifixion happens on the day when the Passover lamb was slaughtered.