Gospel of John: Background, Prologue, and Themes

Flashcards covering the background, authorship, historical dating, linguistic context, and theological themes of the Gospel of John and its prologue (John 1:1-51).

According to church tradition and Christian scholars, who is the author of the Gospel of John?

John, the son of Zebedee and disciple of Jesus.

What two key pieces of evidence do Christian scholars cite to support the disciple John's authorship of the Gospel?

Early Christian writers dating back to the 2nd century attributed it to him, and the text contains specific, overly detailed information characteristic of an eyewitness.

Which three Gospels are known as the "synoptic" Gospels, and what distinguishes them from John?

Matthew, Mark, and Luke; unlike John, they share much of the same interchangeable material and feature heavy usage of Jesus' parables and miracles.

How does John's inclusion of parables and miracles differ from the synoptic Gospels?

Typical parables are not found in John, and he documents only a handful of miracles, which are generally called "signs."

According to John 20:31, what is the stated purpose and central theme of the Gospel of John?

It is evangelistic: written so that readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they may have life in His name.

In what year was Jerusalem totally destroyed by the Romans?

A.D. 70.

Why do some scholars conclude that the Gospel of John was written before A.D. 70?

Because the total and devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the massive upheaval of Jewish life are not reflected in any way in the Gospel, suggesting Jerusalem was still standing.

If the Gospel of John was written while Jerusalem was still standing, how soon after Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection was it written?

Less than 40 years after.

Assuming John is the author, within what maximum timeframe after the events did the writing of the Gospel occur?

Easily within 70 years after the events described (prior to the turn of the 2nd century).

What is the earliest known fragment of any part of the New Testament, and what text does it contain?

A tiny manuscript fragment containing a portion of John 18, which scholars date to about AD 130.

What Old Testament passage does John 1:1 directly connect to with the phrase "In the Beginning was…"?

Genesis (Genesis 1:1).

In what language did John originally write his Gospel, and was he a native speaker of that language?

He wrote originally in Greek, though he was a non-native Greek speaker.

According to the lecture notes, what were the respective languages of the Jewish people, the street language, and the original language of Luke?

Hebrew was the language of the Jews, Aramaic was the street language, and Luke was written in Greek.

What did the term "logos" mean in ancient Greek philosophy?

The universal "reason" or "logic" that governed the entire cosmos, keeping it well ordered, structured, and consistent rather than chaotic.

How do the lecture notes define Jesus as the "logos"?

The incarnate Utterance of God communicating the way and will of God to the world; the Divine mind, Ultimate Reality, Truth, and the physical manifestation of God.

What is the Hebrew equivalent of "logos," and how was it understood?

"Debar," understood actively and expressively as both WORD and DEED or action.

How did Jesus validate His statement "I'm the resurrection & life" through action?

By calling Lazarus out of the tomb.

Which specific actions of Jesus validated His statements "bread of life" and "light of world"?

Feeding the 5,000 validated "bread of life," and making the blind see validated "light of world."

What are the three key assertions made about the Word in John 1:1-3?

The Word is eternal, the Word is eternally with God, and the Word is God.

How does John 1:3-5 describe the nature of darkness compared to light?

Darkness is nothing, has no power source, and is merely the default; light brings life, requires power, and always overcomes darkness.

According to John 1:6-8, what was the role of John the Baptist?

He was not the Messiah or the light; he came solely to give witness to the light.

According to John 1:12, what status is given to those who receive Jesus?

They are given the legal "rights" of children of God—becoming heirs rather than slaves, living in the "big house" rather than servant quarters.

What meaning and tone does the term "Abba" convey regarding God's character?

It translates to "Daddy," conveying an intimate, approachable relationship with a sense of childishness.

How does the phrase "Word… flesh… dwells" in John 1:14 connect to Exodus 25:8?

Just as God's dwelling place was the tabernacle set up right alongside His people, in the incarnation God "sets up his tent" near ours and dwells with us.

What Old Testament name meaning "God w/ Us" represents Scripture's "Withness" theme in Matthew 1:23?

Immanuel.

How does John 1:16-17 contrast the role of Moses with Jesus Christ?

Moses gave the Law (which was good, guided God's people, and served its purpose), but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ, which is superior to the Law.

What core concept does John 1:18 convey about knowing God?

No one has ever seen God, but Jesus (the only God at the Father's side) has made Him known; when you see Jesus, you see God.

In John 1:29-51, what title does John the Baptist bestow upon Jesus, and what theological purpose does it represent?

"Lamb of God, take away sin," representing sacrifice and atonement for sins.

In John 1:29-51, how do Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael identify Jesus?

Andrew identifies Him as the Messiah; Philip identifies Him as the one Moses and the Prophets wrote about; Nathanael identifies Him as the Son of God and King of Israel.