INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

I. Authorship and Canonicity (authenticity)

A. John the Apsotle has traditionally been accepted as the author of the 4th gospel since the early church fathers.

1. Irenaeus, circa 200AD, a leading theologian of his time who developed an authoritative canon of scriptures accepted John as the author of the Gospel of John.

2. Clement of Alexandria, 150-250AD, a Christian apologist and missionary to the Hellenistic (Greek) culture, who produced many writings during his time certifying John as the author of this gospel.

B. Authorship by John is further substantiated in the writings of the Muratorian Canon dated 180-200AD. (This is a Latin list of N.T. writings regarded as canonical and discovered by the Italian, Lodovico Muratori, and published in 1740.)

C. External sources of canonicity are attested by the Egerton Papyrus 2, dated before 150AD (C.H. Dodd, New Testament Studies, 1953 pp 15-52) and also attested by Tatian in his writing, Diatessaron, circa 200AD. (This writing is a combination of the four gospels in one narrative.)

D. Internal attestation of both authorship and canonicity is seen in a classical formulation from B.F. Westcott and J.B. Lightfoot, (Biblical Essays, 1893, pp 1-198) where it is demonstrated that the gospel was written:

1. By a Jew: Jn.1:19-28 references the Jewish expectation of the coming of Christ; Jn.4:9, the author knew the Jewish feelings towards the Samaritans; Jn.4:20, the Jewish attitude towards worship and acquaintance with Jewish feasts cp. Jn.18:39, noting the custom of the Passover for the Romans to release a Jewish prisoner.

2. By a Palestinian Jew: The author was acquainted with the geography, especially around Jerusalem cp. Jn.9:7; 11:18; 18:1. Also the cities of Galilee and the territory of Samaria, Jn.1:44; 2:1; 4:5,6,21.

3. By an eyewitness of events: Jn.1:14, "we beheld His glory"; 19:35, (author speaking in the 3rd person), "and he who has seen has borne witness" (event of the cross). The author knew the number and size of the pots at the wedding of Cana, Jn.2:6.

4. By the "beloved disciple" and close associate of the apostle Peter, Jn.21:7 cp. 13:23, (Peter speaking to the beloved disciple thus ruling out Peter). Since James was killed early in the history of the church, and Thomas and Philip are mentioned so frequently in the 3rd person (the author speaks of himself in the 3rd person), John the son of Zebedee is the best remaining possibility.

5. The author refers to John the Baptist as simply John, Jn.1:6,15,19, etc. John the Apostle would write in this way implying the readers recognized his authorship and realize this "John" is not himself but the other one "John the Baptist".

6. The language and thinking of the author of the Gospel of John is parallel with the first Epistle of John cp. 1Jn.1:1ff.

II. Date and Place of Writing:

A. The date of writing for the gospel has been variously estimated from 40AD to 140AD.

B. Patristic evidence weighs heavier towrds John living a full and long life versus a short life.

C. Polycrates, Bishop of Ephesus, 190AD and Irenaeus both place John at Ephesus as late as 98AD to 117AD with a long residence there.

D. The discovery of the Rylands Fragment which is a copy of Jn.18:31-33,37,38 shows that the Gospel of John was in use in the first half of the 2nd Century.

E. Internal support for the writing at Ephesus (Asia Minor and Gentile surroundings) is seen in the explanations of the feasts and customs of the Jews as if it were for the benefit of those unfamiliar with them cp. Jn.2:13; 4:9; 19:31.

F. Though a definite time is not determined for the writing, evidence has traditionally dated it around 90AD.

III. The Purpose and Scope of the Writing:

A. The general purpose of John's writing is apologetic (in defense of) as to the validity of who and what Christ is.

B. In "A Harmony of the Gospels" we see most of John's writing contains information not found in the Synoptic Gospels (Mt.,Mk.& Lk.). However, the events surrounding the cross are parallel with the Synoptics. This provides further apologetics for the validity of the Synoptics.

C. The scope of John's writing evolves aroung three major themes:

1. The incarnate Christ with emphasis on His deity.

2. Eternal life as an attribute of Christ's deity and its effect in relationship to mankind.

3. The witness of the life.