What Makes the Gospel of John Different From the Other Gospels?
There’s something unique about the Gospel of John that makes it a must-study. If you’re looking for a book of the Bible to focus your reading and studying on, there’s a reason why so many people recommend the Gospel of John. I’ll give you five good reasons, along with what to look for as you go through it.
One: Richmond likes to say that the whole Bible is the book of Jesus, and that you can find Him on every page. That is certainly the case with the Gospel of John. The name Jesus appears 256 times in this Gospel—84 more times than the next closest Gospel (Matthew, with 172 mentions).
Two: While the other three Gospels focus largely on the chronology of Christ’s life and the many things He did, John’s focus is on who Jesus is—His identity and deity. John presents Jesus as fully God—sharing the Father’s nature, authority and glory. As you study John, look for the “I am” statements. Jesus says, I am the bread of life; the light of the world; the door of the sheep; the good shepherd; the resurrection and the life; the way, the truth, and the life; the true vine; the King of the Jews, and more. Each of these statements is worth careful study.
Three: John makes the purpose for writing his Gospel crystal clear: And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:30–31)
Four: John’s emphasis is on Jesus as the Son of God. Flowing from this recognition, John repeatedly draws attention to an important Old Testament expectation: I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. (Deut. 18:18)
By the time of Christ, the Jews were anticipating the arrival of this capital-P Prophet promised by Moses. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is explicitly identified as that Prophet—recognized and confessed by those who encountered Him. (John 1:45; 6:14; 7:40) Jesus also embodied this prophetic role, for He spoke only the words the Father gave Him, exactly as Deuteronomy 18:18 foretold. In fact, Jesus emphasized this about Himself no fewer than nine times in John’s Gospel. (John 7:16; 8:26, 28, 38; 12:49–50; 14:10, 24; 17:8)
Five: John presents the doctrine of salvation plainly and directly. He shows that salvation involves both believing and knowing—two themes that dominate the Gospel. Forms of the word know appear 108 times, and forms of believe appear 96 times, far more than in any of the other Gospels. John also lays out a clear sequence leading to salvation:
· God draws and reveals first. (John 6:44)
· The truth is heard, and sin is brought to light. (John 8:47; 16:8–9)
· Christ is believed and received as the one sent to deal with sin. (John 1:12; 1:29)
· New birth is granted, resulting in freedom from sin. (John 3:3; 8:34–36)
· Knowledge of God and Christ grows. (John 17:3)
· Abiding obedience and love confirm that sin no longer reigns. (John 14:15; 8:31–32)
Salvation itself is instantaneous—being born again—but the knowledge of Christ and the evidence of that new life unfold over time through receiving and learning from His word and abiding.
As you compare your own life with the points above, an important question emerges: Have you been born again? When you study John, you will find no assurance of salvation based on a vague emotional experience. True believing/receiving results in new life, growing knowledge and a transformed walk. Learn more about salvation here. Also, Richmond has written a commentary on this Gospel called “The Book of John” available on Amazon.
R&J Shee