MATTHEW
MARK
LUKE
JOHN
MATTHEW
An Introduction to the Gospel According to Matthew
INTRODUCTION
1. Before discussing things specific to the book of Matthew, it is essential to understand the theme of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible’s theme is: the glorification of God and the salvation of all mankind through the person, Jesus, the Christ.
2. Every book of the Old Testament and New Testament contributes to the development and explanation of this overall theme. This is why knowing the Bible and its contents becomes vital to our own happiness upon this earth and our hope of eternal life in heaven with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and the saints.
I. AUTHOR
A. The Holy Spirit. “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21)
B. The human writer – Matthew, (Levi the son of Alphaeus, Mk. 2:14; Lk. 5:27), one of the twelve apostles. Matthew - “Gift of the Lord."
1. The earliest manuscripts of Matthew’s gospel account do not identify an author, however by 2nd century A.D., church tradition recognizes Matthew, the disciple and apostle of Jesus, as its human inspired writer.
2. At an early date this gospel account was given the title Kata Matthaion, meaning, “According to Matthew.” This title may indicate there were accounts given by others.
3. Before Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, Matthew was a tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government (Matt. 9:9-13; Mk. 2:13-17). His position as a trained tax collector required the keeping of accurate records and knowledge of accounting practices.
II. AUDIENCE
A. Matthew is an account of the gospel written by a Jew to Jews about a Jew (Jesus, the Christ). Matthew directs this account to his own countrymen and the subject is Jesus as the fulfillment of the long anticipated Messiah.
B. Through a carefully selected series of Old Testament Scripture, Matthew documents Jesus’ claim to the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. The genealogy of Jesus, His baptism, His miracles, messages and mannerisms all point to the evidential conclusion – Jesus is the Son of God.
III. ANNO DOMINI
A. Some suggest a date of the writing as early as A.D. 42. The precise dating, to some degree, depends on the relationship of Matthew's account to Mark and Luke's accounts.
1. Two expressions “to this day” (Matt. 27:8), and “until this day” (Matt. 28:15) indicate that a substantial period of time has passed since the events recorded in the book. These two expressions also point to a probable date prior to the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70).
2. The Jewish flavor of the Gospel account is another argument for a date prior to A.D. 70.
3. If Matthew depended upon Mark’s account as a source, the date of Mark would determine the earliest possible date for Matthew, and a likely time frame for this book is A.D. 58-68.
4. The place where it may have written is in Palestine or Syrian Antioch.
IV. AIM
A. The gospel account of Matthew is properly located at the beginning of the New Testament. This is not because it was the first New Testament book, or even the earliest account of the life of Christ written.
1. More than any other account, Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ relation to the Old Testament. Thus, it serves as a transition between the Old and New Testaments, connecting prophecy, promise and fulfillment.
2. Focus: Reception of the King (Matt. 1:1-11:1) and Rejection of the King (Matt. 11:2-28:20)
3. Divisions:
a. Presentation of the King (Matt. 1:1-4:11)
b. Proclamation of the King (Matt. 4:12-7:29)
c. Power of the King (Matt. 8:1-11:1)
d. Progressive rejection of the King (Matt. 11:2-16:12)
e. Preparation of the King’s disciples (Matt. 16:13-20:28)
f. Preservation and rejection of the King (Matt. 20:29-27:66)
g. Proof and vindication of the King (Matt. 28:1-28:20)
4. Jesus teaching the throngs (Matt. 1:1-16:12) and Jesus teaching the twelve (Matt. 16:13-28:20)
5. Matt. 1:1-4:17 – chronological; Matt. 4:18-10:42 – thematic; Matt. 11:1-28:20 – chronological
6. Locations:
a. Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth (Matt. 1:1-4:11)
b. Galilee (Matt. 4:12-18:35)
c. Judea (Matt. 19:1-28:20)
7. Time period covered: 6-4 B.C. to A.D. 30
B. Keys:
1. Key word: “Kingdom”
2. Key verse: Matt. 1:21-23, “’And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the LORD through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’”
3. Key message: Jesus, the King of the Jews (Matt. 27:37)
V. ANALYSIS
A. Concise outline
1. The birth and childhood of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:1-2:23)
a. The genealogy of Jesus Christ (1:1-17)
b. The birth of Jesus, the Christ (1:18-25)
c. The visit from the wise men from the East (2:1-12)
d. The escape to Egypt (2:13-15)
e. The slaughter of the Bethlehem infants (2:16-18)
f. The return from Egypt and settlement in Nazareth (2:19-23)
2. The preliminaries to the ministry of Jesus Christ (Matt. 3:1-4:11)
a. The preparation of John the Immerser (3:1-12)
b. The account of the baptism of Jesus (3:13-17)
c. The wilderness temptations of Jesus (4:1-11)
3. The ministry of Jesus Christ (4:12-20:34)
a. Preaching in Galilee (4:12-18:35)
b. Preaching east of the Jordan River (19:1-20:16)
c. Journey up to Jerusalem (20:17-34)
4. The concluding events of Jesus’ life upon the earth (Matt. 21:1-28:20)
a. The final week at Jerusalem (21:1-25:46)
b. The death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (26:1-27:66)
c. The resurrection of the Jesus Christ, the Son of God (28:1-20)
B. Comprehensive outline
1. The birth and childhood of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:1-2:23)
a. The genealogy of Jesus Christ (1:1-17)
b. The birth of Jesus, the Christ (1:18-25)
c. The visit from the wise men from the East (2:1-12)
d. The escape to Egypt (2:13-15)
e. The slaughter of the Bethlehem infants (2:16-18)
f. The return from Egypt and settlement in Nazareth (2:19-23)
2. The preliminaries to the ministry of Jesus Christ (Matt. 3:1-4:11)
a. The preparation of John the Immerser (3:1-12)
b. The account of the baptism of Jesus (3:13-17)
c. The wilderness temptation of Jesus (4:1-11)
3. The ministry of Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:12-20:34)
a. Preaching in Galilee (4:12-18:35)
1). In Capernaum (4:12-17)
2). Four fisherman called to discipleship (4:18-22)
3). His teachings, miracles and their effect (4:23-25)
4). The Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29)
5). His continued teachings, miracles and their effects (8:1-9:38)
6). The limited commission and encouragement to the twelve (10:1-42)
7). The question of John’s and the Lord’s reply (11:1-19)
8). Warning to the impenitent and an invitation (11:20-30)
9). Encounters with the Pharisees (12:1-50)
10). Parables concerning the kingdom (13:1-58)
11). The death of John the Immerser (14:1-12)
12). The miracles near the Sea of Galilee (14:13-36)
13). The debate with the Pharisees – tradition vs. Scripture (15:1-20)
14). The healing of the Gentile Canaanite girl (15:21-28)
15). More miracles near the Sea of Galilee (15:29-39)
16). Pharisees and Sadducees seek a sign (16:1-4)
17). Jesus warns about the Pharisees and Sadducees (16:5-12)
18). Peters confession of Jesus as the Christ at Caesarea Philippi (16:13-20)
19). Jesus prophecies of His death and resurrection (16:21-28)
20). Jesus transfigured on the mount (17:1-13)
21). Miracles and instruction to the twelve (17:14-18:35)
b. Preaching east of the Jordan River (19:1-20:16)
1). Teaching on marriage and divorce (19:1-12)
2). Jesus and children (19:13-15)
3). Jesus and the rich, young ruler (19:16-30)
4). The parable of the laborers in the vineyard (20:1-16)
c. Journey up to Jerusalem (20:17-34)
1). Another prophecy by Jesus of His death and resurrection (20:17-19)
2). A request by the mother of James and John (20:20-28)
3). Two blind men healed near Jericho (20:29-34)
4. The concluding events of Jesus’ life upon the earth (Matt. 21:1-28:20)
a. The final week at Jerusalem (21:1-25:46)
1). The King enters Jerusalem (21:1-11)
2). Jesus cleanses the temple a second time (21:12-17)
3). The miraculous withering of the fig tree (21:18-22)
4). The authority of Christ questioned (21:23-27)
5). Three parables spoken against the Pharisees (21:28-22:14)
6). Christ’s conflict with the Jewish sects (22:15-46)
7). Jesus’ strong rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees (23:1-39)
8). Jesus’ discourse to the disciples on the Mount of Olives (24:1-25:46)
b. The death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (26:1-27:66)
1). The intensified hostility - the plot to kill Jesus and agreement by Judas (26:1-16)
2). The Passover meal and institution of the Lord’s Supper (26:17-30)
3). Peter’s denial foretold by the Lord (26:31-35)
4). The prayer, betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane (26:36-56)
5). The night mock trial before the Sanhedrin (26:57-27:2)
6). The fate of Judas and his blood money (27:3-10)
7). Jesus tried and condemned by lawless Romans (27:11-31)
8). The crucifixion and the death of Jesus, the Son of God (27:32-56)
9). The burial and the guarded tomb (27:57-66)
c. The resurrection of the Jesus Christ, the Son of God (28:1-20)
1). The empty grave on early Sunday morning (28:1-10)
2). The report of the guard and the conspiracy (28:11-15)
3). The Great Commission given from Galilee (28:16-20)
C. Complementary outlines
1. Jesus – The King
a. Presentation of the King (Matt. 1:1-4:11)
1). The advent of the King (1:1-2:23)
a). The genealogy of Jesus Christ (1:1-17)
b). The birth of Jesus, the Christ (1:18-25)
c). The visit from the wise men from the East (2:1-12)
d). The escape to Egypt (2:13-15)
e). The slaughter of the children (2:16-18)
f). The return from Egypt and settlement in Nazareth (2:19-23)
2). The announcer of the King (3:1-12)
a). The person of John the Immerser (3:1-6)
b). The preaching of John the Immerser (3:7-12)
3). The approval of the King (3:13-4:11)
b. Proclamation of the King (Matt. 4:12-7:29)
1). The mounting for the Sermon (4:12-5:1)
2). The Sermon on the Mount (5:2-7:29)
c. Power of the King (Matt. 8:1-11:1)
1). The demonstration of the King’s power (8:1-9:34)
2). The delegation of the King’s power (9:35-11:1)
d. Progressive rejection of the King (Matt. 11:2-16:12)
1). The commencement of the rejection (11:2-30)
2). The conduct of the rejection (12:1-50)
3). The consequences of the rejection (13:1-53)
e. Preparation of the King’s disciples (Matt. 16:13-20:28)
f. Preservation and rejection of the King (Matt. 20:29-27:66)
g. Proof and vindication of the King (Matt. 28:1-28:20)
MARK
An Introduction to the Gospel According to Mark
INTRODUCTION
1. Before discussing things specific to the book of Mark, it is essential to understand the theme of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible’s theme is: the glorification of God and the salvation of all mankind through the person, Jesus, the Christ.
2. Every book of the Old Testament and New Testament contributes to the development and explanation of this overall theme. This is why knowing the Bible and its contents becomes vital to one's happiness upon this earth and one's hope of eternal life in heaven with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and the saints.
I. AUTHOR
A. Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
B. Human writer – Mark’s gospel account, like the other accounts, is technically anonymous in that the author does not identify himself. Testimony of those after the first century by “early church fathers” identify the inspired writer as John Mark, whose family was well known in the early Jerusalem church (Acts 12:12). “John” is his Hebrew (surname) name. (Acts 12:12, 25)
1. Mark was a companion of Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (A.D. 46-48). (Acts 12:25; 13:13)
2. Because Mark returned to Jerusalem, on what seems to be dishonorable conditions, Paul refused to take Mark with him and Barnabas on their second missionary journey (Acts 15:37-38). Mark was later reconciled to Paul (Col. 4:10), and was spoken of by Paul towards the end of his life as being “useful to me for ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:11)
3. Mark is most often associated with Peter. (Acts 12:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:13)
II. AUDIENCE
A. Mark wrote to the Romans. The Romans trusted in the power held by the state and believed they were born to rule the world. They understood the meaning of power, action, law and universal dominion.
B. Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of God. Mark depicts Jesus as a man of divine power, a worker of miracles, and the Almighty conqueror over nature, demons, disease and death itself. Mark records His deeds more so than His discourses (preaching and teaching).
C. Kata Markon, “According to Mark.” Early tradition holds that John Mark wrote this account to Romans from Rome. Mark interprets Aramaic words to explain Jewish words and customs (Mk. 3:17; 5:1; 7:34; 15:22), and uses a number of Latin terms in place of their Greek equivalents (Mk. 4:21; 6:27, 42; 5:15-16, 39), in order to increase the Roman’s understanding.
D. Mark gives no genealogy of Jesus, no fulfilled prophecies, no references to the Mosaic law, nor does he make very many references to the Old Testament. Such information would not have been helpful to the Gentiles.
III. ANNO DOMINI
A. Many Bible students suggest the gospel account of Mark was the first written among the four, possibly as early as A.D. 45. However this remains uncertain. Because of the prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple (Mk. 13:2), and no indication from Mark of its fulfillment, it may correctly be dated prior to A.D. 70.
B. Early tradition also seems to argue over whether it was written before or after the martyrdom of Peter (c. A.D. 64). Therefore, a date for the writing of this book ranges from A.D. 45-68.
IV. AIM
A. Mark is the simplest and shortest of the four gospel accounts. Most of the events recorded in Mark also appear in Matthew and Luke’s though Mark narrates them with greater detail and intensity.
1. Topics: Mark highlights Jesus, the eternal Son of God as:
a. An authoritative teacher (Mk. 1:22)
b. Having authority and dominion over Satan and unclean spirits (Mk. 1:27; 3:19-30)
c. Having power and authority over sin (Mk. 2:1-12)
d. Having authority over the Sabbath and the temple (Mk. 2:27-28; 3:1-6; 11:15-18)
e. Having power and authority over nature (Mk. 4:35-41; 6:45-52)
f. Having power and authority over disease and death (Mk. 5:21-34; 35-43)
g. Having authority to condemn the traditions of men (Mk. 7:1-13; 14-20)
2. Almost 40% of this gospel account is devoted to the detailed events of the last eight days of Jesus’ life and climaxes in His resurrection.
3. Focus: Son of Man came to Serve (Mk. 1:1-10:52) and the Son of Man came to Sacrifice. (Mk. 11:1-16:20)
4. Divisions:
a. Presentation of the Servant (Mk. 1:1-2:12)
b. Opposition to the Servant (Mk. 2:13-8:26)
c. Instruction by the Servant (Mk. 8:27-10:52)
d. Rejection of the Servant (Mk. 11:1-15:47)
e. Resurrection of the Servant (Mk. 16:1-20)
5. Locations:
a. Galilee and Perea (Mk. 1:1-10:52)
b. Judea and Jerusalem (Mk. 11:1-16:20)
6. Time period covered in Mark’s account: A.D. 26 to A.D. 30 (3 years, 6 months, 8 days)
B. Keys:
1. Key word: Gr. euthus, NKJV - “immediately;” KJV – “straightway, immediately.” Total of 36 times (Mk. 1:10, 12, 18, 20-21, 31, 42; 2:2, 8, 12; 3:6; 4:5, 15-17, 29; 5:2, 29-30, 42; 6:25, 27, 45, 50; 7:35; 8:10; 9:15, 20, 24, 10:52; 11:3; 14:43, 45; 15:1)
2. Key verse: Mk. 10:43-45, “’Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slaves of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’”
3. Key message: Jesus, the Perfect Servant of God (Mk. 10:43-45)
4. Key phrase: “What manner of man is this?” (Mk. 4:41)
V. APPEAL
A. Mk. 1:14-15, “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’”
VI. ANALYSIS
A. Concise outline
1. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee and surrounding areas (Mk. 1:1-9:50)
2. The events in Perea enroute to Jerusalem (Mk. 10:1-52)
3. The events during the last week of the ministry of Jesus Christ (Mk. 11:1-15:47)
4. The resurrection and some post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (Mk. 16:1-20)
B. Comprehensive outline
1. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee and surrounding areas (Mk. 1:1-9:50)
a. The baptism and temptation of Jesus (1:1-13)
b. The beginning of the ministry (1:14-45)
c. The beginning of conflict with Jewish leaders (2:1-3:35)
d. A series of parables (4:1-34)
e. A series of miracles (4:35-5:43)
f. Some evaluations of Jesus (6:1-6, 14-29)
g. Additional miracles (6:7-13; 6:30-56)
h. Accusations by the Pharisees and condemnation by Jesus (7:1-23)
i. A tour to Tyre and Sidon (7:24-8:13)
j. A tour to Caesarea Philippi (8:14-9:50)
2. The events in Perea on route to Jerusalem (Mk. 10:1-52)
3. The events during the last week of the ministry of Jesus Christ (Mk. 11:1-15:47)
a. The triumphal entry (11:1-11)
b. The events on the second day (11:12-19)
c. The events on the third day (11:20-14:11)
d. The events on the fifth day (14:12-25)
e. The events on the sixth day (14:26-15:47)
4. The resurrection and some post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (Mk. 16:1-20)
LUKE
An Introduction to the Gospel According to Luke
INTRODUCTION
1. Before discussing things specific to the book of Luke, it is essential to understand the theme of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible’s theme is: the glorification of God and the salvation of all mankind through the person, Jesus, the Christ.
2. Every book of the Old Testament and New Testament contributes to the development and explanation of this overall theme. This is why knowing the Bible and its contents becomes vital to one's happiness upon this earth and one's hope of eternal life in heaven with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and the saints.
I. AUTHOR
A. Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
B. Human writer – the third gospel account is anonymous, but Bible students generally agree that Luke wrote both this gospel account and the book of Acts. Kata Loukan, “According to Luke,” is the ancient title that was added to this gospel at a very early date.
1. The writer is identified by the “we” passages in Acts (16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16). The writer of Acts writes primarily from a third-person point of view, but then at times changes to the first-person indicating an eye-witness account, and a traveling companion of Paul during his missionary journies.
2. Luke may have been a Hellenistic Jew, but was more likely a Gentile (Greek). Col. 4:10-11, Paul lists three fellow workers of the circumcision (Jews). Vs.12-14, Paul further speaks of three additional men, "Epaphras, who is one of you,” and “Luke the beloved physician and Demas." (cf. 2 Tim. 4:9-11).
3. Luke was well educated, but was not an apostle. He was not an eye-witness of what he recorded by inspiration concerning the Christ during His earthy ministry.
4. It is suggested that Luke may have been a Greek physician to a Roman family who at some point was set free. It was common for Greek slaves to serve as physicians. Ancient tradition contends that Luke may have been from Syrian Antioch, remained unmarried and died at the age of 84. The Greek name Luke appears only 3 times in the New Testament (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Phile. 24).
II. AUDIENCE
A. Luke wrote primarily to Greeks. His purpose was to show by means of an accurate and orderly narrative of the life of Christ that Jesus was the perfect man and the Son of God.
B. It has been said, “While the Romans sought to conquer humanity, the mission of the Greeks was to perfect humanity.” They looked for the ideal man, who would represent the human race. They idealized human reason (logic), beauty, and truth.
C. Luke appealed to the Greeks by representing Jesus as the ideal, the universal man; the perfect expression of reason, beauty (inward) and truth. Luke traced the ancestry of Jesus back through Mary to Adam to show that Christ truly was the “Son of Man.” (Lk. 3:23-38)
III. ANNO DOMINI
A. There are two general positions. The first favors a late date placing the writing after A.D. 70 because of a belief that Lk. 21:20 indicates the fall of Jerusalem had already taken place.
B. The second and more biblical view of the date of writing is a period between A.D. 58-63. There is also a third possibility which is believed to be after A.D. 65. Acts 8:26 refers to “Gaza.“ Jewish war (A.D. 65).
C. My personal belief – (A.D. 63-64). Luke was written earlier than Acts. The last chapter of Acts recounts events that occurred around A.D. 63. If Acts was written during Paul’s Roman imprisonment (A.D. 63), the gospel account may have been written during Paul’s two-year incarceration in Caesarea, prior to the journey to Rome. Still others date the account as early as A.D. 55.
IV. AIM
A. Luke's gospel account is the longest of the four. It is also one of the most comprehensive regarding Jesus’ ancestry, birth, early life, ministry, death and resurrection. The book of Luke is a two-part work of the writer Luke. The second part is the book of Acts.
B. About half of Luke’s material is unique to his account. Luke highlights Jesus’ first journey from Galilee to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51-19:27) . This section contains many parables not recorded elsewhere.
C. Luke portrays Jesus as not only the Messiah of the Jews, but the Savior of the entire world (Lk. 2:32; 24:27). Luke gives special attention to the ministry of Jesus to the poor, the outcasts and to women. He also stresses the compassion and humanity of Jesus.
D. Luke’s account has more references to prayer than do the other accounts. He emphasizes the prayers of Jesus, recounting seven occasions of which are not recorded elsewhere. In addition, this gospel account is filled with songs of praise and thanksgiving.
1. Topics: Seeking the lost (Lk. 1:1-9:50) and Saving the lost (Lk. 9:51-24:53). Miracles and teaching are prominent.
2. Focus:
a. Introduction of the Son of Man (Lk. 1:1-4:13)
b. Ministry of the Son of Man (Lk. 4:14-9:50)
c. Rejection of the Son of Man (Lk. 9:51-19:27)
d. Crucifixion and resurrection of the Son of Man (Lk. 19:28-23:56)
3. Divisions:
a. Advent (Lk. 1:1-4:13)
b. Activities (Lk. 4:14-9:50)
c. Antagonism and admonition (Lk. 9:51-19:27)
d. Application (Lk. 19:28-23:56)
4. Locations:
a. Israel (Lk. 1:1-4:14)
b. Galilee (Lk. 4:14-9:50)
c. Israel (Lk. 9:51-19:27)
d. Jerusalem (Lk. 19:28-24:49)
e. Bethany (Lk. 24:50-51)
f. Jerusalem (Lk. 24:52-53)
5. Time period covered in Luke’s account: B.C. 4 to A.D. 30
E. Keys:
1. Key words: NKJV - “Son of man,” 25 times; “Son of God,” 6 times; “Kingdom of God,” 33 times
2. Key verse: "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Lk. 19:10)
3. Key phrase: "... that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed." (Lk. 1:4)
V. APPEAL
A. Lk. 24:47, "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
VI. ANALYSIS
A. Concise outline
1. The births of John and Jesus (Lk. 1:1-2:39)
2. Jesus’ temple visit at age twelve (Lk. 2:40-52)
3. The ministry of John (Lk. 3:1-22)
4. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee (Lk. 4:1-9:50)
5. Jesus going to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51-19:27)
6. Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk. 19:28-24:53)
B. Comprehensive outline
C. Complementary outlines
JOHN
An Introduction to the Gospel According to John
INTRODUCTION
1. Before discussing things specific to the book of John, it is essential to understand the theme of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible’s theme is: the glorification of God and the salvation of all mankind through the person, Jesus, the Christ.
2. Every book of the OT/NT contributes to the development and explanation of this overall theme.
3. This is why knowing the Bible and its contents becomes vital to our happiness upon this earth and our hope of eternal life in heaven with God the Father, God the Son and the saints.
I. AUTHOR
A. Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). "For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
B. Human writer – the fourth gospel account, Kata Ioannen (“According to John”), does not explicitly designate John as the human writer. However, there are many factors supporting the long-held belief that John the apostle, brother of James and the son of Zebedee (Mk. 1:19-20) was indeed the penman of this account. John is also the writer of three letters (1-3 John) and Revelation.
1. According to Jn. 21:20, 24, this account was written by “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples (Peter, James, John), John is the only possible candidate.
2. Further evidence supporting John as the penman, rests upon the fact that the author was a Palestinian Jew (Galilee), and an eyewitness of the events he describes. (Jn. 1:40)
3. Early sources speak of Ephesus as the likely place for the origin. John is believed to have lived and worked in the area of Ephesus for many years. He is reported to have died in exile on the Isle of Patmos (A.D. 100). A tomb discovered in Ephesus is said to be his.
4. As with the others accounts, the word “gospel” was added later to this title. Ioannes is derived from the Hebrew name Johanan, meaning “Yahweh has been gracious.”
II. AUDIENCE
A. John wrote to all while Matthew wrote to Jews (kingship), Mark, to the Romans (servanthood), and Luke, to the Greeks (the Word made flesh).
B. John’s account is believed to be written well after the church had spread throughout the Roman Empire and was no longer considered a Jewish sect.
C. Luke presents Christ in His humanity as the Son of Man; John presents Christ in His deity as the Son of God. John gives the descent of Jesus, not from Abraham nor Adam, but from God.
D. It has been well stated that in this Gospel, Jesus Christ is presented as the One whom we are to believe; in John’s epistles, the One whom we are to love, and in Revelation, the One for whom we are to wait.
E. False teachers, particularly those of whom would eventually develop into the Gnostics, had penetrated the church and were disturbing the faith. John wrote to Christians everywhere to refute this false teaching and reaffirm the basis of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the only begotten Son of God.
III. ANNO DOMINI
A. Irenaeus, a student of Polycarp who was a friend and student of John, testified John wrote the account while in Ephesus, “sixty years after the ascension.” John is understood to have been in Ephesus between 66-98 A.D.
B. Some students of the Bible date this account earlier (60-64 A.D.), and written prior to Luke’s account. One reason given for an earlier date is the reference to the “Sheep gate” in Jn. 5:2. If written after the destruction of Jerusalem, why is this not past tense?
C. Generally, dating for this account is 85-100 A.D.; with 90 A.D., being the most widely accepted date. The discovery in Egypt of a papyrus fragment of John’s gospel account dating to circa A.D. 125, defeats any idea of a later second century date. My personal belief – (A.D. 65-68 A.D.)
IV. AIM
A. John’s message: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. His account focuses upon the mystery of the Person of Christ; His incarnation (His coming in the flesh); His relationship to the Father, and importance of belief in Jesus as the Christ. He sought to provide a theological interpretation of the Person and work of the Christ.
1. John’s account of the gospel of Christ is a great faith-building book of the Bible. (Rom. 10:17)
a. He appeals to the spiritual needs of the soul by pointing mankind to Christ.
b. He points to Christ as the source of abundant life - now and in eternity. (Jn. 10:10)
c. He reveals that life and life eternal are available to all through the means of faith, love, obedience and true worship.
2. John’s account is different from the Synoptic accounts (Matt., Mk., Lk.). This difference is one reason why many believe his account was written after the other three were completed. The Synoptic focuses upon the Galilean ministry of Jesus. John focuses on the events in Judea and records three, possibly four Passover visits to Jerusalem by Jesus. (Jn. 2:13; 5:1; 6:4; 13:1)
B. John presents Jesus’ teachings in the form of longer theological discourses on the bread of life (Jn. 6:41-59), the good shepherd and his sheep (Jn. 10:1-30), the vine and the branches (Jn. 15:1-8); and the prayer of Jesus (Jn. 17:1-26). Within each discourse, John contrasts pair of ideas:
1. Light and darkness
2. Belief and unbelief
3. Love and hate
4. Earthly and heavenly
C. John’s gospel account is topical rather than chronological. It revolves around seven miracles and highlights the Person of Jesus by his inclusion of seven “I am” statements:
1. “I am the bread of life.” (Jn. 6:35; 41, 48, 51)
2. “I am the light of the world.” (Jn. 8:12)
3. “I am the door.” (Jn. 10:7, 9)
4. “I am the good shepherd.” (Jn. 10:11, 14)
5. “I am the resurrection and the life.” (Jn. 11:25)
6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (Jn. 14:6)
7. “I am the true vine.” (Jn. 15:1, 5)
* 23 times in John’s gospel account, Jesus speaks of “I am” (Gr. ego eimi). (Jn. 4:26; 6:20; 8:18, 24, 28, 58; 10:11, 14; 13:19)
D. John presents the Christian doctrine of the Godhead - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit: (Jn. 1:1-2, 14; 33-34; 16:13-15)
E. Half of what is written in John is not recorded in the other accounts including details of several post-resurrection appearances of the Lord:
1. The appearance of Jesus to Thomas (Jn. 20:24)
2. The appearance of Jesus to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee (Jn. 21:1-14)
3. The restoration of Peter (Jn. 21:15-23)
F. John proves by the great miracles and teachings of Jesus (by His works and words), that Jesus is the Christ, the eternal Son of the living God. (Jn.1, 20)
G. Additional background information:
1. Topics:
a. Seven miracles (Jn. 1:1-12:50) - That you might believe
b. Upper room discourse; supreme miracle (Jn. 13:1-21:25) - That you might have life
2. Focus:
a. Incarnation of the Son of God (Jn. 1:1-18)
b. Presentation of the Son of God (Jn. 1:19-4:54)
c. Opposition to the Son of God (Jn. 5:1-12:50)
d. Preparation of the disciples (Jn. 13:1-17:26)
e. Crucifixion and resurrection of the Son of God (Jn. 18:1-21:25)
3. Divisions:
a. Introduction to the Christ (Jn. 1:1-18)
b. Revelaton of the Christ (Jn. 1:19-4:54)
c. Rejection of the Christ (Jn. 5:1-12:50)
d. Revelation of the Christ (Jn. 13:1-17:26)
e. Rejection of the Christ (Jn. 18:1-21:25)
4. Locations: Israel and Judea
a. Samaria (Jn. 4:3-42)
b. Galilee (Jn. 4:43-54; 7:1)
c. Jerusalem (Jn. 5:1-47; 7:10)
d. Capernaum (Jn. 6:24-59)
5. Time period covered in John’s account:
a. Pre-incarnation (Jn. 1:1-3)
b. A.D. 26-30
H. Keys:
1. Key words: “the Father,” to whom Christ refers to 104 times (NKJV). The other key word is “believe” which is John’s principle appeal (Jn. 20:31). Additional key words include “eternal life,” “light,” “life,” “love,” and “truth.” Also, he uses the word “Jew” more than 60 times.
2. Key verse: Jn. 20:30-31, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
3. Key phrases: “And the Word became flesh” (Jn. 1:14). “His only begotten Son,” “the only begotten Son of God” (Jn. 3:16, 18). “For God so loved the world” (Jn. 3:16).
V. APPEAL
A. Jn. 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” This appeal is often referred to as the "Golden text of the Bible."
VI. ANALYSIS
A. Concise outline
1. The Prologue (Jn. 1:1-1:18)
2. The ministry of John: Old Testament prophet to Israel (Jn. 1:19-51)
3. The ministry of Jesus: Messiah to Israel (Jn. 2:1-12:50)
4. The last Passover: Jesus and His disciples (Jn. 13:1-14:31)
5. The unity of Christ and His disciples (Jn. 15:1-16:33)
6. The Lord’s prayer for unity (Jn. 17:1-26)
7. The betrayal, trial and crucifixion of Christ (Jn. 18:1-19:42)
8. The resurrection of the Christ (Jn. 20:1-21:25)
B. Comprehensive outline
VII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. In the art of the early church, Matthew is represented by the lion, the symbol of royalty; Mark by the ox, referring to service; Luke, by man, God’s highest creation; and John by the soaring eagle, the symbol of heavenly things.
B. More than one half the space in John is given to the events and teaching of Christ during His last days on earth. John also records Jesus’ longest prayer (Jn.17).
C. One writer calls this “the chief gospel, a commentary and exposition of the whole Bible.”
D. Only Paul wrote more books of the New Testament than John. John was the only disciple not to suffer martyrdom.
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