John's Gospel in a Nutshell
John's Gospel in a Nutshell
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The Gospel according to John presents a unique and deeply theological portrait of Jesus Christ. Traditionally attributed to the apostle John, this Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the eternal Son of God who became human to reveal God's love and bring eternal life. Unlike the other Gospels, John's account does not focus on parables or the Kingdom of God, but instead centers on Jesus’ identity as the divine Word (Logos) made flesh.
The book opens with a profound prologue: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This introduction establishes Jesus as present at creation, the source of life and light, and the one who reveals the unseen God. From the start, John highlights the themes of belief, light versus darkness, and the offer of new life to those who receive Him.
Throughout the narrative, John structures his Gospel around seven signs, or miracles, such as turning water into wine, healing the blind, and raising Lazarus from the dead. These signs are paired with Jesus’ seven “I Am” statements, which reveal His divine nature (e.g., “I am the bread of life,” “I am the good shepherd,” “I am the resurrection and the life”). These statements echo God's name revealed to Moses, reinforcing Jesus' claim to divinity.
John emphasizes personal encounters that lead to belief: Nicodemus struggles to understand being “born again,” the Samaritan woman at the well becomes a witness to her village, and Thomas moves from doubt to faith. Yet despite the signs and teachings, many reject Jesus, and He is eventually betrayed and handed over to be crucified. John presents the cross not as a defeat, but as Jesus’ moment of glorification, where He fulfills His mission to give His life for the world.
The Gospel concludes with the resurrection of Jesus, His appearance to the disciples, and His restoration of Peter. John writes with the purpose that readers may “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” More than just a record of events, John’s Gospel is a theological invitation to faith in the One who reveals the heart of God.
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
Greek Scriptures
Greek Scriptures
(New Testament Books)
Outline of the Gospel
according to John
Outline of the Gospel
according to John
I. The Prologue: The Word Made Flesh (1:1–18)
A. The Eternal Word, 1:1–5
B. The Witness of John the Baptist, 1:6–8
C. The Rejection and Reception of the Word, 1:9–13
D. The Word Became Flesh, 1:14–18
II. The Public Ministry of Jesus: Signs and Teaching (1:19–12:50)
A. The Presentation of Jesus, 1:19–51
1. John the Baptist’s witness, 1:19–34
2. The calling of the first disciples, 1:35–51
B. The First Signs and Early Ministry, 2:1–4:54
1. Water turned to wine at Cana, 2:1–11
2. Cleansing the temple, 2:12–25
3. Dialogue with Nicodemus, 3:1–21
4. John the Baptist exalts Jesus, 3:22–36
5. The Samaritan woman and healing the official’s son, 4:1–54
C. Growing Opposition, 5:1–7:52
1. Healing at Bethesda and discourse on equality with God, 5:1–47
2. Feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus as the Bread of Life, 6:1–71
3. Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles, 7:1–52
D. Jesus the Light and the Life, 8:1–10:42
1. The woman caught in adultery, 8:1–11
2. Jesus as the light of the world and confrontation with the Pharisees, 8:12–59
3. Healing the man born blind, 9:1–41
4. The Good Shepherd discourse, 10:1–21
5. Further division and rejection, 10:22–42
E. The Final Sign and Decision, 11:1–12:50
1. Raising of Lazarus, 11:1–44
2. Plot to kill Jesus, 11:45–57
3. Anointing at Bethany and triumphal entry, 12:1–19
4. Jesus speaks of His death, 12:20–36
5. Final rejection and summary of Jesus’ message, 12:37–50
III. The Private Ministry of Jesus to His Disciples (13:1–17:26)
A. Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet, 13:1–20
B. Judas’ Betrayal and Peter’s Denial Foretold, 13:21–38
C. Jesus' Farewell Discourses, 14:1–16:33
1. Comfort and promise of the Holy Spirit, 14:1–31
2. The vine and the branches, 15:1–17
3. Warning of persecution, 15:18–16:4
4. The Spirit’s coming and Jesus' final words, 16:5–33
D. Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, 17:1–26
IV. The Passion of Jesus Christ (18:1–19:42)
A. The Arrest and Trials, 18:1–19:16
1. Betrayal and arrest in the garden, 18:1–11
2. Trial before Annas and Peter’s denial, 18:12–27
3. Trial before Pilate, 18:28–19:16
B. The Crucifixion and Burial, 19:17–42
1. Jesus is crucified, 19:17–30
2. Jesus’ side pierced and burial, 19:31–42
V. The Resurrection and Appearances of Jesus (20:1–21:25)
A. The Empty Tomb and Jesus Appears to Mary, 20:1–18
B. Jesus Appears to the Disciples, 20:19–31
1. Appearance to ten disciples, 20:19–23
2. Appearance to Thomas and others, 20:24–31
C. The Epilogue: Jesus’ Appearance in Galilee, 21:1–25
1. Miraculous catch of fish, 21:1–14
2. Restoration of Peter and final words, 21:15–25
Hebrew Scriptures
Hebrew Scriptures
(Old Testament Books)
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