Passage Explorer
Before you read

John

The Gospel of signs and "I am": Jesus as the Word made flesh, who gives life to those who believe.

See the map and timelineJump to Chapter 1

Who wrote it

Traditionally John, the son of ZebedeeDebated

The book doesn't name its author; it speaks of "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and says he wrote these things (21:20-24). Church tradition from the second century identifies him as the apostle John. Many scholars think the book comes from a community or a follower of that disciple, perhaps the one tradition calls "John the Elder."

Who it was for

Followers of Jesus, Jewish and Gentile, in a time of conflict with the synagogue

John says why he wrote: "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name" (20:31). He explains Jewish customs and translates Aramaic words, and refers to people being put out of the synagogue (9:22, 12:42, 16:2), which suggests a community in tension with its Jewish neighbors.

When it happens

Under Roman rule, around the festivals in Jerusalem

Much of the story takes place in Jerusalem at Jewish festivals, under the governor Pilate and the high priest Caiaphas. Tradition places the writing in Ephesus, probably in the 80s or 90s AD, though some argue for an earlier date. Both the place and the date are debated.

How to read it

Gospel

Quite different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John arranges the story around signs (miracles that point beyond themselves), long conversations and speeches, and the "I am" sayings. Most of its stories and teaching appear only here.

Map: Jerusalem, Samaria, and Galilee

Open map
Dead SeaGALILEEJUDEASAMARIA

Jesus moves between Galilee and Jerusalem, passing through Samaria, with key scenes at Cana, Sychar, Capernaum, Bethany, Jerusalem, and the Sea of Tiberias.

Timeline

Open timeline
  1. Jesus' ministryUsually placed around AD 27-30, with festivals in Jerusalem.
  2. John is writtenMost scholars say the 80s or 90s AD. The date is debated.
  3. The temple fallsRome destroys Jerusalem's temple in AD 70.

In order, not to scale.

Big idea

The eternal Word became flesh in Jesus, who shows us the Father, and those who believe in him receive life.

Key themes
  • The Word and the light
  • Signs and belief
  • "I am"
  • Eternal life
  • Love and abiding

Who’s who

Jesus

The Word made flesh, the Son of God.

John the Baptist

The witness sent before him.

  • Parents: Zacharias, Elisabeth
  • Chapters: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10

Nicodemus

A Pharisee and member of the council.

  • Chapters: 3, 7, 19

Lazarus

Brother of Martha and Mary, from Bethany.

  • Chapters:

Simon Peter

Simon son of John, renamed Cephas (Peter).

  • Parents: Jonas
  • Siblings: Andrew
  • Chapters: 1, 6, 13, 18, 20, 21

Mary Magdalene

From Magdala; first at the tomb and first to see him.

  • Chapters: 19, 20

Family links and chapters: Theographic Bible Metadata, CC BY-SA 4.0. About our sources