fbpx
Skip to content

Who Wrote John in the Bible | John | Gospel | Written | Author

Who Wrote John in the Bible

Unravel the mystery of ‘who wrote John in the Bible’. Explore the various theories and historical evidence that shine light on this intriguing biblical question. Join us on a journey into the past, that stretches from the early days of Christianity to modern biblical scholarship.

Who Wrote John in the Bible: A Deep Dive into Authorship and Context

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1. One of the most profound and moving statements in the New Testament, it comes from the Book of John. But who wrote John in the Bible? This question has piqued the interest of scholars, theologians, and laypeople alike. We’ll examine this question, weighing the evidence, examining theories, and exploring the history surrounding this enigmatic gospel.

The Gospel of John: An Overview

The Unique Fourth Gospel

The Gospel of John, the last of the four gospels, stands apart from its synoptic companions—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—in style and content. It’s less a chronological narrative and more a theological reflection on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John delves into Jesus’s divine nature, presenting a different perspective on the Savior’s teachings and miracles.

Who Wrote John in the Bible

The Time and Place of Writing

Estimates for the time of writing the Gospel of John range from the late first century to the early second century A.D. It’s generally agreed that the gospel was likely penned in Ephesus, a major city in ancient Asia Minor, now modern-day Turkey.

Unraveling the Mystery: How Many Apostles Did Jesus Have | Jesus | Disciples | Christ

The Traditional View: John the Apostle

Early Church Tradition

Who wrote John in the Bible? For centuries, the answer was straightforward: John the Apostle, one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus Christ. Early church tradition holds John as the author, with Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon in the late second century, being one of the first to assert this claim.

Internal Evidence from the Gospel

Some clues within the Gospel itself point towards John the Apostle as the author. The writer refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” leading many to believe this is John, who’s depicted in other parts of the New Testament as being particularly close to Jesus.

The Johannine Community: A Counterargument

The Role of the Community

However, not all scholars agree with the traditional view. Some argue the Gospel of John was written not by a single individual but by a community of followers—referred to as the Johannine community—that developed its unique understanding and interpretation of Jesus’s life and teachings over time.

Who Wrote John in the Bible

Evidence of Multiple Authors

Certain elements within the Gospel, such as shifts in style and contradictions in narrative, suggest that multiple authors may have been involved in its composition. This strengthens the theory of a Johannine community.

The Role of the Beloved Disciple (Wrote)

Certainly, here’s a table detailing the key roles of the Apostle John, also known as the ‘Beloved Disciple’:

RoleDetails
Disciple of JesusJohn was one of the original twelve apostles chosen by Jesus to follow Him and to be His close associates. He, along with Peter and James, formed the inner circle of Jesus’s disciples and were present during specific significant events, such as the transfiguration of Jesus and Jesus’ agony in the garden of Gethsemane.
Witness to CrucifixionAs the ‘Beloved Disciple,’ John is traditionally believed to have been the only one of the Twelve Apostles who did not forsake Jesus in His hour of need and stood by Jesus at the foot of the cross during His crucifixion.
Caretaker of MaryBefore His death, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to John, an act seen as a testament to His trust and love for the apostle.
EvangelistAfter Jesus’s ascension, John played a crucial role in spreading the gospel and establishing the early Christian church. He is traditionally seen as a pillar of the Jerusalem church and later appears to have worked in Ephesus.
Author of New Testament WorksJohn is traditionally attributed with the authorship of five books of the New Testament: The Gospel of John, three epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), and the Book of Revelation. These works have been pivotal in understanding Jesus’s nature, ministry, and teachings.
VisionaryJohn is identified as the recipient of the divine visions recorded in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. These visions form a significant part of Christian eschatology.
Exile to PatmosAccording to tradition, John was exiled to the island of Patmos during a time of persecution under Roman Emperor Domitian. Here he received the visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation.
DeathJohn is traditionally believed to have died of natural causes in Ephesus, making him the only apostle not to be martyred.
Who Wrote John in the Bible

Please remember, while these roles are widely accepted, they are based on traditional Christian beliefs and interpretations of the Bible, which can vary among different Christian denominations and scholars.

The Influence of Gnostic Thought

Creating a table outlining the influence of Gnostic thought on the writings of John can be challenging due to the scholarly debate around the issue. Gnosticism is a complex set of religious and philosophical ideas that were prevalent in the first few centuries CE, and while some of these ideas may appear in the Johannine texts, they are not necessarily indicative of direct influence or acceptance of Gnostic ideology by the author. Here, however, is an attempt to outline some areas where there may be perceived parallels:

ConceptDetails
DualismThe Gospel of John contains clear dualistic themes, particularly the juxtaposition of light and darkness, truth and falsehood, which can be seen in Gnostic thought. However, in John’s writings, these are not indicative of a fully realized cosmological dualism as found in Gnosticism.
Knowledge and RevelationBoth Gnostic writings and the Johannine texts put significant emphasis on knowledge, understanding, and revelation, with Jesus being presented as the bringer of divine knowledge. However, the “knowledge” in John’s Gospel is more relational and salvific, focused on knowing Jesus and the Father, as opposed to the Gnostic idea of salvific knowledge of the divine realm and the self.
LogosThe concept of the Logos, or the divine Word, is central in the Gospel of John, with Jesus identified as the Logos become flesh. Some forms of Gnosticism also contain the concept of a divine Logos. However, the similarities are likely due to shared Hellenistic philosophical influences rather than direct Gnostic influence on the Gospel.
ChristologyJohn’s high Christology, portraying Jesus as pre-existent and divine, may seem to resonate with some Gnostic views of Jesus. However, John’s Christology remains firmly rooted in Jewish monotheism and does not adhere to the Gnostic separation of the divine Christ from the human Jesus.

Please remember that these parallels do not imply that the Gospel of John is a Gnostic text or that the author directly borrowed from Gnostic thought. The Gospel was part of a complex, pluralistic religious milieu, and these parallels may be better understood as part of broader cultural and religious dynamics of the period. Also, the term “Gnostic” and “Gnosticism” itself is a modern scholarly construct, and the ancient movements it refers to were diverse and did not constitute a single unified “Gnostic” tradition.

Differences from the Synoptic Gospels

The Gospel of John stands apart from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in a number of ways, due to its unique perspective, style, and content. Here’s a table comparing some of these differences:

AspectSynoptic GospelsGospel of John
Narrative StructureThe Synoptics follow a similar chronological narrative, starting with Jesus’s baptism and ending with his crucifixion and resurrection. They also include many of the same parables and miracle stories.John’s Gospel is organized differently and includes different events. It lacks many of the familiar stories found in the Synoptics and includes unique episodes like the raising of Lazarus and Jesus’s encounter with Nicodemus.
Jesus’s MinistryIn the Synoptics, Jesus’s ministry is primarily based in Galilee before his final journey to Jerusalem.In John, Jesus’s ministry involves several trips to Jerusalem and focuses less on Galilee.
Teaching StyleIn the Synoptics, Jesus frequently teaches in parables and shorter sayings.In John, Jesus often teaches in extended discourses and metaphors (e.g., “I am the bread of life”). There are no parables in John as there are in the Synoptics.
ChristologyIn the Synoptics, Jesus’s divine identity is gradually revealed through his actions, teachings, and the reactions of those around him. While Jesus’s divinity is clear, there’s more emphasis on his role as a healer, exorcist, and proclaimer of the kingdom.In John, Jesus’s divine identity is explicit and central from the beginning (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”). Jesus often speaks openly about his unity with the Father.
MessiahshipIn the Synoptics, Jesus’s messiahship is often kept secret (the so-called “Messianic Secret”).In John, Jesus is more open about his identity, even declaring himself to be the Messiah in his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Use of “Kingdom of God”The Synoptics frequently mention the “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven.”John rarely uses this phrase, focusing more on eternal life and the promise of resurrection.

While these differences exist, it’s important to note that all four Gospels are considered canonical and contribute to the Christian understanding of Jesus’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection. They each offer unique perspectives that complement each other to provide a fuller picture of who Jesus is.

Modern Scholarly Consensus

The authorship of the Gospel of John has been a topic of scholarly debate for centuries. Here is a table summarizing some of the main scholarly views:

ViewDescription
Johannine AuthorshipSome scholars maintain the traditional view that John, the son of Zebedee and one of the Twelve Apostles, is the author of the Gospel. This view is based on early church tradition and the idea that the author was an eyewitness to the events described.
Johannine School or CommunityMany scholars now believe that the Gospel of John was written by a group or community of people (often called the Johannine community) who were followers of John. This community could have included John himself, but also likely involved other disciples and students who carried on his teachings. This view helps to explain some of the differences and developments between the Gospel of John and the three Synoptic Gospels.
Multiple Authors and RedactionsSome scholars believe that the Gospel of John underwent multiple stages of composition and editing (redaction), potentially by different authors over time. This theory is based on perceived differences in style, theology, and content within the Gospel itself.
Unknown AuthorSome scholars assert that we simply cannot know the identity of the author(s) with certainty. These scholars may emphasize the anonymous nature of the Gospel (the author does not identify himself directly in the text) and the lack of definitive historical evidence.

Despite these different perspectives, it’s worth noting that the Gospel of John, regardless of its authorship, has been accepted as canonical and holds significant spiritual and theological importance within Christianity.

New Testament Books – Author and Date Written

Here’s a table with the New Testament books, traditionally associated authors, and generally accepted dates of composition. Please note that these dates and authors are estimates based on scholarly consensus and historical research, but exact dates and authors remain a topic of ongoing discussion among scholars.

BookTraditional AuthorEstimated Date Written
MatthewMatthewAD 80–90
MarkJohn MarkAD 60–70
LukeLukeAD 60–80
JohnJohnAD 85–95
ActsLukeAD 60–80
RomansPaulAD 55–58
1 CorinthiansPaulAD 53–54
2 CorinthiansPaulAD 55–56
GalatiansPaulAD 48–50
EphesiansPaulAD 60–62
PhilippiansPaulAD 60–62
ColossiansPaulAD 60–62
1 ThessaloniansPaulAD 50–51
2 ThessaloniansPaulAD 50–52
1 TimothyPaulAD 62–64
2 TimothyPaulAD 64–67
TitusPaulAD 62–64
PhilemonPaulAD 60–62
HebrewsUnknown, traditionally PaulAD 60–70
JamesJames, brother of JesusAD 45–50
1 PeterPeterAD 60–64
2 PeterPeterAD 65–68
1 JohnJohnAD 85–95
2 JohnJohnAD 85–95
3 JohnJohnAD 85–95
JudeJude, brother of JesusAD 60–80
RevelationJohnAD 90–96

As a reminder, these are traditional attributions, and there is a wide range of scholarly debate regarding the authorship and dating of several of these books.

FAQs

  1. Who wrote John in the Bible? Traditionally, John the Apostle is believed

to be the author of the Gospel of John. However, modern biblical scholarship often points to the Johannine community, a group of followers of John, as the possible authors.

  1. When was the Gospel of John written? The Gospel of John was likely written towards the end of the first century or the beginning of the second century A.D.
  2. Where was the Gospel of John written? It’s generally believed that the Gospel of John was written in Ephesus, a major city in ancient Asia Minor, now modern-day Turkey.
  3. How is the Gospel of John different from the other Gospels? The Gospel of John stands out from the other three gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) due to its unique style and content. It offers a more spiritual and theological perspective on Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.
  4. Why is the authorship of the Gospel of John important? Understanding who wrote John in the Bible can help us better understand the Gospel’s unique perspective and insights into Jesus’s life and teachings. It also contributes to broader conversations on biblical authorship and interpretation.

Final Thoughts – Who wrote John in the Bible

The question, ‘who wrote John in the Bible,’ is a fascinating journey into biblical scholarship. Whether it was John the Apostle, a community of his followers, or some other early Christian group, understanding the Gospel’s authorship opens the door to a deeper understanding of its unique message and theological richness.

How to be saved according to the Bible    In order to understand how to be saved, we first need to understand what salvation is. Salvation is when God forgives our sins and gives us eternal life. It's a free gift from God that we can't earn on our own. So how do we receive this gift? The Bible tells us that there are six steps: hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, repenting again, and believers baptism. Let's break each one of these down.     Hearing - The first step is hearing the gospel. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. This news must be heard in order for us to believe it.     Believing - Once we hear the gospel, we must believe it. This means that we trust that Jesus is who He says He is and that He can save us from our sins.     Repenting - Once we believe the gospel, we must repent of our sins. This means that we turn away from our sin and start living for God.     Confessing - After we repent of our sins, we need to confess them to God. This means that we tell God all of the sinful things we have done and ask Him for forgiveness.     Believers Baptism - The final step is believers baptism. This is when a person who has already believed and repented is baptized in water as an outward sign of their inward decision to follow Christ. Baptism doesn't save us, but it's an important step of obedience for every Christian.     Discipling others -  Finally, once we have received salvation through these steps, it's important that we continue to grow in our faith and share the gospel with others so they too can be saved.      These are the six steps required for salvation according to the Bible: hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, repenting again, and believers baptism. If you have never done these things or if you're not sure if you've done them correctly, I encourage you to talk to a pastor or other Christian friend who can help guide you through these steps. Salvation is a free gift from God, but it's one that we need to take intentional steps to receive. Don't wait another day - start your journey towards salvation today!

Author

  • Greg Gaines

    Father / Grandfather / Minister / Missionary / Deacon / Elder / Author / Digital Missionary / Foster Parents / Welcome to our Family https://jesusleadershiptraining.com/about-us/

    View all posts
Spread the Gospel