Johannine Tribune
The Gospel of John
Overview of the Gospel of John
- Only non-synoptic Gospel
- Last Gospel written
- written around AD 90
- High in Christology
- Divided into 2 parts
- Book of Signs
- Book of Glory
- Audience- Johannine community, Jewish Christians
- Constant imagery of light and darkness
Flying High
- High Christology
- Symbolic animal- eagle
- John's symbolic animal is the only animal not land bound in the Gospels because it is symbolic of its Gospel's high Christology
- Eagle symbolizes emphasis on Jesus' divinity throughout this Gospel
- Jesus is always in control
- He sits on the judgement seat, while Pilate appears confused.
- He knows he has a job to do and intends to do it.
- There is no agony in the garden
- His last words on the cross are, "It is finished." He has done what he was supposed to do.
- John's audience, the Johannine community, was a group of Jewish Christians. who were strongly influenced by John the Apostle.
- The author of John thought they focused too much on the humanity of Jesus and not enough on his divinity.
- Therefore, the author wrote the Gospel using high Christology to emphasize his divinity to the community.
The 7 Signs
- These are the miracles that Jesus performs to prove he is the Son of God
- All these signs withhold a deeper, allegorical meaning
- Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12)
- Restoring the Health of the royal Official's Son (John 4: 46-54)
- Curing on the Sabbath (John 5: 1-18)
- Multiplying the Loaves (John 6: 1-15)
- Walking on Water (John 6: 16-21)
- Healing the Man Born Blind (John 9: 1-12)
- Raising Lazarus (John 11: 1-44)
- The signs that are bold are not seen in any other Gospel
I AM
- Jesus makes 7 "I AM" statements throughout this Gospel
- "I am the bread of life."
- "I am the good shepherd."
- "I am the vine."
- "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
- "I am the light of the world."
- "I am the gate."
- "I am the Resurrection and the Life."
- These statements equate Jesus with God because it is the title of God given to Moses
- Contributes to the high Christology of John's Gospel
Lamb of God... BAAAA
- John uses the image of Jesus as the Lamb of God
- Jesus is crucified the day before Passover, and acts as the Passover lamb
- He is sacrificed, like the lamb, for all of humanity.
- Jesus' knees are not broken after his death; the legs of the Passover lamb are not to be broken.
The Beloved Disciple
- Never named, but very close to Jesus.
- John uses the Beloved Disciple to depict the model disciple.
- He is always in contrast to Peter.
- He stood at the foot of the cross and reaches the tomb before Peter.
Works Cited
Senior, Donald. “Reading Guide.” The Catholic Study Bible. New York: Oxford UP, 1990.
Zanzig, Thomas. Jesus of History, Christ of Faith. 3rd ed. Winona, MN: Saint Mary's, 1999. Print.