Gospel of John 09.vp

20

The Gospe l of John

3. John’s Gospel differs from the Synoptics in critical ways.

a. In its focus on the inner life and consciousness of Jesus , especially on his understanding of his ministry to the Father’s sovereign commandment (see John 5)

b. In its concentration upon Jesus’ discourses and teachings in extended form , the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17)

c. In its theological focus on Jesus as the eternal Son of God and the Messiah of Israel, John 1

B. Unique features of John’s Gospel

1. The deity of Jesus is communicated with clarity and power, e.g., John 1.1-3; 8.58; chapter 5, etc.

2. The emphasis on belief is central: Believe is used more than 100 times in the Gospel of John, and occurs less than 40 times in the Synoptic Gospels (note that the term faith does not occur in John, but is used in the Synoptics).

3. The recurring theme of eternal life associated with belief in Jesus as God’s Son sacrificed for humankind. Eternal life occurs 35 times in John, but only 12 times in the Synoptics.

4. The focus on the Fatherhood of God . John uses the word “father” 137 times, more than twice as often as anyone else; the term occurs in Matthew 64 times, and 63 times in Paul’s writings.