The Gospel of John

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The Gospel of John
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John and the Synoptic Gospel

• Synoptic- Greek- with the same viewpoint
• The Synoptic Problem the task of explaining the
  similarities and differences among the Synoptic
  Gospels
• Verbatim, A dependent on B B on A or another
  source
• Evidences suggests literary independence among
  Mt, Mk, and Lk
• John is not a part of this synoptic relationship
  apparently did not use any of the Synoptics or
  their sources
• Difference between John and the Synoptics that
  justify treating them separately.

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Items in the Synoptics, Not John

• Major events of Jesus life (birth, baptism,
  temptations, transfiguration, etc.) None of these
  in John.
• Exorcism (casting out demons)
• Secrecy about Jesus identity and actions
• Parables

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Items in John, Not the Synoptics

• Philosophical treatment of Jesus as Logos
  pre-existent agent prior to his incarnation
  (11-18)
• Baptism by Jesus and his disciples
• Numerous miracle stories and other individual
  episodes (eg. The raising of Lazarus (11)
• Farwell discourses and the Holy Spirit as
  Counselor (14-17)

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Different Geographical Setting

• Synoptics
• Jesus in Galilee
• Jesus goes to Jerusalem once at the end

• John
• Frequent trips to Jerusalem
• Jesus has an extensive ministry in Jerusalem

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Different Impression on the Length of Jesus
Ministry

• Synoptics
• One Passover mentioned
• Implication is a ministry of one year or less

• John
• At least 3 Passovers mentioned
• Implication of ministry of three years or more

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Same Events Positioned Differently in the Story

• Jesus Clears the Temple
• Early in John (2)
• Later in the Synoptics (Mt 21 Mk 11 Lk 19)
• 2?
• Temple- Religious Civil Economic
• Die

• Last Supper
• Synoptics- Passover meal
• John- Last supper and even Jesus death are
  before Passover

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Difference in Form and Content of Jesus Teachings

• Synoptics
• Parable Misc. Short says
• Jesus speaks about the Kingdom and downplays
  talking about himself
• Envisions future judgment apocalyptic eschatology

• John
• Long meditative discourses on a single theme (eg.
  Bread of life)
• Jesus speaks openly about his identity and
  relation to God
• Eternal life a present possession more of a
  realized eschatology (12, 17)

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Distinctive Johannine Vocabulary

• Dualistic
• Life vs death
• Light vs darkness
• Truth vs error
• Things above vs things below
• Flesh vs spirit
• Belief vs unbelief

• Common Words with special Theological
• Believe-98 X commitment in life
• Life (eternal life) 35 X
• What God has in store for the believer
• Signs- points to something
• Word (Logos)
• I Am

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Key to John

• John 2030-31, Jesus did many other miraculous
  signs in the presence of his disciples, which are
  not recorded in this book. But these are written
  that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
  the Son of God, and that by believing you may
  have life in his name.

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Survey of John

• The Incarnation of the Son (11-18)
• The Presentation of the Son (119-454)
• The Opposition to the Son (51-1250)
• The Preparation of the Disciples by the Son of
  God (131-1726)
• The Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Son of
  God (181-2125)

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Lamb of God

• John 129, 36
• John in Revelation calls Jesus a lamb 28X
• Old Testament
• Sin offering (Lev 4)
• Trespass offering (Lev 5)
• Day Atonement (Lev 16)
• Passover (Ex 12)

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• Isa 537-12, He was oppressed and afflicted, yet
  he did not open his mouth he was led like a lamb
  to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her
  shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
  By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And
  who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut
  off from the land of the living for the
  transgression of my people he was stricken. He
  was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with
  the rich in his death, though he had done no
  violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it
  was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to
  suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a
  guilt offering, he will see his offspring and
  prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will
  prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his
  soul, he will see the light of life and be
  satisfied by his knowledge my righteous servant
  will justify many, and he will bear their
  iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion
  among the great, and he will divide the spoils
  with the strong, because he poured out his life
  unto death, and was numbered with the
  transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and
  made intercession for the transgressors.