JOHN, GOSPEL OF ST., the fourth and latest of the Gospels, in the Bible, and, next to that of St. Mark, the shortest. This article will first describe its general structure and more obvious contents, compare it with the Synoptic Gospels, and draw out its leading characteristics and final object; it will then apply the tests thus gained to the narratives special to this Gospel, and point out the book's special difficulties and limits, and its abiding appeal and greatness ; and finally, consider the questions of its origin and authorship.
I. (i.) Introduces the whole work (i. 1). (a) The logue (i. 1-18). The Logos existed before creation and time; was with the very God and was God; and all things were made through Him. For in this Logos is Life, and this Life is a Light which, though shining in darkness, cannot be suppressed by it. This true Light became flesh and tabernacled amongst us; and we beheld His glory, as of an Only-Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist testified concerning Him, the Logos Light and Logos-Life incarnate ; but this Logos alone, who is in the bosom of the Father, hath declared the very God. (b) The four days' work (i. 19-51). On the first three days John declares that he is not the Christ, proclaims Jesus to be the Christ, and sends his own disciples away to Jesus. On the fourth day, Jesus Himself calls Philip and Nathanael. (c) The seventh day's first manifestation of the Incarnate Light's glory (ii. 1–i I) ; Jesus at Cana turns water into wine.
(ii.) Records the manifestations of the Light's and Life's glory and power to friend and foe (ii. 22–vi. 71). (d) Solemn inaugu ration of the Messianic ministry (ii. 12–Hi. 21) : cleansing of the Temple and prophecy of His resurrection ; discourse to Nico demus on baptismal regeneration. (e) Three scenes in Judea, Samaria, Galilee respectively (iii. 32–iv. 54) : the Baptist's second testimony; Jesus' discourse with the woman at the well concern ing the spiritual, universal character of the new religion ; and cure of the ruler's son, the reward of faith in the simple word of Jesus.
(f) Manifestation of Jesus as the vivifying Life-Logos and its contradiction in Judea, v.: the paralytic's cure. (g) Manifestation of Jesus as the heaven-descended living Bread and its contradic tion in Galilee, vi.: multiplication of the loaves ; walking on the waters ; and His discourse on the Holy Eucharist.
(iii.) Acute conflict between the New Light and the old dark ness (vii.–xii.). (h) Self-manifestation of the Logos-Light in the Temple (vii. i–x. 39). Journey to the feast of tabernacles; invita tion to the soul athirst to come to Him (the fountain of Life) and drink, and proclamation of Himself as the Light of the world; cure of the man born blind; allegory of the good shepherd. The allegory continued at the feast of the dedication. They strive to stone or to take Him. (i) The Logos-Life brings Lazarus to life; effects of the act (x. 4o–xii. 5o). Jesus withdraws beyond Jordan, and then comes to Bethany, His friend Lazarus being buried three days; proclaims Himself the Resurrection and the Life; and calls Lazarus back to life. Some who saw it report the act to the Pharisees ; the Sanhedrim meets, Caiaphas declares that one man must die for the people, and henceforward they ceaselessly plan His death. Jesus withdraws to the Judean desert, but soon returns, six days before Passover, to Bethany; Mary anoints Him, a crowd comes to see Him and Lazarus, and the hierarchs then plan the killing of Lazarus also. Next morning He rides into Jerusalem on an ass's colt. Certain Greeks desire to see Him : He declares the hour of His glorification to have come : "Now My soul is troubled. . . . Father, save Me from this hour. But for this have I come unto this hour: Father, glorify Thy Name." A voice answers, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again": some think that an angel spoke ; but Jesus explains that this voice was not for His sake but for theirs. When lifted up from the earth, He will draw all men to Himself ; they are to believe in Him, the Light. The writer's concluding reflection : the small success of Jesus' activity among the Jews. Once again He cries : "I am come a Light into the world, that whoso believeth in Me should not abide in darkness." 2. The Logos-Christ's manifestation of His life and love to His disciples, during the last supper, the passion, the risen life (xiii.–xx.).