John

How it is laid out

1. The Word became fleshchapter 1
2. The signschapters 2–12
3. The last supper and the farewellchapters 13–17
4. Death and resurrectionchapters 18–21

Key verses

• John 1:14 — The Word became flesh
• John 3:16 — God loved the world in this way
• John 20:31 — So that you may go on believing and have life in his name
• John 14:6 — I am the way and the truth and the life

Who wrote it

The book says it was written by “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (21:20, 24). Irenaeus, late in the 2nd century, says that John, the disciple of the Lord, published the Gospel while living in Ephesus (Against Heresies 3.1.1); tradition identifies him with the apostle John, son of Zebedee.

When it was written

Around the end of the 1st century AD, according to tradition. The date is debated.

For whom, and in what situation

The book says why it was written: so that its readers may go on believing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing they may have life in his name (20:31). According to tradition, it was published in Ephesus.