Book Overview - John

by C.I. Scofield

Book Introduction - John

WRITER: The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John John 21:24. This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained.

DATE: The date of John's Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. Probably the latter.

THEME: This is indicated both in the Prologue (John 1:1-14), and in the last verse of the Gospel proper (John 20:31), and is: The incarnation of the eternal Word, and Son of life; (2) that as many as believe on Him as "the Christ, the Son of God" (John 20:31) may have eternal life. The prominent words are, "believed" and "life."

The book is in seven natural divisions:

1. Prologue: The eternal Word incarnate in Jesus the Christ, John 1:1-14.

2. The witness of John the Baptist, John 1:15-34.

3. The public ministry of Christ, John 1:35 to John 12:50.

4. The private ministry of Christ to His own, John 13:1 to John 17:26.

5. The sacrifice of Christ, John 18:1 to John 19:42.

6. The manifestation of Christ in resurrection, John 20:1-31.

7. Epilogue: Christ the Master of life and service, John 21:1-25.

The events recorded in this book cover a period of 7 years.

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