Authorship and Purpose of John's Gospel

Question 1

What is the evidence that John the apostle is the author?

Answer 1

Internal:
- The author is described as the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. The Gospel also includes details that only an eyewitness could know, such as the type of wood used for the cross.
External:
- Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Polycrates of Ephesus, all state that John the apostle wrote the Gospel

Question 2

What is the evidence that John the Elder is the author?

Answer 2

External:
- Papias mentions a John who is not an apostle, and calls him “the elder”.

Question 3

What is the evidence that John Mark is the author?

Answer 3

Some argue for the presence of another John in Ephesus at the time of the Gospels composition

Question 4

What is the evidence that the Johannine community is the author?

Answer 4

Internal evidence:
The Johannine works contain statements that suggest they were written by an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry.
External evidence:
Early church tradition supports the idea that the Apostle John wrote the Johannine works. (E.g. Papias)

Question 5

What is one purpose of the Fourth gospel?

Answer 5

Jn 20:30-31 - “that you may believe… may have life in his name”
To convert the Jews:
- The 4th Gospel had a high Christology, written to a Jewish audience as they are more likely to question who is Christ. John’s purpose was to evangelise Jews. (Carson)
To convert the Hellenists:
- John had a Hellenist audience, the gospel was written for a group aware of their spiritual needs. The Hellenistic philosophy is similar to the style of the 4th gospel. (Dodd)

Question 6

What is the second purpose of the Fourth gospel?

Answer 6

Jn 20:30-31 - “…that Jesus is the Messiah…”
Jn 1:29 - “the Lamb of G-d, who takes away the sin of the world”
Christ in the 4th Gospel:
- John’s narrative focuses on his messianic mission
The messiah hidden and revealed:
- Jesus is described in an overly messianic tone (John TB)
Developing messianic ideas from the synoptic tradition:
- The 4th gospel clarifies and extends the concept of Messianic hope

Question 7

What is the third purpose of the Fourth gospel?

Answer 7

Jn 20:30-31 - “…that Jesus is…the Son of G-d…”
Jn 10:29 - “I and the father are one”
The son of G-d in the 4th Gospel:
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