The Gospel of John: Overview & Main Themes

Leo Wisniewski

This huddle will be focused on reading and discussing the Gospel of John. We will explore the claims of Christ (11:25,14:6) in the context of John's overarching theme, "Life in Jesus Name." Please read over the prologue (1:1-18) a few times paying close attention to main themes: word (Greek logos) 1:1, 14, light & life 1:4, Jesus Light of the World 1:5,9, the Word becomes flesh 1:14,18 and Christ revealing Grace & Truth 1:14,17. We will see an expansion of these themes in real life encounters by Jesus throughout (i.e. Samaritan woman-grace & truth theme in John 4:1-26). The opening of John (Fourth Gospel) takes readers back to Genesis; to the beginning of creation and the Word’s (Logos) pre-existence before creation with God. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” (1:1)

“The Prologue summarizes how the ‘Word’ which was with God in the very beginning came into the sphere of time, history, tangibility-in other words, how the Son of God was sent into the world to become the Jesus of history, so that the glory and grace of God might be uniquely and perfectly disclosed.” 1

The Greek term John chose, logos, had a rich context for understanding in Greek philosophy. Many understood logos to be the rational principle whereby al things exist, the essence of the rational human soul. They saw no other god than logos with all things coming from the seeds of this one logos. Generally, logos can refer to inner thought or reason (one translation for logos). It can refer to outward expression (speech or message). This is why most believe that Word is the best translation. 2

Message is an intriguing translation since gospel means the “good news” message about God’s plan of salvation for lost sinners. 1 Corinthians 1:18 embodies this, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Jesus is the Word and God’s message to us. The cross is the heart of God’s message!

John’s background of thought for logos included the wealth of Old Testament references to the word, certainly Genesis 1:3 where God’s creative activity is accomplished with his word/command. Since we are studying Isaiah in our Tuesday morning huddle, Isaiah 55:10-11 is jumping out at me, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

The purpose statement however for John's gospel is not found in the prologue. It is seen in 20:31..“these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

The Greek word for life, Zoe, is used here and in many other passages (John 1:4, 5:21, 6:33,10:10, 11:25) referring to a present dimension and future realization of eternal life. It is sometimes used with the Greek, Aiownion (aeons), and translated eternal life. It is the gift of God offered to the world in Christ through faith (11:25). The other Greek work used for life is Psukay (Psyche), referring to natural life. The juxtaposition between their meaning is seen in Jesus words that profoundly point us to the paradox of following Christ.

“The man who loves his life (Psukay) will lose it, while the man who hates his life (Psukay) in this world will keep it for eternal life (Zoe Aiownion).”John 12:25

We will not merely inherit eternal life after death but we will experience in the here and now a quality of life that will transcend anything that we have known. Jesus declaration to Lazarus’ sister Martha emphasized this present dimension of our life being connected, even united, to Christ who is the resurrection and the life (11:25-26). Because of this union with Christ, death is only a passageway. Jesus question to Martha is pointed to us as well, “Do you believe this?”

It all hinges on faith’s embrace of Christ’s victory over sin and death for us. Remember John’s mission statement (20:31), “by believing you may have life in his name.”

Additionally, we will dig into two other themes: John’s use of “signs” that reveal the glory of God (2:11, 6:14, 9:16, 11:47). The greatest of these signs is the Cross of Christ (19:28-37). The purpose of these signs is to reveal the glory of God (1:14) and to elicit faith or strengthen it among God’s people.

We will also explore the significance of John’s 7 “I AM” sayings confirming Jesus full divinity. The link from Jesus self revelation as the I AM occurs in John 8:58 to make clear to the Pharisees his true identity. He puts himself as equal with God (“Before Abraham was I AM.”) who revealed himself to Moses as the great I AM. The I AM revelations in Johnreveal unique aspects to Christ’s attributes in the Godhead (6:35,8:12,10:11, 11:25, 14:6). These include: the bread of life, the good shepherd, the light of the world, the resurrection and the life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

  1. “The Gospel According To John” D.A. Carson, p. 111.
  2. Ibid, p. 114-115.