Bible Commentaries
John

When we open up the Fourth Gospel we note immediately that it is different from the other three. While the three synoptic gospels focus on what Jesus taught, the Fourth Gospel focuses on who Jesus is.<footnote>David Guzik, David Guzik Commentaries on the Bible; Commentary on John, 1997-2003, Introduction. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-1/</footnote> "Matthew and Luke begin with Jesus' birth, Mark begins with his baptism, but John begins before the creation…"<footnote>Dr. Bob Utley, The Beloved Disciple's Memoirs and Letters:The Gospel of John, 1, 2 and 3 John. Introduction. http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL04/VOL04_01.html</footnote> While the other gospels focus on the natural events related to Jesus, John focuses on the spiritual significance of these events. Early Christian writers symbolized the Gospel of John as an eagle, likely because of the lofty heights the author attained.<footnote>Gary M. Burge, John's Gospel, The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary (Colorado Springs: Cook Communications Ministries, 2005), p. 40.</footnote> It is reported that the great Augustine (354-430) said of this gospel that it is deep enough for an elephant to swim in but it is shallow enough for a little child not to drown.<footnote>Andreas J. Kostenberger, Encountering John (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1999), p. 19.</footnote>

In chapters 2 through 11 John demonstrates Jesus as the Christ and Son of God by presenting seven selected miracles or signs.<footnote>Ibid., p. 39.</footnote> We are soon aware that the author of this gospel is an eyewitness to the events of Jesus' life (John 19:35; 21:24; 19:26).

From ancient times, John the son of Zebedee, and close disciple of Jesus, was regarded as the author of this book. He is not mentioned by name in the text, but that is also was the case with authors of the other three gospels. John's authorship was attested by Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 180-200) and by Irenaeus (around 200).<footnote>Burge, John's Gospel, The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary, p. 38.</footnote> His authorship was attested by others such as Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch and by the church historian Eusebius.<footnote>Kenneth L. Barker & John R. Kohlenberger III, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary , Vol. 2, New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994), p. 290.</footnote>

The Gospel of John was probably aimed at the millions of new Gentile Christians who had some basic knowledge of the faith but needed more depth. They needed grounding in order to counteract the numerous heresies that were appearing at latter part of the century.<footnote>Ibid., pp. 290-292.</footnote> Many teachers were saying that Jesus was not the Son of God and some were claiming that he was not truly human. In addition, persecution of the church was beginning in a systematic manner and the believers were in need of strong faith.

In his late life, and probably before the fall of Jerusalem to Rome in AD 70, John moved to the large Gentile city of Ephesus. It was from there that he likely wrote his gospel. Most conservative scholars think that the date of the writing was around 85 to 90.<footnote>Ibid., p. 291.</footnote>

Today we have a papyrus fragment of John's gospel, the Rylands Papyri in the John Rylands University Library Manchester, UK. This fragment is dated around AD 130.<footnote>F. F. Bruce, The Gospel of John (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1983), p. 6.</footnote> It is thought to be the earliest fragment of any New Testament text.