The
Book of John
I. The Author
1. Irenaeus (185AD), Clement (200 AD), and Tertullian (200 AD) "use the four gospels as full and decisively as any modern writer." (Westcott).
2. John's gospel was well known and regarded as authoritative in the first half of the second century.
3. Gnostics made early use of the book. Balilides (120 AD), Gnostic teacher of Alexandria, quotes 1:9. It was later realized that this book was the most effective refutation of the Gnostic world view and was used by the church more Generally.
4. Maturation Fragment, an incomplete list on the NT books (180-200 AD), says that John wrote the book.
5. Clement of Alexandria (190-200 AD) knows John the Apostle as its author.
6. Tertullian (200 AD) ascribed the fourth gospel to John the apostle.
7. Origen (200 AD) stated that John, the beloved disciple, wrote the fourth gospel and Revelation.
8. Irenaeus (185 AD) wrote: "Then John, the disciple of the Lord, who had even rested on his breast, himself also gave forth the gospel, while he was living in Ephesus in Asia." He argues that there can be no more or fewer than four gospels.
9. Eusebeus (330 AD) gives it as one of "the undoubted writings of this apostle"__John.
10. Polycrates (196 AD) and Theophilus (c. 170-180 AD) recognize the book as being written by John.
11. Justin Martyr (c. 160. AD) quotes from John 3:3-5.
12. Ignatius (died 110 AD) alludes to John 3:8 and other verses.
Summary statement by Westcott: The "universal tradition of the early church which assigned the work to the apostle John."
Bibliography
This is an old Bibliography but will still provide the best books out there on John.
1. Barclay, William, The Gospel of John 2 Vols. The Westminster Press (Philadelphia), 1956. (Very Good)
2. Butler, Paul T., The Gospel of John 2 Vols. College Press (Joplin) 1961. (Good)
3. Erdman, Charles R., The Gospel of John in 17 Vols. NT set, The Westminster Press (Philadelphia) 1944.
4. Hendriksen, William, The Gospel of John, Baker Book House (Grand Rapids), 1961. (Died in the wool Calvinism)
5. MacLeod, A.J. , "The Gospel According to John" in N.B.C. (London), 1961.
6. Guthrie, Donald, "John" in New Bible Commentary (Rev.) 1970.
7. (The Best of all) Morris, Leon, The Gospel According to John in the New International Commentaries, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids), 1971.
8. Tasker, R.V.G., The Gospel According to John in Tyndale, New Testament Commentaries, The Tyndale Press (London), 1960.
9. Vincent, Marvin R. , Word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. II, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids), 1946.
10. Westcott, B.F., The Gospel According to St. John, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids), 1950.
11. Godet, Frederic Louis, Commentary on St. Johns Gospel, Kregel (Grand Rapids), 1969.
12. Morris, Leon, Studies in the Fourth Gospel, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids), 1969.
13. Pack, Frank, The Gospel According to John in The Living Word Commentary, 2 Vols. Sweet Publishing Co. (Austin), 1977 (This is ACU).
14. Carson, D.A. The final Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus, Baker Book House (Grand Rapids), 1980
15. Bruce, F.F. The Gospel of John, Eerdmans Grand Rapid), 1983
16. Gilliam, Doyle, Commentary on John. Found in Commentary On The New Testament in Simple English (Ian Tate, Editor). Resource Publications (Searcy), 1987.
II. Internal Evidence for John
1. The author was a Jew
A. His style. Aramaic background of the expressions. (See notes on Aramaic).
B. His through knowledge of the OT. Uses both the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint for his quotes.
C. His references to Jewish and Samaritan religious beliefs, particularity the coming of Messiah!
D. His knowledge of religious and political conditions in Palestine, with Jewish feast and purification rites.
2. A Palestinian Jew___His detailed knowledge of Palestinian topography especially Jerusalem and the Temple.
3. He was an eye-witness: remembers the exact hour when events took place, many other details, i.e., place where the napkin lay (20:7), name of the servant of the High Priest (18:10), "it was winter" (10:22) and many other details.
4. The apostle John:
a. "The disciple whom Jesus loved"--21:20-24. Cf. 20:2; 21:7
See also:
13:23,25
19:26, 27, 35
20:2-8
Cf. 1:35-40
18:15f
b. He was at the Lord's Supper--13:23. Only the twelve present Mat. 26:20; Mk. 14:17; Lk. 22:14, 30.
c. The three disciples especially close to Jesus: Peter, James, and John--Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33.
(1) James beheaded--Acts 12:1-2
(2) Peter distinguished from that disciple--John 13:23-24: 20:22ff.; 21:7; 21:20ff.
(3) Leaves John as that disciple.
d. John is not mentioned by name. Why such a prominent disciple and apostle is not mentioned by the author if the author is someone else other than John?
e. Why also speak of John the Baptist only as "John" since the author of the fourth gospel was very exact in defining names elsewhere: i.e.:
"Judas Iscariot, son of Simon"--13:2
"Judas (not Judas Iscariot)" --14:22.
III. Summary Note on John The Apostle:
1. The five Johns of the New Testament:
a. John the Baptist
b. John the father of Peter - 1:42; 21:15-17; Cf. Matt. 16:17
c. John Mark - Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5,13; 15:37-39
d. John in the Sanhedrin - Acts 4:5,6. Cf. Johanan ben Zakki (?) (Reese, Acts pp. 175-176).
e. John the apostle.