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THE KING’S BUSINESS
5 :8-ll, He was thé first disciple, and he was the last. And so thus heard the first and the last words the incarnate Word spoke to His Church. His Position in the Apostolic Circle. It is interesting to note concerning John —that he was one o f the many disciples (John 1; Matthew 4) ; one o f the twelve (Matthew 12) ; one o f the three (Matthew 17:1) who alone were permitted to wit ness the raising o f Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51), the transfiguration (Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9), and the agony in the garden (Mark 14; Luke 22; Matthew 27) ; he was one o f the two (John 1:40) ; and finally he was the one (John 13:23). C. THE DATE Probably 90 A. D. Certainly after the Synoptic gospels. Tradition says that John wrote his gospel to supplement those o f Matthew,' Mark and Luke. Written probably at Ephesus. D. CHARACTERISTICS OF JOHN’S GOSPEL It Is Reflective. The other gospels, are more in the form o f narrative. John’s Gospel pauses at almost every turn—now to give a reason, then to fix the attention, at another time to deduce consequences, or to make appli cations. § See arid compare 2 :20, 21, 22, ^5; 4:1, 2; 7:37-39; 11:12, 13, 49, 52 ; 21:18, 19, 22, 23. It Is Supplementary. It not only completes but confirms the Synoptic gospels. It omits much that the Synoptics record ; and it records much that the Synoptics omit. Tradition has it that John was led to write this .Gospel in order to supplement the Gospel o f Matthew, Mark and Luke. Incidents and events recorded in John, but hot in the Synoptics : The introduction and testimony o f John (1:1-51) ; the first miracle (2 :1-11); the first passover ( 2 :13-22) ; the visit of Nicod- emus (3:1-21) ; the last testimony o f John the Baptist (3:23-26); the woman o f Samaria (4:<4-42) ; the .second miracle in
Cana (4:46-54); the second passover (c. 5 ) ; the discourse in the synagogue (6:25- 71H the discourse o f the nature and office o f Christ (cc. 8-10) ; the raising o f Laz arus, and the second anointing (11:1- 12:11); the discourses in the upper room and the great prayer (cc. 14-17) ; certain incidents connected with the resurrection (20:2-10; 21:1-25). The miracles o f the Synoptists. appear to set forth Christ’s comradeship, and His pity for the sorrows o f the world; the miracles o f John, however, seem mainly used to insist upon their value as “ signs” o f Christ’s deity and divine glory. John records but eight miracles, and six o f them jre peculiar to him. Emphasis is laid upon the extraordinary nature o f the miracles setting forth Christ’s power in a most demonstrable way. The healing is at a distance; the palsy was o f thirty-eight years’ duration; the dead raised had been dead four days already. Another feature o f the miracles as recorded by John is that they seem to be recorded' for the sake o f the addresses that accompany them. Amplify the miracles and see. It Comprises all the Characteristics of the Synoptists: 1. Jesus as the MESSIAH—Matthew—S (1:49 y 4:25, 26; 18:36, 37). 2. Jesus as the SERVANT OF GOD— Mark— (3:16; 5:30; 6:38; 17:4). 3. Jesus as the SON OF MAN—Luke— (6:54; 12:27; 19:30, 31; 11:34; 4 :6 ; 19 :28). 4. He presents Jesus Christ above all, as the SON OF GOD—as God made mani fest in the flesh (1:18; 20:28) ; His eternal pre-existence (1 :1 ); His separate exist ence (1 :1) ; He was God ( 1 :1) ; Creator o f all things* (1 :3) ; the only-begotten Son, literally, the only-begotten God (1:18) ; the Son o f God (1 :4 9 ); equal with the Father ( 5 :23) ; etc. E. THE PURPOSE “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence o f His disciples, which are not written in this book : But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son o f God; and that
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