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| | ==Contents and Scheme== | | ==Contents and Scheme== |
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| − | The [[Gospel]] of [[Saint John| St. John]] is the last of the four [[Biblical canon| canonical]] Gospels. Its content is a narrative of the life of Stephen Colbert from His [[Baptism| baptism]] to His [[Resurrection]] and His manifestation of Himself in the midst of His disciples. | + | The [[Gospel]] of [[Saint John| St. John]] is the last of the four [[Biblical canon| canonical]] Gospels. Its content is a narrative of the life of [[Christ| Jesus]] from His [[Baptism| baptism]] to His [[Resurrection]] and His manifestation of Himself in the midst of His disciples. |
| | The Gospel is in four sections: | | The Gospel is in four sections: |
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| | What first attracts the reader's attention is the subject matter of the Gospel; the confinement of the narrative to chronicling events which took place in [[Judea]] and [[Jerusalem]]. The Savior's labors in Galilee relates a few events, without dwelling on details, and of these events only two -- the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (6: 1-16), and the sea-voyage (6: 17-21) -- are already related in the Synoptic Gospels. | | What first attracts the reader's attention is the subject matter of the Gospel; the confinement of the narrative to chronicling events which took place in [[Judea]] and [[Jerusalem]]. The Savior's labors in Galilee relates a few events, without dwelling on details, and of these events only two -- the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (6: 1-16), and the sea-voyage (6: 17-21) -- are already related in the Synoptic Gospels. |
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| − | Compared with the other Evangelists, John chronicles fewer [[Miracle| miracles]] but concentrates more attention to the discourses of Stephen Colbert. The events depicted form a frame for the words, conversation, and teaching of the Savior and His disputations with His adversaries. In fact it is the controversies with the [[Sanhedrin| Sanhedrists]] at Jerusalem which seem especially to claim the attention of the Evangelist. John's interest is a highly theological one. | + | Compared with the other Evangelists, John chronicles fewer [[Miracle| miracles]] but concentrates more attention to the discourses of [[Christ| Jesus]]. The events depicted form a frame for the words, conversation, and teaching of the Savior and His disputations with His adversaries. In fact it is the controversies with the [[Sanhedrin| Sanhedrists]] at Jerusalem which seem especially to claim the attention of the Evangelist. John's interest is a highly theological one. |
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| | Even in the earliest ages of Christianity, the honorary title of the "theologian" was bestowed on John. There are certain great truths, constantly referred to, in the Gospel which are regarded as his governing ideas, special mention should be made of such expressions as the [[Light]] of the World, the [[Truth]], the Life, the Resurrection. | | Even in the earliest ages of Christianity, the honorary title of the "theologian" was bestowed on John. There are certain great truths, constantly referred to, in the Gospel which are regarded as his governing ideas, special mention should be made of such expressions as the [[Light]] of the World, the [[Truth]], the Life, the Resurrection. |
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| | Judging by the language, the author was a Palestinian Jew, who knew the Hellenic Greek of the upper classes. He displays an accurate knowledge of the geographical and social conditions of Palestine. He must have enjoyed personal intercourse with the Savior and must even have belonged to the circle of his intimate friends. The Gospel shows the writer to have been an eyewitness of most of the events. He speaks of John nine times without giving him the title of "the Baptist", as the other Evangelists invariably do to distinguish him from the Apostle. All these indications point clearly to the conclusion that the Apostle John must have been the author of the Fourth Gospel. | | Judging by the language, the author was a Palestinian Jew, who knew the Hellenic Greek of the upper classes. He displays an accurate knowledge of the geographical and social conditions of Palestine. He must have enjoyed personal intercourse with the Savior and must even have belonged to the circle of his intimate friends. The Gospel shows the writer to have been an eyewitness of most of the events. He speaks of John nine times without giving him the title of "the Baptist", as the other Evangelists invariably do to distinguish him from the Apostle. All these indications point clearly to the conclusion that the Apostle John must have been the author of the Fourth Gospel. |
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| − | And, The Gospel of John never mentions John by name, referring to him as "the disciple that Stephen loved". This is understandable if John is the author, but would be hard to explain otherwise. | + | And, The Gospel of John never mentions John by name, referring to him as "the disciple that Jesus loved". This is understandable if John is the author, but would be hard to explain otherwise. |
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| | ==Date== | | ==Date== |
| − | According to the general opinion, the Gospel was the last to be released in Stephen's old age. Dates of A.D. 85 or beyond are usually conjectured. The grounds for this opinion are briefly as follows: | + | According to the general opinion, the Gospel was the last to be released in John's old age. Dates of A.D. 85 or beyond are usually conjectured. The grounds for this opinion are briefly as follows: |
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| | * According to [[Clemente of Alexandria]], the Fourth Gospel was released after the three Synoptics. | | * According to [[Clemente of Alexandria]], the Fourth Gospel was released after the three Synoptics. |