As usual, I'm going to post some lengthy introductory material today. If you have any questions about the passage for today, be sure to ask in the comments!
How John is Different from the Synoptic Gospels
A. Matthew and Luke begin with Jesus’ birth, Mark begins with His baptism, but John begins before the creation.
B. John presents the full deity of Jesus of Nazareth from the first verse of the first chapter and repeats this emphasis throughout the Gospel. The Synoptic Gospels veil this truth until late in their presentations (“The Messianic Secret”).
C. Apparently John develops his Gospel in light of the basic affirmations of the Synoptic Gospels. He attempts to supplement and interpret the life and teachings of Jesus in light of the needs of the early church (late first century). He was the last apostolic witness.
D. "In John we do not find: parables; demon exorcisms; healings of lepers; tax collectors; Sadducees; table fellowship with sinners; infancy Narratives; the temptation of Jesus; the Transfiguration; the material in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount; or the institution of the Lord’s Supper. On the other hand, the following material is in John, but not in any of the Synoptics: Jesus’ baptismal ministry at the Jordan; the encounters with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman; the “I am” sayings, coupled with long discourses; most of the material in chapters 7–11, and 14–17; the footwashing; and Jesus’ conversation with Pilate. Of the Johannine miracles only the feeding of the five thousand is found in the other Gospels." [1]
How John is Structured
A. A philosophical/theological Prologue (1:1–18) and a practical Epilogue (chapter 21)
B. Seven miracle signs during Jesus’ public ministry (chapters 2–12) and their interpretation:
1. changing water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana (2:1–11)
2. healing the son of the officer of the court at Capernaum (4:46–54)
3. healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (5:1–18)
4. feeding of about 5,000 in Galilee (6:1–15)
5. walking on the Sea of Galilee (6:16–21)
6. healing of the man born blind in Jerusalem (9:1–41)
7. raising of Lazarus in Bethany (11:1–57)
C. Interviews and dialogue with individuals
1. John the Baptist (1:19–34; 3:22–36)
2. disciples
a. Andrew and Peter (1:35–42)
b. Philip and Nathanael (1:43–51)
3. Nicodemus (3:1–21)
4. woman of Samaria (4:1–45)
5. Jews in Jerusalem (5:10–47)
6. crowd in Galilee (6:22–66)
7. Peter and disciples (6:67–71)
8. Jesus’ brothers (7:1–13)
9. Jews in Jerusalem (7:14–8:59; 10:1–42)
10. disciples in upper room (13:1–17:26)
11. Jewish arrest and trial (18:1–27)
12. Roman trial (18:28–19:16)
13. post-resurrection conversations, 20:11–29
a. with Mary
b. with the ten Apostles
c. with Thomas
14. epilogue dialogue with Peter, 21:1–25
D. Certain worship/feast days
1. the Sabbaths (5:9; 7:22; 9:14; 19:31)
2. the Passovers (2:13; 6:4; 11:55; 18:28)
3. the feast of Tabernacles (chapters 8–9)
4. Hanukkah (festival of lights, cf. 10:22)
E. Use of “I Am” statements
1. “I am ‘He’ ” (4:26; 6:20; 8:24, 28, 54–59; 13:19; 18:5–6, 8)
2. “I am the bread of life” (6:35, 41, 48, 51)
3. “I am the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5)
4. “I am the door of the sheepfold” (10:7, 9)
5. “I am the good shepherd” (10:11, 14)
6. “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25)
7. “I am the way, the truth and the life” (14:6)
8. “I am the true vine” (15:1, 5)
I'll be continuing to point out important themes and other things as we make our way through John, but this is a good start.
Questions? Comments?
[2] All other introductory material taken from: Robert James Dr. Utley, vol. Volume 4, The Beloved Disciple's Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International, 1999), 4-5.