An Overview of the Gospel of John Pt. 3

Outline Of John’s Gospel Pt. 1:

Having noted John’s spiral structure in the preceding outline, this spiral structure progresses and expands through his whole gospel. To illustrate how John presented the contents of his gospel in this spiral fashion to elaborate on his theme in the prologue, an outline of John’s entire gospel now follows.

The Prologue: John 1:1-18

Its theme: Jesus is the Word of God, God himself in the flesh. He is the light of life that all may believe in him. Yet he was rejected by men.

Part 1: John 1:19 – 4:54 The Word was presented to all Israel in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. (This section elaborates John 1:11: “He came to His own.”)

John 1:19-34 The testimony of John the Baptist: Jesus is Christ, the promised Messiah. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He gives the Holy Spirit. He is the Son of God.

John 1:35-51 The testimony of the first disciples: Jesus is Christ, the Messiah, the King of Israel, and the Son of God.

John 2:1-12 The testimony of Jesus’ first miracle, which he performed in Cana of Galilee so his disciples could see his glory.

John 2:13-22 The testimony of Jesus the first time he cleansed the temple. His glory would be revealed through his death and resurrection, which would attest to his being Christ the Saviour.

John 2:23 – 3:21 The testimony of Jesus to Nicodemus. Jesus reveals God’s grace and truth in stating that one must be born spiritually to a living faith given by the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. Because of God’s love for all people, Jesus would be lifted up on the cross so that all who believe in him may have eternal life.

John 3:22-36 The testimony of John the Baptist glorifies Jesus as the one who must increase. Whoever believes in Jesus, the Son of God, has eternal life. But whoever does not believe in Jesus abides under the wrath of God.

John 4:1-42 The testimony of Jesus to the woman of Samaria at the well. Jesus reveals his grace and truth in explaining that he gives the living water for eternal life and that he is the Christ who was promised in the Old Testament.

John 4:43-54 The testimony of Jesus’ second miracle in healing the official’s son. Jesus’ gracious word is powerful, granting healing and faith.

Part 2: John 5:1–12:50 The Word is rejected by Israel. (This section elaborates John 1:11: “...and his own people did not receive him.”)

John 5:1-47 The Jews persecute Jesus for healing the man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath day and for saying God was his Father. The truth is, however, that the Father desires all to honour his Son Jesus as they honour him, for Jesus is the judge who raises the dead and gives eternal life.

John 6:1-71 After feeding the five thousand, Jesus reveals his grace and truth in proclaiming that he is the Bread of Life. All who believe in him have eternal life and he will raise them from the dead on the last day. Upon hearing this many of his disciples desert him, because they realize he did not come to establish an earthly kingdom in which he would rule as their Bread King. Jesus makes it clear that he came as the Saviour to sacrifice his flesh and blood, so all who believe in him may have eternal life.

John 7:1–10:42 Jesus is opposed in Jerusalem.

John 7:1–8:59 The Jews desire to arrest and kill Jesus, who reveals his grace and truth in declaring he is the water of life and the light of the world. Because of their unbelief, Jesus says the Jews would die in their sins.

John 9:1-41 Jesus graciously restores the sight of the man born blind, who then sees by faith that Jesus is the Lord. But the Jews, who claim to see the truth, remain spiritually blind.

John 10:1-21 Jesus declares the gracious truth that he is the gate through whom the sheep enter eternal life and that he is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. This further divides the Jews.

John 10:22-42 The Jews ask Jesus if he is the Christ. Because Jesus speaks the truth in saying he is one with the Father, the Jews pick up stones to stone him for blasphemy.

John 11:1-54 Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. This substantiates his grace and truth: he is the resurrection and the life. Fearing that the whole nation of Israel would believe in Jesus as a result of his raising Lazarus from the dead, the rulers of the Jews plot to kill him.

John 11:55–12:50 On Palm Sunday the Jewish multitudes hail Jesus as the Messianic King. Jesus knows the cross lies before him. Some rulers of the Jews believe in him secretly, but the chief priests’ and the Pharisees’ hardened hearts stand firmly opposed to him.