Book 43 of 66 · New Testament

John

The fourth Gospel — fewer events, told more slowly, focused on who Jesus is.

21 chapters879 versesWritten in GreekSet Judea and Galilee, the life of Jesus (c. 27–30 AD)

Overview

John is the fourth Gospel, and the most different. It tells fewer stories than the others but lingers on them, built around seven signs and a series of "I am" sayings. It opens not with a birth but with "In the beginning was the Word," and states its purpose plainly: that its readers might believe. It holds some of the best-known scenes in the Bible — the wedding at Cana, Nicodemus at night, the woman at the well, and the raising of Lazarus.

Book facts

Author: John, by traditionAnonymous in the text; tradition names John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved."
Date written: c. AD 85–95Usually dated later than the other three Gospels.
Original language: GreekSimple Greek vocabulary carrying deep, repeated themes.
Setting: Judea and Galilee, the life of Jesus (c. 27–30 AD)Written, it says, so that readers "might believe."

How it came to be

John's Gospel does not name its author within the story. It points to "the disciple whom Jesus loved" as its source, and tradition identifies him as John, son of Zebedee.

It is the latest of the four Gospels, and the most reflective; it says openly that it was written "that ye might believe."

What is arguedWho wrote it, and how it relates to the other three Gospels. Its differences in order and style have long been discussed; traditional authorship by John is widely but not universally held.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

Chapter	What happens	Who is in it	Where it takes place
The signs — who Jesus is, shown in signs and sayings, chapters 1–12
Chapter 1The Word	"In the beginning was the Word." John the Baptist points to Jesus, who calls his first disciples.	, , , , ,
Chapter 2The wedding at Cana	Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding — his first sign — then clears the temple.
Chapter 3The night visitor	Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night and hears that one must be "born again."	,
Chapter 4The woman at the well	Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well and reveals himself as the Messiah.		,
Chapter 5The pool of Bethesda	Jesus heals a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years — on the Sabbath.
Chapter 6The bread of life	Jesus feeds five thousand, walks on the water, and calls himself the bread of life.	,	,
Chapter 7The feast of tabernacles	At the feast in Jerusalem, opinion about Jesus divides.
Chapter 8The light of the world	Jesus forgives a woman caught in adultery and declares, "I am the light of the world."
Chapter 9The man born blind	Jesus heals a man born blind, and the healed man is questioned and cast out.
Chapter 10The good shepherd	Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep.
Chapter 11The raising of Lazarus	Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead at Bethany, and the leaders resolve to kill him.	, ,
Chapter 12The anointing at Bethany	Mary anoints Jesus' feet, and Jesus enters Jerusalem to shouts of praise.		,
The last night — the final meal and Jesus' words to his own, chapters 13–17
Chapter 13The feet washed	At supper Jesus washes his disciples' feet and foretells his betrayal.	, ,
Chapter 14The way	Jesus comforts his disciples: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
Chapter 15The vine	Jesus calls himself the true vine and his followers the branches.
Chapter 16The comforter	Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and turns their coming sorrow into joy.
Chapter 17The prayer	Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and for all who will believe.
Death and resurrection — the arrest, cross, and empty tomb, chapters 18–21
Chapter 18The arrest	Jesus is arrested and Peter denies him; he is tried before the high priest and Pilate.	, , , , , ,
Chapter 19The crucifixion	Jesus is crucified, dies, and is buried by Joseph of Arimathea.	,
Chapter 20The garden tomb	Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb; the risen Jesus appears, and doubting Thomas believes.	,
Chapter 21The breakfast by the sea	The risen Jesus appears by the sea, provides a great catch of fish, and restores Peter.	,

All 21 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

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Key places

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Known for

Some of the best-known passages in John — tap the verse to read it.

"In the beginning was the Word"John 1:1
Water into wine at CanaJohn 2:9
"Ye must be born again"John 3:7
The raising of LazarusJohn 11:43