JOHN
(Velyazator, Prokopiy Chirikov (attributed). Saint John the Evangelist at Patmos. Oil on canvas. 1695. State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_John_the_Evangelist_at_Patmos_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.)
Why is the Fourth Gospel so different from the other three?
First century A.D. · The Fourth Gospel
John the Apostle is traditionally considered to be the author of the three Epistles of John, the Fourth Gospel, and Revelation. Although his Gospel is radically different from the three synoptic Gospels, it has a unique “spiritual” role.
Five works, one traditional author
- Traditionally credited with: The three Epistles of John, the Fourth Gospel, and Revelation
- Connected works: The Gospel and Epistles are generally viewed together, with the Epistles read as an introduction or overview of the Gospel
- Sources: The Fourth Gospel and the Epistles appear to have been written with knowledge of the other Gospels, which predate them
- The Gospel: Radically different from the three synoptic Gospels
- Revelation: A graphic representation of the second coming and God’s judgment
What happens when a Gospel turns from what Jesus did to who he was?
Hover or tap each idea to follow John’s focus
- A “Spiritual” GospelWritten with knowledge of the earlier Gospels, John’s is radically different from the synoptics. He focused on more spiritual matters.
- The Dual Nature of ChristJohn explored Christ as both divine and human.
- Son and FatherHe gave special attention to Christ’s relationship to God the Father.
- False ProphetsJohn warned against false prophets.
- Salvation and Divine LoveSalvation, and the importance of divine love within it, stand at the center of John’s writings.
- The ApocalypseThe Book of Revelation is a graphic representation of the second coming and God’s judgment.
The Book of Revelation has had an important influence on the Christian canon as a major source of information on the Apocalypse.
Alongside it, John’s Gospel and Epistles gave Christianity its most “spiritual” voice, centered on the nature of Christ, his relationship to God the Father, salvation, and the importance of divine love.
Where to read more about John the Apostle and his writings.
- 1895The Teaching of St. John the Apostle to the Churches of Asia and the WorldHewit, Augustine Francis · Catholic Book Exchange
- 1920The Epistles of St. JohnGore, Charles · John Murray
- 1923The Apostle John: Studies in His Life and WritingsThomas, W. H. Griffith · Pickering & InglisFree scan
- 1935Epochs in the Life of the Apostle JohnRobertson, A. T. · Fleming H. Revell
- 2017The Beloved Apostle? The Transformation of the Apostle John into the Fourth EvangelistKok, Michael J. · Cascade Books
- The Gospel of John and Revelation (King James Version)Both books, free from Project Gutenberg.JohnRevelation
- Bible Gateway: RevelationRead Revelation online and compare translations.biblegateway.com
- Britannica: Saint John the ApostleA short biography and overview of the writings credited to him.britannica.com
- Catholic Encyclopedia: Gospel of St. JohnA detailed older survey of the Fourth Gospel and its authorship.newadvent.org
(Velyazator, Prokopiy Chirikov (attributed). Saint John the Evangelist at Patmos. Oil on canvas. 1695. State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_John_the_Evangelist_at_Patmos_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.)
Velyazator's 17th-century painting illustrates Saint John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos, gazing heavenward with a chalice and scroll, surrounded by dramatic clouds and rocks, symbolizing his apocalyptic visions in the Book of Revelation.
(El Greco. St. John the Evangelist. Oil on canvas. ca. 1600. Museo de Santa Cruz, Toledo. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Greco_-_St_John_the_Evangelist_-_WGA10511.jpg.)
A poisoned chalice with a serpent, in swirling green and red robes against stormy skies, capturing his mystical theology and endurance of persecution.
https://sdcason.com/saint-john-the-evangelist-by-master-of-saint-francis-1272-public-domain-catholic-painting/.)
A 14th-century Italian tempera panel by the Master of Saint Francis depicts Saint John the Evangelist standing in red and blue robes, holding a scroll under a Gothic arch, with gold leaf halo, emphasizing his authorship of the Gospel and epistles.