New Testament
John
21 chapters
Start reading: John 1About this book
John's Gospel tells the story of Jesus with a distinct voice and structure. It opens not with a birth but with the eternal Word who was with God, became flesh and lived among us. The first half, often called the book of signs, presents seven miracles, from water made wine to Lazarus raised, each paired with a conversation or claim in which Jesus reveals who he is: bread of life, light of the world, good shepherd, resurrection and life. Along the way people respond with faith or with rejection. The second half slows down for one evening: Jesus washes his disciples' feet, teaches them about love, the coming Spirit and abiding in him, and prays for them. Then come the arrest, the cross and the empty tomb, with appearances to Mary, Thomas and the others. The author states his purpose plainly: these things were written so that readers might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in his name.
- Author
- Church tradition names John the apostle, the beloved disciple; some scholars propose another John or a circle of his disciples.
- Date
- Traditionally c. AD 85–95 in Ephesus; some scholars argue for an earlier date.
- Audience
- Early Christian readers, Jewish and Gentile, and seekers invited to believe.
Themes
Jesus the Word made fleshBelief and eternal lifeLove and abidingThe SpiritLight and darkness
Outline
- 1:1–1:18The Word became flesh
- 1:19–12:50The book of signs
- 13:1–17:26The Upper Room: farewell and prayer
- 18:1–20:31Passion and resurrection
- 21:1–21:25Epilogue by the lake
Key verses
Chapters of John
- 1John 1John opens by describing the Word who was with God and was God, through whom everything was made, and who became flesh and lived among people, full of grace and truth.
- 2John 2At a wedding in Cana of Galilee, the wine runs out, and at his mother's prompting Jesus has servants fill large stone jars with water, which becomes excellent wine; John calls it the first of his signs, revealing his glory and leading his disciples to believe.
- 3John 3Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader, visits Jesus by night.
- 4John 4Traveling through Samaria, a tired Jesus sits at a well and asks a Samaritan woman for water, crossing barriers of ethnicity, gender and reputation.
- 5John 5At a pool in Jerusalem, Jesus heals a man who had been unable to walk for thirty-eight years, telling him to rise and carry his mat.
- 6John 6Jesus feeds a crowd of about five thousand with a boy's five loaves and two fish, then walks on the lake to his frightened disciples.
- 7John 7As the Feast of Tabernacles approaches, Jesus' brothers urge him to show himself publicly, but he goes up quietly and later teaches in the temple, saying his teaching comes from the one who sent him.
- 8John 8Teachers of the law bring a woman caught in adultery, hoping to trap Jesus; he stoops to write on the ground, invites the one without sin to throw the first stone, and when her accusers leave, tells her he does not condemn her and to sin no more.
- 9John 9Jesus sees a man blind from birth and, rejecting the idea that his condition is punishment for someone's sin, says God's works will be displayed in him.
- 10John 10Jesus describes himself as the door of the sheep and the good shepherd who knows his sheep by name, is known by them and lays down his life for them, unlike a hired hand who runs from danger.
- 11John 11Lazarus of Bethany, brother of Mary and Martha and a friend of Jesus, falls ill and dies.
- 12John 12Six days before Passover, Mary of Bethany pours costly perfume on Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair; Judas objects, but Jesus says she is preparing him for burial.
- 13John 13Before the Passover meal, knowing his hour has come, Jesus rises, wraps a towel around himself and washes his disciples' feet, including Judas's; when Peter protests, Jesus says he must be washed to share with him, and then tells them to serve one another as he has served.
- 14John 14Comforting his troubled disciples, Jesus tells them not to let their hearts be afraid, that he is going to prepare a place in his Father's house and will come back for them.
- 15John 15Jesus calls himself the true vine, his Father the gardener and his followers the branches: they can bear fruit only by staying connected to him, and the Father prunes so they bear more.
- 16John 16Jesus warns his disciples of coming rejection so they will not fall away, then says it is better for them that he goes, because the Helper will come.
- 17John 17Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven and prays.
- 18John 18After praying, Jesus crosses a valley to a garden, where Judas leads soldiers and officials to arrest him.
- 19John 19Pilate has Jesus flogged, and soldiers mock him with a crown of thorns and a purple robe.
- 20John 20Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene finds the stone rolled away and tells Peter and the beloved disciple, who run to the tomb and see the empty grave clothes; the beloved disciple sees and believes.
- 21John 21By the Sea of Tiberias, seven disciples fish all night and catch nothing until a figure on the shore tells them to cast on the right side; the net fills, and the beloved disciple says it is the Lord.