There is little doubt that the “John” who wrote this Gospel is the brother of James, and a son of Zebedee.  Jesus called James and John the “Sons of Thunder”.   John was, along with Peter and James, in the circle of three—the three closest friends of Jesus Christ.  He also refers to himself as “The disciple whom Jesus loved”—and this is a good reminder to all of us: that the most significant thing that can be true of our lives, is to know in a personal way, the love of Jesus Christ!

John states the purpose of his Gospel at the end of his writing.  In John 20:31, the author makes it clear that he organizes his material to help lead the reader to sincere belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you might have life in His name.  As such, John organizes his material is such a way as to lead the inquirer—any honest seeker—to examine a representative sampling of the Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ, to come to saving faith.  Perhaps the best known verse in the entire Bible is John 3:16.  His audience is universal.  His teaching appeals to all people everywhere, and the Gospel of John is quite different from the Synoptics.  In John’s Prologue, he presents Jesus as the eternal Word (Logos) of God, which became flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  He is a personal witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ.  “And we beheld his glory”.  In choosing representative miracles to share, he picks seven “signs”, miracles that lead the reader to a deeper understanding about the Person of Christ and His mission.  John stresses the deity of Christ, and presents seven “I Am” statements.  “I Am” is the Old Testament revelation of Almighty God (Yahweh).