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John is believed to have been the one refered to as the "beloved disciple". He leaned on the breast of Jesus at the Last Supper. At the cross, he alone was faithful and was entrusted with the care of Jesus' mother. At the tomb, he was the first to believe in the Resurrection.
Little is recorded about John after the Ascension. He is mentioned by Paul as having been at Jerusalem with James, the half-brother of Jesus, and Peter and was referred to as one of the "pillars" of the "mother" church. Most believe that he was the only one of the Disciples not to have been martyred. Tradition has it that he and his brother James were killed by Jews before A.D. 70.
The Gospel of John has a unique quality, different from the other three books. Historical fact is blended with religious interpretation, dramatic narrative and profound theology. Clement of Alexandria commented, "Last of all John, perceiving that the bodily literal facts had been set forth in the other Gospels, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, composed a "Spiritual Gospel".
John knew and used both Mark and Luke as references in his work, relying most heavily on Mark.
John differs in his approach to many events in the life of Jesus. His chronology differs from Mark's. The scene of Christ's ministry is in Judaea in John as opposed to Galilee in the other three. John treats the miracles of Jesus as signs of devine power and as an inducement to faith, while the others indicate them as being performed out of compassion. John contains no parables as such. He deals with mysteries, the others with practical action situations. The human traits of Jesus are emphasized in the first three, while John emphasizes the devine nature. The development of Jesus' understanding of His mission and the growing realization by the Disciples of His Messiahship recorded in the first three are absent in John to the extent that John begins with the public proclamation by John the Baptist of the Messiahship of Jesus.
The purpose of this Gospel is beautifully stated at what is believed to be the original end of the book, the 31st. verse of the 20th. chapter, "These signs are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing, ye might have life through His name."
It is faith that John is most interested in developing in his readers. It was written as a reinterpretation of the others Gospels in terms of a new age that was developing as the result of increased converts from the non-Jewish people.
This is the great value of John's Gospel that he was able, because of the time lapse, to interpret the record in light of Christian experience. He brings Jesus before us at once as a historical Person, and as the invisible Lord who is ever present with His people.
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