Introduction to the Gospel of John

By Joyce Webb 2025

Easy Study Lessons— Chapter by chapter–with questions

John was one of the 12 disciples.

John gives his reason for writing this “book”.

“These things are written so that you might ( may) believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing you might (may) have life through his name.” John 20:31

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John wrote this book from Ephesus (which is now part of Turkey) —-in the year of AD 90-96—after Christ came.

The Latin words for AD are  “<<“Anno Domini” or “<<“Anno Domini Nostri Jesu Christi”, —–meaning “in the year of our Lord” —–or “in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Meaning the time after the birth of Jesus Christ.

Other wise it is call BC—Before Christ.

Now days, They are using the terms CE0–meaning Common Era—This term is more secular and avoids using a religious reference.

Means the same time period of Before Christ.
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At this time, John was an old man—near the end of his life.

John had spent the year of AD 95-96—on a Greek island called Patmos.

It is thought —that John died AD100.
John was the only one of the disciples who died a natural death.

All the other disciples were put to death by rulers who were against the gospel of Christ.
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John was exiled to Patmos in AD 95—and released in AD 96.

The Roman authorities exiled John to Patmos due to his testimony of Jesus Christ and his active preaching of the Christian faith.

The Romans worsipped many idols—and there was the worship of the emperor as well—as a deity (god).

Anyone preaching the gospel—would be in danger of punishment.

The Isle of Patmos was a Greek island—though it sat in the sea closer to Turkey.
It is about 7.5 miles long and about 6 miles wide.

Criminals and political prisoners were sent there. They were allowed to roam free, but had to provide their own food and shelter and they were guarded by Roman soldiers.

Many died of exposure to the weather, attacks by other prisoners, or starvation.

Tradition says that John’s friends from Ephesus sent food and supplies to John—and that is how he was able to survive.
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Domitian reign ended in AD 96 when a new ruler Nerva,–came to power.

Nerva was known for his lenient policies, including the release of many exiled prisoners and the return of confiscated property.

Nerva released John from the island of Patmos. After his release, John returned to Ephesus where he continued to lead the Christian community.

If John died in AD 100—he lived for 4 more years in Ephesus.

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While John was on Patmos—is when he received the visions that he wrote in the book of Revelation.

So, he wrote the Gospel of John—which are his memories of his time with Jesus here on earth—after he wrote the Book of Revelation —-and it is written at the end of his life.

AD 90-96 is the time people think he wrote the Gospel of John and that means it was written 90-96 years after Jesus was born.
Jesus lived to be 33 years old. So, the Gospel of John was written about 60 years after Jesus had gone back into heaven.

John is remembering things from 60 some years ago.

The other writers of the gospels—wrote their books about 30 years after Jesus was gone.

However, “all scripture is given by the inspiration of God“ (II Timothy 3:16)— so even though it has been a long time—the Holy Spirit helped John as he wrote.
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John wrote about things that the other gospel writers did not talk about. John gave more detail about some of the stories.

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Questions Gospel of John –Lesson 1

By Joyce Webb 2025

John Chp. 1 Vs. 1-5

1. Jesus was of the same essence (basic element—basic components) as the Father God. The Holy Spirit is also of the same essence. The 3 are in different forms and ministry.

What example was used to demonstrate or explain that? __________________________

3. Was Jesus in existence when the world was made? ___________

4. Because Jesus was God. He had l________ in himself. He could lay down his l___________ and take it up again.

This alone—showed that he was not an ordinary man.

5, Jesus came to his own people—the Jews—-Why did they not realize that he was the “Promised One” that God said he would send? ______________________________________________

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6. When did God first promise to send someone to defeat Satan—and conquer over the sin that had happened?
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