The Gospel of John

Difference between John and Synoptics

• More spiritual, theological (Eagle soars above others)• Contains info the others do not have (wedding at

Cana, bread of life discourse, Nicodemus, woman at the well)

• Miracles are seen as signs (only 7)• Synoptics are more for initial proclamation, John “fills

the gaps”• Chronology – Synoptics mostly over the northern

ministry. John has Jesus go to Jerusalem 3 times• Divided into the “Book of Signs” and “Book of Glory”

Prologue

• (Be able to cite!)

Themes in Prologue that continue throughout the entire gospel

• Light/darkness• Testimony/believing• Word of God• Truth• The Preexistence of Jesus• Life• The world

The Word of God (Logos)

The Word of God is seen as being gradually revealed in:• Creation (God created with his Word)• Law is the Word of God• Wisdom literature personified the Word of

God• Prophets spoke the Word of God

In Jesus the Word of God is fully revealed

• The Word of God became Flesh (Incarnation)

Wedding at Cana

• Mary’s intercession• “Do whatever he tells you”

Jesus’ hour

• His time of suffering on the cross and glorious resurrection

Typology at Wedding at Cana

• Woman – Mary is seen as the New Eve• Mary is the mother of all Jesus’ followers

Cleansing of the Temple Typology

• Jesus is new Temple throughout John’s gospel

Nicodemus

• Pharisee who came to see Jesus in secret at night (Nic at night)

• Symbolizes spiritual darkness• Jesus tries to bring him from darkness to light

How are we born again?

Samaritan Woman

It was unusual for Jesus to talk to her because she was:• A sinner• A woman• A Samaritan

Samaritan woman typology

• She represents Israel. 5 foreign gods. They knew the real God but were not faithful to him.

Feeding of Multitudes typology

• OT=manna• NT=Eucharist (v. 11-Took, gave thanks,

distributed)• 12 baskets left – 12 tribes restored and

nourished

John 6:22-71. Bread of Life Discourse

• Jesus actually meant what he said!• Eucharist actually becomes Jesus’ body and

blood (transubstantiation)• The apostles believe but don’t understand

until the Last Supper

Good Shepherd typology

• Leaders in OT – referred to as shepherds• David

Raising of Lazarus

• Prefigured Jesus’ resurrection

Washing of Disciples’ feet

• Jesus shows how to serve others

New Commandment (Jn 13:34)

• Love one another as I have loved you

Vine and Branches

• Jesus’ relationship with his disciples

Last Supper Discourses Themes

• Joy• Persecution• Faith in Jesus• Coming of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit)• Following Commandments• Love one another

Peter’s betrayal

• By a charcoal fire

CCC 598

• Who made Christ suffer and die?

Us!

• We are worse than the Jews because they did not know who he was. We claim to know but still sin.

Inscription on the Cross

• Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews

John and Mary

• Jesus gave us Mary to be our mother (mother of the Church)

• He spoke to John asking him to care for her

Jesus drank the cup of Consummation on the Cross

After the resurrection

• 1st to see Jesus – Mary Magdalene• John let Peter go in tomb first (Peter’s

primacy)

John 20:19-23

• Locked doors, in fear of the Jews• Reconciliation – Jesus gives the power to

forgive sins to his apostles. Since God is the only one who can really forgive sins, they can do it only through the power of God. They have handed this power down to their successors. (Bishops/priests)

Why confess to priests when we can go directly to God?

• Priests can’t forgive unless they hear the sins• Jesus tells Peter, “Whatever you loose on earth will be

loosed in heaven.” (Mt. 16:17-19)• If someone is sick, the presbyters (priests) should pray over

him and if he committed any sins, they will be forgiven. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.” (James 5:13-16)

• It is good for us to do an examination of conscience and to have someone advise us in our errors

• It is helpful to actually hear that we are forgiven• Grace!

Thomas

• The apostle who doubted Jesus’ resurrection until he could see it himself

153 fish

• Symbolic of all fish in the world• “Fishers of Men”

Commissioning of Peter

• Charcoal fire• Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him

(opposite Peter’s denial)• Jesus is giving Peter a chance to “undo” his

denial• “Feed my Sheep”• At Jesus’ ascension, Peter becomes the head

of the Church – the 1st Pope!