BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
John
21 chapters
The Word became flesh in Jesus Christ to reveal the Father, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life and walk in the light.
John
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Why this book was written
John wrote this Gospel so that readers "may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God," and that through believing they "may have life in his name" (John 20:31). The audience, dispersed churches grappling with incipient Gnosticism and Jewish-Christian tensions, needed a clear portrait of Jesus' divinity, the sufficiency of His saving work, and the calling to abide in Him.
Structure
- 1–4The Word Made Flesh and Early Signs
- 5–10Seven Signs Revealing the Son and Salvation
- 11–12The Climax of Unbelief and the Hour of Glory
- 13–17The Upper Room and Farewell Discourse
- 18–21Passion, Resurrection, and Commission
Major themes
The Word Made Flesh
John opens by declaring that the Word was with God from the beginning and became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14), forming the book's foundation and revealing Jesus' divine nature and redemptive mission.
Faith and Eternal Life
John repeatedly emphasizes that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life (John 3:16, 5:24, 20:31); the whole book is written that readers may believe and have life.
Light and Darkness
Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5); those who follow Him will not walk in darkness. The contrast between light and darkness runs through the book, symbolizing belief versus unbelief and obedience versus rebellion.
Love and Service
Jesus washes the disciples' feet (John 13) and gives a new commandment to love one another (John 13:34–35); love marks discipleship and flows from Christ's own self-giving love.
The Holy Spirit and the Paraclete
Jesus promises to send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17, 16:7–13), who will guide disciples into truth, glorify Christ, and continue Christ's presence and work in the world.
The Cross and Glorification through Resurrection
John presents Jesus' death as the moment of His glorification (John 12:23–24, 17:1–5); the cross and resurrection are tightly woven together, displaying God's love and victory.
How it points to Christ
John presents Christ as the eternal Son who became flesh, the Father's only-begotten Son (John 3:16). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11), the true Vine who sustains His disciples' life (John 15:1–5), and the Resurrection and the Life itself (John 11:25). The seven miraculous 'signs' and seven 'I Am' declarations (John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7–11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1, 15:5) progressively reveal Christ's identity and mission, culminating in the atoning cross and the third-day resurrection, so that believers may have eternal life through faith (John 20:30–31).
Key verses
- 1:1Affirms the eternal, divine nature of the Word, anchoring John's Christology from the outset.
- 3:16The Gospel in a nutshell—God's love, the way of faith, the promise of eternal life.
- 6:35Jesus' self-disclosure as the Bread of Life, presenting Himself as the sole sustainer of spiritual life.
- 10:10–11The Good Shepherd gives abundant life and lays down His life, revealing the richness of salvation and Christ's self-sacrifice.
- 14:6Jesus as the exclusive way to the Father—the singular path to God.
- 15:5The Vine-Branches metaphor teaches the necessity of abiding in Christ for fruitful discipleship.
- 17:3Defines eternal life as relational knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ.
- 20:31John's stated purpose: belief that leads to life, the explicit aim of the entire Gospel.
Films & series on John
Each has a guide: scripture sources, where it departs from the Bible, discussion questions, and where to watch
The Gospel of John
Film · 2003
A word for word depiction of the life of Jesus Christ from the Good News Translation Bible as recorded in the Gospel of John.
The Chosen
Series · 2019
The life of Christ through the eyes of those who encountered him.
The King of Kings
Film · 2025
Charles Dickens tells his young son Walter the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice.
The Passion of the Christ
Film · 2004
A graphic portrayal of the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life.
Reflections on John
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·The verb 'believe' (pisteuō) appears nearly a hundred times in John. Which kind of faith described in John (John 1:12, 3:16, 20:31) most closely matches your current trust in Jesus?
- ·Jesus says, 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12). What areas of darkness in your life need to be brought into this light?
- ·Jesus washes the disciples' feet at the Last Supper (John 13:1–17). How can you practically follow Christ in a posture of serving rather than being served today?
- ·Jesus promises that the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, will be with disciples forever (John 14:16–17). How are you relying on the Spirit's guidance in your daily prayer and life?
- ·John 20:30–31 states the purpose of the book. If you take this verse as a check on your spiritual journey, what aspect of 'belief' and 'life' most needs renewing in you?
Want to read John start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
Start reading JohnJohn
Chapter 13
1Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all the things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,
4riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself.
5Then he poureth water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.
8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11For he knew him that should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.
16Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.
18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.
19From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23There was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh.
25He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, What thou doest, do quickly.
28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29For some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, Buy what things we have need of for the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30He then having received the sop went out straightway: and it was night.
31When therefore he was gone out, Jesus saith, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him;
32and God shall glorify him in himself, and straightway shall he glorify him.
33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.
34A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.
37Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.
38Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.