It is also clear the writer was a contemporary of the events and persons mentioned in narration; and that he was familiar with the whole land of Palestine and the scenes of Christ's ministry, as well as the city of Jerusalem and the temple. Many of John's sayings and all his quotations of Christ's words clearly suggest that he was an apostle - an eyewitness of the things recorded and an earwitness of the teachings of Christ quoted. Frequent reference to the other apostles by name eliminates all of them from authorship. One specific statement in which no name is mentioned points unmistakably to John (21:20, 24); the manner in which John introduces himself also indicates that he is the writer (13:23, 25)

Purpose - John's purpose in writing this Gospel was to supplement the records of the three older Gospels, not to correct any deficiencies in them. Never in a single instance does he disagree with the events and truths found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The aim of the Gospel is directly spiritual, and its purpose, and its purpose is that men may have spiritual life through faith in the Christ revealed therein. The symbolic words used of Christ are also profoundly spiritual, such as the Word, the Truth, the Way, the Light, the Life, the Bread of Life, and the Good Shepherd. The Gospel is distinguished by its stress upon believe. This word and its cognates appear about 100 times; reference to God as Father is given 122 times; love and its cognates appear 57 times. Thus, it will be seen how deeply spiritual this Gospel really is.

Outline - Considering John's Gospel as a testimony to Jesus as the Christ, the following simple outline will be helpful: I. The Testimony of the Essential Deity of Christ (1:1-5) II. The Testimony of Divine Incarnation (1:6-18) III. The Testimony of His Public Ministry (1:19-12:50) IV. The Testimony of His Private Ministry to His Disciples (13-17) V. The Testimony and Glorification of His Passion (18-19) VI. The Testimony of His Resurrection, Power, and Glory (20-21)