John

The Gospel of John does not name its author. It grounds its testimony in the “beloved disciple,” whom early Christian tradition identifies with John the son of Zebedee, while many distinguish the beloved disciple’s testimony from the Gospel’s final composition. Commonly dated around AD 80–100, it may extend into the early second century. Its first readers remain uncertain; they were likely Greek-speaking believers familiar with Jewish Scripture and practice, perhaps in Asia Minor. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, John follows Jesus through repeated journeys between Galilee and Judea, structured around festivals, signs, discourses, and the final “hour” in Jerusalem, before a closing appearance in Galilee. John explicitly writes so readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God and have life in his name. As the fourth Gospel, it complements Matthew, Mark, and Luke—the three Synoptic Gospels—with a distinctive portrait of the Word made flesh.