New Testament: The Gospel of St. John 1:1-4:29 - Study Materials

Outline

I. THE PROLOGUE: John 1:1-18

An introduction to the themes of the gospel and summary of the life and mission of the Incarnate Word.

II. PART ONE: THE BOOK OF SIGNS: John 1:19-12:50

"The Light Shines in the Darkness" -- Faith and Unbelief: The Word reveals himself to the world and to his own, but they will not accept him.

• A. The New Creation, 1:19-2:11

  • 1. The Witness of John the Baptist, 1:19-34.
  • 2. The Disciples of the Baptist become disiples of Jesus, 1:35-51.
  • 3. The Witness of the Disciples: The First Sign, 2:1-11

• B. The New Life in Signs, 2:12-4:54

  The replacement of Old Testament institutions.

  • 1. The New Temple: The Resurrected Christ, 2:12-25.
  • 2. The New birth: Baptism, 3:1-36.
    • a. Nicodemus, 3:1-21.
    • b. The Baptism of John and Baptism of Christ, 3:22-26.
    • c. The Water of Life, 4:1-42.
    • d. The Second Sign, 4:43-54.

• C. The Lift and the Darkness, 5:1-10:42

  The Replacement of Old Testament Feasts.

  • 1. Jesus and the Sabbath: 5:1-47.
    • a. The Third Sign, 5:1-15
    • b. Jesus does the works of the Father, 5:16-47.
  • 2. The Passover: Jesus is the Bread of Life, 6:1-71.
    • a. The Fourth Sign, 6:1-15.
    • b. The Fifth Sign, 6:16-21.
    • c. The Eucharistic Discourse, 6:22-71.
  • 3. Tabernacles: Light and Life, 7:1-6:59.
  • 4. Jesus, the Light of the World, 9:1-10:42.
    • a. The Sixth Sign, 9:1-34.
    • b. Sight and Blindness, 9:35-10:21.
    • c. The Dedication, Jesus is consecrated in place of the Temple, 10:22-42.

• D. The Last Journey to Jerusalem, 11:1-12:50.

  • 1. Death and Life: The Seventh Sign, 11:1-42.
  • 2. Death Chosen Over Life, 11:43-47.
  • 3. The Anointing, 12:1-11.
  • 4. The Triumphal Entry, 12:12-19.
  • 5. The Gentiles See Jesus, 12:20-36.
  • 6. The Rejection of Life and Light, 12:37-50.

III. PART TWO: THE BOOK OF GLORY: John 13:1-20:31

"Those Who Accept Him Become Sons of God." The Word shows his glory by returning to the Father in death, resurrection and ascension. Fully glorified, he communicates the Spirit of life.

• A. Jesus instructs His Disciples, 13:1-17:26.

  • 1. The Sign of Footwashing, 13:1-20.
  • 2. The Betrayal: The Hour of Darkness, 13:21-30.
  • 3. Discourse on Departure and Return in the Spirit, 13:31-14:31.
  • 4. The True Vine and the Branches, 15:1-17.
  • 5. The World's Hatred of the Light, 15:16-16:4a.
  • 6. Departure and Return, 16:4b-33.
  • 7. The High-Priestly Prayer, 17:1-26.

• B. The Glorification of Christ, 16:1-20-31.

  • 1. The Passion, 18:1-19:16.
    • a. The scene in the garden, 18:1-11.
    • b. The scene before Annas, 18:12-27.
    • c. The scene before Pilate, 18:28-40.
    • d. The scourging. "Behold the Man," 19:1-5.
    • e. Again before Pilate: The Son of God, 19:6-16.
  • 2. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus, 19:17-37.
    • a. Jesus reigns from the cross, 1917-22.
    • b. Accompanying signs, 19:23-37.
  • 3. The Burial of the Lord, 19:38-42.
  • 4. The Resurrection and the Giving of the Spirit, 20:1-31.
    • a. Appearance to Mary Magdalen, 10:1-18.
    • b. Appearance to the disciples, 20:19-23.
    • c. Appearance to the disciples and Thomas, 20:24-29.
    • d. Conclusion: The meaning of these signs, 20:30-31.

IV. EPILOGUE: APPEARANCES IN GALILEE: John 21:1-25.

A series of resurrection appearances in Galilee of interest to the early church.

• A. Jesus with the Disciples by the Sea, 21:1-14.
• B. Peter's Commission, 21:15-19.
• C. The Beloved Disciple, 21:20-23.
• D. Final Testimony, 21-24-25.

NOTE: The above outline is a combination of two other outlines: one prepared by Bruce Vawter, The Jerome Biblical Commentary, 63:38 and Raymond E. Brown, The New Testament Reading Guide, Volume 13, The Gospel of St. John, the Johannine Epistles, pp. 10-11.