The Gospel to the Jews

It is often said that John is the Gospel to the world (and Matthew to the Jews, Mark to the Romans, and Luke to the Greeks). But in 1924, Israel Abrahams said, “To us Jews, the Fourth Gospel is the most Jewish of the four!” How is this so? What is in the Gospel of John that would cause a Jewish scholar to say this? If it is true, why do many people tell new converts to begin by reading John?

My view/thoughts

A casual reader of the Gospel of John would not agree with Israel Abrahams who said, “To us Jews, the Fourth Gospel is the most Jewish of the four.” In fact many readers would argue that John had a less than positive outlook toward the Jews and would agree that John was written to the World and Matthew was written to the Jews. (Elmer L. Towns| David Brown, 2003, p. 13) But if you investigate deeper you will soon discover that John was a Jew. He probably owned a home there and was very familiar with the surrounding area. The sheep gate (5:2), the temple (2:14, 7:28, 8:2, with its treasury (8:20) and porches (10:23), the pool of Siloam (9:7), the brook of Kidron (18:1) are all examples of his familarity with his surroundings. (Bain, 2008) Much of the Gospel of John is centered around the Jewish Festivals and feasts. (Towns, 2002, pp. xix-xx) It also supports or proves the age of Jesus when He starts His ministry.  I think another important aspect of Abrahams argument is John’s use of the Old Testament writings in which  Jews are very familiar with . (John 10:16/Isaiah 56:8/Ezekial 34:6) These are all books of the Old Testament that the Jews would know, causing them to trust John’s writings. His use of the “I AM” discourses where He is declaring that He is the Messiah would resonate with the Jewish reader. (Morris, 1989, pp. 107-125) The “I AM” is a very significant phrase in the Old Testament. It is the Divine Name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. (Exodus 3:14) Using bread/manna/door/good shepherd/vine would be all familiar terms to the Jewish readers and further supports Abraham’s statement. As a new convert I was encouraged to start reading the Gospel of John because of it’s simplicity.  The book points to the deity of Christ, the Word made flesh. The new convert who has placed their faith in Christ, this book proves to them, or assures them in the simplist of ways of their salvation. (John 5:24) The book of John is easy to read and follow and doesn’t take a lot of pre-theology training to understand. It contains everything someone would need to understand that Jesus is God incarnate and has come to save the world.

Bain, R. (2008, October 29). Aspects of John's Gospel. Retrieved from The Bain Journal: http://thebainjournal.com/the-most-jewish-of-the-four

Elmer L. Towns| David Brown. (2003). A Journey Through the New Testament: A Listening Guide. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.

Morris, L. (1989). Jesus is the Christ. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans.

Towns, E. (2002). The Gospel of John, Believe and Live. Chattanooga, TN: AMG.