John 20:31 gives the over-all reason for the writing of the Gospel of John. “That ye might believe.” For instance, in chapter 11, as the life and ministry of our Lord here are drawing to a close, He reminds us that He is living, resurrection power. “These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” In chapter 12, shortly after His entry into Jerusalem when His name was on the lips of everyone but without belief in the heart, He loudly proclaims His purpose in the world and equality with the Father and expects people to believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and believing ye might have life through His name. In chapter 13, after giving the personal example of service in the kingdom of God, He clearly states that He is our Supreme Lord and Master, “that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” In chapter 14, in clear unmistakable terms; “The Way; The Truth; The Life,” He not only unequivocally states that no one comes to the Father but through Him; but also, to see Christ, means we have seen the Father. Those two Persons and the Holy Spirit are all equal and One, “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” In chapter 15, He says He is the True Vine, nurtured and cared for by the Father, the Husbandman; that lasting, divine fruit will be brought forth for the Holy Husbandman’s delight. But now there is the Holy Three plus another large group involved in putting on display the fruit of the character and Person of God, “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”
The first three Gospels are concerned with facts; John is concerned with issues as well as facts. The first three Gospels are a presentation of the Lord Jesus; John is an interpretation of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first three show the Lord Jesus outwardly; John interprets Him inwardly. The first three emphasize the human aspects; John reveals the divine. The first three correspond to the lion, ox and man in Ezekiel’s vision; John parallels the eagle. The first three are mainly concerned with Jesus’ public discourses; John the private discourses, verbal conflicts with the Jewish leaders and private conversations in seclusion. The first three are mainly His Galilean ministry; John almost entirely to His Judean ministry. The first three are factual; John is also doctrinal. The first three begin with human genealogy and a fulfillment of Jewish prophecy; John begins with a direct divine revelation of what is eternal. In John 1:11-12 we read, “He came unto His own and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God; even to them that that believe on His name.” John deals with --- “as many as received Him” Individuals, Small groups. [1] Peter, Nathaniel (1:35-51) “...power to become sons” [2] Nicodemus (3:1-21). Inner birth. [3] Samaritan woman (4:6-26). Inner life. [4] Blind man (9:35-41). Inner sight. [5] Martha and Mary (11). Inner faith. [6] The eleven (13-16). Inner power. [7] Mary Magdalene (20:1-18). Inner joy. [8] Peter (21:15-23). Inner change.