Reflections on the Gospel of John

“Without question, the writer is an eyewitness to the life and work of Jesus Christ and the events at Golgotha.... ‘He who bore witness to these things has himself seen it, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth, so that you too may gain peace of mind’ (Jn 19:35). In the last verses of John’s Gospel, this eyewitness is mentioned once again as its author.”

The Gospel of John occupies a special place among the four Gospels. Not only is it precise in its historical details and its descriptions of the events of Jesus’ life and work—lending support to its claim of being an eyewitness account—but it also offers a deep insight into the person of Jesus Christ through his questions, statements and other utterances.

In this perceptive book, Christian Community priest Johannes Lauten reflects on the many layers of meaning in John’s Gospel. He explores some of the lesser-known figures surrounding Christ, examines recurring words and phrases such as the “Son of Man” and the seven “I am” statements, and illumines such themes as knowledge, faith, the working of grace, and Christ’s path to the Cross.

Lauten also considers the origin of the Gospel and questions the accepted notion that it was written by John, the son of Zebedee and the brother of James. He suggests that the account of the raising of Lazarus—not recorded in the other gospels—holds the key to the true identity of the “disciple whom Jesus loved.”