John presents Jesus as the embodiment of Lagos (Word) and connects Lagos to Greco-Roman philosophy.
John aligns his Gospel with both the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, bridging philosophical ideas with religious significance.
Deep dives
John introduces Jesus through Lagos and Light
John's introduction to the Gospel of John focuses on the concept of Lagos (Word) and the motif of light. He presents Jesus as the embodiment of Lagos, the rational person who brings illumination. John connects Lagos to Greco-Roman philosophy, referencing the ideas of Heraclitus and other Greek philosophers. By subverting these philosophical concepts, John emphasizes that Lagos is not an abstract force but a person, namely Jesus.
The Importance of Context in Understanding John
John aligns his Gospel with the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. He highlights John the Baptist's role as a witness, pointing out the connections to the Essene worldview and the concept of being sons of light. John bridges the philosophical ideas of Lagos and illumination with the practical Jewish context of the Messiah and the law of Moses. This combination sets the stage for understanding the significance of Jesus in both philosophical and religious terms.
The Journey from Change to Service
The first 18 verses of John introduce key themes and concepts, including change, conflict, illumination, and service. This journey parallels the progression of the four Gospels in the early church's intentional presentation to new believers. Matthew focuses on change, Mark on conflict, John on illumination, and Luke on service. Scholars like Alexander Sha propose that the Gospels were purposefully arranged to guide believers through these stages of transformation.
The Word Becomes Flesh and Reveals God
The section ends with the proclamation that the Word (Lagos) became flesh in Jesus and dwelled among humanity. John emphasizes that Jesus, the one and only Son, reveals God's glory, full of grace and truth. He contrasts the law given through Moses with the grace and truth that came through Jesus. John asserts that through Jesus, God is made known to humanity despite no one having seen God directly.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings start a verse-by-verse journey through the Gospel of John, beginning with a discussion about how John introduces us to Jesus.
