As you read the Bible do not expect to understand it all the first time through. Many parts do not become clear until you have read the Bible several times. Obeying the parts you do understand will keep you plenty busy. This book is about Jesus. As you read this book try to answer the questions, "Who is Jesus?" and "Why did He do and say the things that He did?" If you come to a blank try to fill it in. The answers to the reading questions are below, but you might have something slightly different depending on what version you use. Your answer does not have to be exact as long as its meaning is similar. If a question appears without a blank you are not supposed to write your answer but just think about what you would answer.
There are two John's in the New Testament. This Gospel was written by the Apostle John who calls himself "the apostle whom Jesus loved." In the Gospel it also talks about a different John, John the Baptist, who announced Jesus' coming as foretold at the end of the Old Testament
(Malachi 3:1 and 4:5, Matthew 11:7-11). Scholars believe the Gospel of John was written by John the Apostle around 90 AD give or take ten years.
What the Bible tells us about the Apostle John:
John was a fisherman
(I) John was a Jew, who was a native of Galilee, as were 11 of the twelve disciples. His name is always among the first 4 mentioned. (Matt 4:18-21, Luke 6:14-16, Matt 10:2)
(II) John was a disciple of John the Baptist prior to meeting Jesus (John 1:37).
(III) What was John's father's name? (Mark 3:17, Mark 10:35). ______________
(IV) John's father appears to have been prosperous because he had hired servants. (Mk. 1:20).and because John was known to the High Priest in Jerusalem at a young age (John 18:15).
(V) His brother, James, was also a disciple of Jesus. Because James is always listed first whenever the two are named together it is presumed that James was the older of the two.
Chapter 1 - Before reading chapter 1 read 1st John 1:1-4. Because 1st John was also written by the Apostle John, these verses help make it clear that when the gospel says "In the beginning was the Word…" the word
"Word" means Jesus. Also notice what John 1:14 has to say about it. Now read John chapter 1 and complete the
following blanks. John 1:4-5 "In Him was (A) ______ and the (B) ______ was the (C) _______ of men. And the (D) ________ shineth in the darkness; but the darkness comprehended it not."
Who was the man sent from God? (E) _________________ Notice that this man called Jesus the "Son of God" and the "Lamb of God." The Jews understood that the sacrifice of a lamb symbolized the taking away of sin. Exodus 12:1-12 records the sacrificial lamb being offered at the Passover. (Also see the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22.) Who are the four other men mentioned that Jesus makes his disciples in John Chapter 1?
(F) ____________
(G) _________
(H) _________ and
(I) ___________
Chapter 2 - In this chapter Jesus performs his first miracle reported in this Gospel. Eight of Jesus miracles are reported by John. Seven of those are not reported in the other three Gospels. John is very unique from the others in other ways as well.
(I) He omits the birth, boyhood, genealogy, youth, baptism, temptation, transfiguration and ascension and begins with the fact that Jesus is God.
(II) While the others report many parables John reports only one
(the Parable of the Good Shepherd) in Chapter 10
(many Bible scholars do not believe it is really a parable but rather just a picture of Jesus.)
(III) Only about 20 days of Christ's life are recorded. The days recorded are probably not in order.
(IV) John uses the doubled term "Verily, verily" 25 times. The other Gospels only use "verily." The word means "amen" or "truly."
(V) John uses 13 unique names for Jesus such as "Lamb of God."
Read chapter 2 and complete the following blanks. John 2:3-11 Jesus turned
(A) __________ into
(B) ________
(John 2:1) at a
(C) ______________ John 2:13-17 Jesus uses a whip or scourge made of
(D) ______ to chase the
(E) ________________ out of the
(F) ________
(G) What do you think Jesus would do if he were to visit a church now?
Chapter 3 - No other Gospel reports so many personal conversations of Jesus. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin which was for the Jews a kind of a legislature and supreme court all rolled up into one. It was this Sanhedrin that held an illegal trial of Jesus with the High Priest in the middle of the night
(John 18:19-23) Most scholars believe Nicodemus was not present at the trial of Jesus. Nicodemus was also a Pharisee. These were a group within the Jews sort of like a denomination. They tried to be extra religious and follow the Old
Testament laws to the letter. [It is strongly recommended that you memorize John 3:16 if you have not already.]
Read chapter 3 and complete the following blanks.
(A) Nicodemus came to Jesus at what time? _______
(B) Who testifies publicly about Jesus again here? John 3:25-36 ____________
(C) If you had a chance for a private conversation with Jesus how would it be different than the one He had with Nicodemus?
Chapter 4 - Here is another personal conversation of Jesus. Samaritans and Jews did not like each other. They had been enemies off and on for a 1,000 years. Read chapter 4 and complete the following blanks.
(A) How many husbands had the woman at the well had? John 4:18 ______
(B) Who does Jesus claim to be in verses 25 & 26? __________________________
(C) When Jesus heals the man's son did he touch him, talk to him, or even see him? John 4:46-54 ____
Chapter 5 - Notice the close relationship between Jesus and God the Father reported in this chapter. Read chapter 5 and complete the blanks.
(A) How long had the man which Jesus healed been ill? ________________
(B) What does Jesus promise to those who hear His words and believe Him? ____________________
(C) Jesus claims that the Scriptures __________ about Him.
("Scriptures" here means Old Testament)
Chapter 6 - There are eight miracles recorded in John's gospel and of them, only the feeding of the five thousand, reported in this chapter, appears in any other gospel. Notice after He feeds them bread He tells them He is the bread of life. Read chapter 6 and complete the following blanks.
(A) How many loaves and fishes did they have to start with? ___________________
(B) How many baskets were left over when they were done? __________
(C) What miracle do we find in John 6:19? Jesus ________ on the _______
Chapter 7 - Read chapter 7 and complete the following blanks.
(A) Did Jesus' brothers believe in Him? ______
(B) Jesus went to the feast and taught in the _______________
Chapter 8 - Read the story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-16. Notice in Exodus 3:14 God says,
"I am that I am." When Jesus says the same thing in John 8:58 He is claiming to be God.
Read John chapter 8 and complete the following blank.
(A) Of what was the woman brought to Jesus accused? ______________
Many people think that what Jesus was writing in verse 8 was a list of sins that the woman's accusers had committed.
(B) The Bible does not say that but it does bring up a question. If Jesus was to make a list of your sins what would it say?
Chapter 9 - Read chapter 9 and complete the following blanks.
(A) Why were the Pharisees upset by the healing of the blind man? ________________________________________________
Chapter 10 - Read chapter 10 and complete the following blanks.
(A) According to verses 10:19-21 were the Jews in agreement about Jesus? ______
(B) In verse 27 it says that if we are the Lord's sheep we will hear His voice. Do you hear his voice?
Chapter 11 - Read chapter and complete the following blanks.
(A) In verse 25 Jesus says that He is the ________________________________
(B) In verse 35, what did Jesus do? _______
(C) In John 11:43 Jesus called Lazarus from the grave by calling his name. It has been suggested that if He had not said Lazarus' name but had said instead just, "Come forth," that every dead person in the graveyard would have gotten up out of the grave in answer to His command. What do you think?
Chapter 12 - Read chapter 12 and complete the following blanks.
(A) Where did Jesus go to supper? _____________________________________________
(B) What did the people carry out to meet Jesus with as He entered Jerusalem? ___________________
(C) According to the last verse in the chapter where did Jesus get the words He spoke? ______________
Chapter 13 - Read chapter 13 and complete the following blanks. Because everyone wore sandals then it was customary for a guest to have their feet washed by the servants of the house he came to visit.
(A) If Jesus washed the disciples' feet how are we to treat each other? _______________________
(B) What was the "new" commandment Jesus gave to us? ________________________________
Do you obey this command?
Chapter 14 - Read chapter 14 and complete the following blanks.
(A) Jesus says that His Father's house has many ___________ This could be loosely translated that in the Father's place (heaven) there are places for us all.
(B) In v. 13, what does Jesus promise He will do if we ask in His name? _______________
(C) What does this mean to you?
(D) Jesus also promises to send a Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. What do you think He means?
Chapter 15 - Read chapter 15 and complete the following blanks. What do you think it means when Jesus says He is the "true vine?"
(A) What does Jesus command? ______________________________
(B) How can a man show the greatest love? ______________________________________
Chapter 16 - Read chapter 16 and complete the following blanks.
(A) Did the disciples understand Jesus when he prophesied his death and resurrection? _____
(B) Which prayers can we expect God to answer when we pray in the name of Jesus? _________________
Chapter 17 - Read chapter 17 and complete the following blanks.
(A) To whom is Jesus speaking in this chapter? ____________
(B) What does Jesus say is truth? ___________________
Chapter 18 - Read chapter 18 and complete the following blanks.
(A) What did Simon Peter cut off of Malchus?
____________ Caiphas held the office of High Priest but his father-in-law, Annas, had been the High Priest before so he retained the title, sort of like we still call people president even after they leave office.
(B) Jesus was also taken before the Roman Governor whose name was ____________
Chapter 19 - Read chapter 19 and complete the following blanks. What did they do to Jesus?
John 19:1 ________________
John 19:2 _______________ and __________________
John 19:3 __________________ and ________________
John 19:17 _______________
John 19:18 _____________________
John 19:23 _____________________
John 19:30 __________________
John 19:34 ________________________________
John 19:39-40 ____________________________________
John 19:41-42 _____________________
Chapter 20 - Read chapter 20 and complete the following blanks.
(A) Who saw the empty tomb? _________________________________________
(B) Who saw the risen Lord? _________________________________________
Chapter 21 - Read chapter 21 and answer these questions.
(A) After seeing the resurrected Lord Jesus, Peter went out and began preaching the gospel. TRUE or FALSE?
(B) How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he loved Him? ___________________
--------------------------- Answers to Questions ---------------------------
(III) The father of John the Apostle was Zebedee.
Chapter 1 John 1:4-5
(A) life
(B) life
(C) light
(D) light
(E) John 1:6 John the Baptist
(F) John 1:42 Simon Peter
(G) John 1:40 Andrew
(H) John 1:43 Philip and
(I) John 1:47:48 Nathanael
Chapter 2 John 2:3-11
(A) water
(B) wine
(C) 2:1 at a wedding in Cana of Galilee
John 2:13-17
(D) rope or small cords
(E) money changers or changers of money
(F) temple
Chapter 3
(A) John 3:2 Night
(B) John 3:25-36 John the Baptist.
Chapter 4
(A) John 4:18 Five.
(B) John 4:25-26? The Messiah which is called Christ.
(C) John 4:46-54 No.
Chapter 5
(A) John 5:5 Thirty-eight years.
(B) John 5:24 Everlasting or eternal life
(C) John 5:39 testified
Chapter 6
(A) John 6:9 Five loaves and two small fishes
(B) 6:13 Twelve baskets
(C) 6:19 walked on water
Chapter 7
(A) John 7:5 No
(B) John 2:14 temple
Chapter 8
(A) John 8:3 Adultery
Chapter 9
(A) John 9:14 Because it was done on a Sabbath.
Chapter 10
(A) John 10:19-21 No
Chapter 11
(A) John 11:25 resurrection and the life
(B) John 11:35 wept
Chapter 12
(A) John 12:1-2 The house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary in Bethany
(B) John 12:13 palm branches
(C) John 12:50 From the Father.
Chapter 13
(A) John 13:14-15 Be servants to one another
(B) John 13:34 Love one another
Chapter 14
(A) John 14:2 mansions or places
(B) John 14:13-14 Anything
Chapter 15
(A) John 15:12 & 17 That we love one another
(B) John 15:13 To lay down his life for his friends
Chapter 16
(A) John 16:17 No
(B) John 16:23 All of them.
Chapter 17
(A) John 17:1 The Father
(B) John 17:17 God's Word.
Chapter 18
(A) John 18:10 Right ear
(B) John 18:28-40 Pilate
(the Roman Governor)
Chapter 19 John 19:1 Beat Him with a whip 19:2 Crowned Him with thorns 19:2 Clothed Him with purple
19:3 Ridiculed Him. 19:3 Beat Him with their hands. 19:17 Made Him carry His cross 19:18 Crucified Him
19:23 Stole His clothing 19:30 Gave Him vinegar to drink. 19:34 Pierced His side to make sure He was dead 19:39-40 Wrapped Him in linen cloth with a hundred pounds of spices 19:41-42 Put Him in a tomb
Chapter 20
(A) John 20:1-10 Mary Magdalene, Peter and John
(B) John 20:16 Mary Magdalene John 20:19 Most of the disciples and
(John 20:24-29) Thomas.
Chapter 21
(A) John 21:3 False
(B) John 21:15-17 Three
----------------------- Gospel of John Thought Questions -------------------------------
Please answer the following questions by looking up the Bible verses or looking back at this lesson.
22. Why was the Gospel of John written? (Hint: John 20:31)
23. According to the John, who is Jesus Christ? (Hint: John 1:1-5; 4:42; 10:11; 10:30; 11:27; 19:19; and 20:28-31)
24. What did Jesus Christ claim to be? (Hint: John 6:35; 8:12; 8:58; 10:9-11; 11:25; and 14:6)
25. Who are the servants or slaves of sin? (Hint: John 3:19-20; 8:7-10; and 8:34)
26. How can the problem of our sin be solved? (Hint: John 1:14; 3:16-17; 8:36; and 19:30)
27. What will happen to those who do not believe on Christ, and who refuse to put their full trust in Him? (Hint: John 3:16-19; 3:36; 5:28-29; and 8:24)
28. Do you believe Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead? Why or why not?(Hint: John 19:32-35 and John 20:19-29)
29. This is John 3:16 with some blanks in it. Put your own name in the blanks. "For God so loved _______________ _____________ that He gave His only begotten Son for _______________ _____________ that if _______________ _____________ believes in Him, _______________ _____________ will not perish, but _______________ _____________ will have everlasting life."
30. What does this verse mean?
31. Do you know you have the eternal life promised by God? Why or why not? (Hint: John 1:11-12; 3:36; 5:24; 6:35-37; 6:47; 11:25-26; 14:1-3; 14:6; 14:27; 15:11; and 17:3)
32. How can we be true disciples of Jesus Christ? (Hint: Read John 8:31)
33. What questions about the Gospel of John would you like to see discussed here?
34. What one thing about your study of John do you most want to remember?
35. Which verse would you recommend be memorized from this book other than John 3:16. Why?
36. Which book would you like to study next?