The Author of the Gospel of John is the Apostle John, and is identified in the Gospel only as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. Some of the evidence that supports his authorship is that the author is Jewish based on his familiarity with Jewish customs and history. The author is an eyewitness to the events of Jesus’ life and ministry reciting details about number of fish caught and details at the miracle at Cana including the claim of being an eyewitness in chapter 21.
The purpose of John’s telling of this account is written in his own hand in John 21:31; “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
John’s gospel is directed to a wide audience. A unique aspect is the mention of the “world” 78 times. Another unique part of John is his description of miracles as signs. Remember that John’s purpose is to point people to Christ and signs direct peoples attention. Thus the miracles of Jesus point to who He is and to His power to help each of us in our own needs. Other words that appear numerous times in John are Believe and Life. Again when we think of John’s purpose in writing we see why these are important things to mention.
John differs from the other Gospels in that it includes many stories not included elsewhere. 92 percent of John is unique material. Some of this unique material is the inclusion of the 7 “I Am” statements, the various meetings with people such as the woman at the well and the wedding at Cana, and the greater detail of the Lord’s Supper including the washing of the disciple’s feet.
John also faces off against the false teaching that was spreading at the time that Jesus could not be human and divine. John later continues this same correction in his letters.
