Sources: John 1–21; 1, 2, 3 John; Ignatius of Antioch (~107 AD); Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1 (attributing authorship to John the apostle).

The Gospel of John (~90–100 AD) is theologically the most developed and philosophically the most ambitious of the Gospels — and the most debated in terms of authorship and historical reliability. Its unique features: (1) The Logos prologue (1:1–18) draws on Greek philosophical concepts (Stoic-Platonic logos as the rational principle of the cosmos) and Jewish Wisdom literature (Prov 8:22–31, Sirach 24) to identify Jesus with the pre-existent divine Word; (2) The “I AM” sayings — seven metaphorical (bread of life, light of world, door, good shepherd, resurrection, way/truth/life, vine) and three absolute (“Before Abraham was, I AM,” 8:58; 13:19; 18:5–6) that echo YHWH’s self-disclosure at the burning bush; (3) The Farewell discourses (John 13–17) — no parallel in the Synoptics — the most sustained teaching on the Spirit, union with Christ, and love; (4) The high priestly prayer (John 17) — Jesus prays for the unity of believers; (5) Absence of the Synoptic exorcisms — John has no exorcisms, and the Twelve are rarely mentioned; (6) Different chronology — the Temple clearing is at the beginning (ch. 2) not the end, and the crucifixion is on the Day of Preparation (Passover eve), not after the Passover meal. John wrote knowing Matthew, Mark, and Luke existed and chose to supplement rather than duplicate them.