A Simple Guide to John

Chapter 1 - Early Days Near the Jordan; the First Followers
1:1-18 - The evangelist’s introduction
1:19-28 - John the Baptist is challenged by the Jerusalem authorities
1:29-34 - The Baptist recognizes Jesus as “the Lamb of God”
1:35-42 - Jesus attracts disciples
1:43-51 - Jesus tries to raise his disciples’ expectations

Chapter 2 - Jesus at a Wedding in Galilee; Jesus Visiting Jerusalem
2:1-12 - God’s glory revealed in Jesus’ response to a need at Cana
2:13-25 - During Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus challenges merchants in the Temple

Chapter 3 - Nicodemus is Baffled - Comments - the Baptist’s Disciples are Baffled - Comments
3:1-15 - Jesus, in Jerusalem, points out Nicodemus’ lack of faith
3:16-21 - The evangelist comments on Jesus’ desire to give us divine light
3:22-30 - John the Baptist tells his disciples to delight in Jesus’ teaching
3:31-36 - The evangelist comments about Jesus’ words

Chapter 4 - Acceptance by Samaritans; Acceptance by a Royal Official
4:1-26 - A Samaritan woman is invited to believe in Jesus . . .
4:27-30 . . . The woman gives witness to her belief
4:31-45 - Jesus visits the woman’s town
4:46-54 - One of Herod’s officials believes Jesus’ teaching because of a healing

Chapter 5 - Jerusalem Authorities Shocked by Jesus’ Belief in His Relationship with God
5:1-16 - Jesus heals a sick man on the Sabbath – Protests
5:17-30 - Jesus defends his work as God’s work
5:31-47 - Jesus continues to defend his relationship with the Father

Chapter 6 - Jesus Scandalizes His Fellow Galileans with the Gift of Himself
6:1-15 - By giving thanks to God, Jesus feeds a hungry crowd
6:16-21 - Jesus tells his disciples there is no need to fear
6:22-35 - The well-fed crowd wants free food, not divine food
6:35-51 - The crowd won’t believe Jesus’ offer to feed them true bread
6:51-59 - Jesus pleads with the crowd to let him feed them properly
6:60-71 - Even some disciples refuse Jesus’ offer

Chapter 7 - In Jerusalem, Jesus Again Proclaims God Is the Only Source of Life
7:1-31 - Jesus rejects worldly success; in Jerusalem, he preaches scripture
7:32-36 - The authorities want Jesus arrested; people still listen
7:37-53 - Jesus says he’s the source of living water; some believe, some don’t

Chapter 8 - Jesus, Still in Jerusalem, Is Heckled and Threatened
8:1-11 - Jesus is asked to make a judgment based on the Law
8:12-20 - Jesus once more defends his right to teach
8:21-30 - Jesus teaches that sin–turning from God–is death
8:30-43 - Discipleship described as a struggle with sin
8:44-59 - Jesus teaches about wickedness; the crowd rejects his teaching

Chapter 9 - Jesus Teaches by Healing a Blind Man
9:1-12 - Jesus and his disciples encounter a blind man
9:13-23 - Interrogation of the man who had been born blind
9:24-34 - The interrogation continues
9:35-41 - Jesus asks the newly-sighted man if he believes

Chapter 10 - Jesus Asks His Listeners Whom They Want to Follow; Another Feast
10:1-10 - Even sheep know whom to follow
10:11-21 - Jesus describes himself as the perfect shepherd
10:22-30 - Jesus, in Jerusalem for another feast, offers divine life
10:31-42 - Jesus’ offer of divine life rejected

Chapter 11- Jesus Calls Lazarus to Life; the Authorities Plot Jesus’ Death
11:1-16 - Jesus’ disciples are puzzled by his reaction to Lazarus’ illness
11:17-31 - Jesus asks Martha if she believes
11:32-44 - Jesus again gives thanks to the Father, so the crowd might believe
11:45-57 - Rejecting belief; seeking death

Chapter 12 - Jesus Returns to Friends in Bethany; Faces Threats in Jerusalem
12:1-11 - Jesus’ dinner with friends causes mixed feelings
12:12-19 - Jesus dares to enter Jerusalem
12:20-36 - Greeks want to meet Jesus; Jesus embraces glory; the crowd is unsure
12:37-43 - John puts Jesus’ failure into the context of scripture
12:44-50 - Jesus’ soliloquy about teaching

Chapter 13 - Jesus Gathers with His Disciples for a Supper
13:1-15 - Jesus washes his disciples’ feet
13:16-20 - Jesus explains service
13:21-30 - Jesus explains betrayal
13:31-38 - Jesus speaks of love; Peter speaks of loyalty

Chapter 14 – At Supper, Jesus Teaches about Trust, and Says the Spirit will Do the Same
14:1-14 - Jesus advises the disciples to let God work in them
14:15-31 - Those who follow Jesus’ instructions will be filled with the Spirit

Chapter 15 - Jesus Says: You’re Part of Me; I Love You; Love One Another, not the World
15:1-10 - Jesus describes the disciples’ relationship to him and the Father
15:11-17 - Jesus tells the disciples to learn to love as he does
15:18-27 - The world has a different idea of love

Chapter 16 - Another Promise to Send the Spirit; More Words of Encouragement
16:1-11 - Jesus says it’s right for him to go, and for the Spirit to come
16:12-24 - Jesus assures the disciples that their sorrow will turn to joy
16:25-33 - Jesus says the disciples still have much to learn

Chapter 17 - Jesus Once More Looks to the Father
17:1-5 - Jesus looks to the Father for glory
17:6-19 - Jesus prays for his disciples
17:20-26 - Jesus prays for all who believe

Chapter 18 - Jesus is Arrested, Abandoned by Friends, and Brought to Trial
18:1-14 - Arrest
18:15-19 - Peter denies knowing Jesus
18:20-24 - Jesus’ trial begins
18:25-27 - Peter again denies knowing Jesus
18:28-32 - The Jewish authorities bring Jesus before Pilate
18:33-40 - Pilate speaks with Jesus, then speaks with the Jews

Chapter 19 - Jesus is Tortured, Executed, and Buried
19:1-8 - Pilate tries to mollify the crowd with torture
19:9-16 - Pilate abandons control of the judicial proceeding
19:17-27 - Jesus is crucified
19:28-37 - Jesus dies
19:38-42 - Jesus is buried

Chapter 20 - The Tomb is Empty; Jesus Appears to His Disciples
20:1-10 - Jesus is not in the tomb
20:11-18 - Mary Magdalene sees Jesus
20:19-31 - Jesus appears to other disciples

Chapter 21 - A Variation on Jesus’ Commission to His Disciples
21:1-14 - Daily business and divine business
21:15-25 - Jesus gives a commission to Peter, and to us