If looking at the New Testament as purely literature, a theological treatise, or as a the definitive statement of Christian faith, it is impossible to ignore the brilliance of the Book of John. Unlike the other Gospels which, in the case of Mark, a relatively simple accounts of the life of Jesus and in the case of both Matthew and Luke, interweaving of Jesus’ life (mostly taken from Mark), and his collected sayings (from the theoretical Q source) intended to persuade either Jewish or Greek readers (listeners) of Jesus’ place as Messiah and Son of God; the Book of John makes an unequivocal statement: Jesus is Divine. From the first words of chapter one the Book of John states that Jesus is the Word, the creator of all things and, at least in readings post-Nicea, serves as the central proof-text for the concept of the Christian Trinity.
The themes found all throughout John are both persistent and persuasive and find their culmination in John 17; the Great Intercessory Prayer given by Jesus before the account of his arrest, conviction, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. In this single chapter, the author of the Book of John is able to combine themes into a powerful holistic statement on Jesus’ nature, the purpose of his ministry, and nature of Christian discipleship.
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