Leo Martínez
The Gospel of John paints a unique portrait of Jesus, exploring his divinity and using a highly interpretive writing style. John's portrayal of Jesus as the Christ is deepened by biblical context and grandiose names like The King and The Light of the World. John also employs the number seven, symbolic of perfection, to portray Jesus through seven miraculous signs and names. While John's gospel differs from those of Mark, Luke, and Matthew, each source about Jesus offers a distinct perspective, creating a multifaceted understanding of his identity and significance. Artists like Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci have also contributed to the diverse depictions of Jesus and his cousin, John the Baptist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting | Christ of Saint John of the Cross |
| Painter | Salvador Dalí |
| Year | 1951 |
| Collection | Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow |
| Description | Depicts Jesus Christ on the cross in a darkened sky floating over a body of water with a boat and fishermen |
| Uniqueness | Devoid of nails, blood, and a crown of thorns |
| Reason for uniqueness | Dalí was convinced by a dream that these features would mar his depiction of Christ |
| Angle of the painting | Revealed to Dalí in a dream |
| Composition of Christ | Based on a triangle and circle |
| Purchase | Bought by Tom Honeyman, then the Director of Glasgow Museums, for £8,200 |
| Gospel of John | Establishes Jesus' divinity explicitly from the outset and throughout the text |
| Gospel of John | Uses a highly interpretative style of writing |
| Gospel of John | Likely written for an inward-focused community of believers |
| Purpose of John's portrait of Jesus | Not just to magnify the subject, but to change the observers |
| John's method | Pictures Jesus through collections of seven |
| Jesus' titles | The King, the Savior and Light of the World, The Bread of Life, The Resurrection and the Life, The Alpha and Omega |
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What You'll Learn
John's gospel establishes Jesus' divinity explicitly
John's Gospel, also known as the ''spiritual gospel', offers a unique perspective on Jesus, explicitly establishing his divinity. This is in contrast to the Synoptic Gospels of Mark, Luke, and Matthew, which are grouped together as they are meant to be viewed together. John's Gospel stands out for its explicit claims about Jesus' divinity, its highly interpretative writing style, and its inward focus.
John's Gospel begins with the famous words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning" (Jn 1:1). Here, John equates Jesus with the Word, stating that Jesus was not just with God but was God himself. This idea is reinforced later in the prologue: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14). By stating that the Word, or Jesus, "became flesh," John is highlighting the incarnation of Jesus as a human being, emphasizing that Jesus is both divine and human.
Throughout his Gospel, John emphasizes Jesus' divinity through the titles he bestows upon him and the miracles he performs. Jesus is referred to as "The King," "The Savior and Light of the World," "The Bread of Life," and "The Resurrection and the Life." These titles are not earned through effort or talent but are His by divine right as the Creator. John also describes Jesus' miracles, such as turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), healing with a word (John 4:46-54), suspending the laws of gravity (John 6:16-21), and reversing death (John 11:1-44). These miracles are a testament to Jesus' divine nature and power.
John also uses a highly interpretative writing style, employing symbolic language and imagery to convey deeper meanings. For example, he portrays Jesus through collections of seven, a number that symbolizes perfection, completeness, and fullness in Scripture. This interpretive style adds a layer of complexity to John's portrait of Jesus, inviting readers to delve deeper into the text.
Furthermore, John's Gospel is believed to have been written for an inward-focused community of believers. This inward focus is reflected in the text, as John seeks to change the observers, offering them "life in His name" (John 20:31). The purpose of John's portrait of Jesus is not merely to magnify the subject but to bring spiritual transformation to those who believe.
In summary, John's Gospel establishes Jesus' divinity explicitly through its bold claims, interpretative style, and inward focus. John presents Jesus as both divine and human, emphasizing His unique nature as "the Christ," through whom God fulfills His redemptive purposes for humanity.
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John's writing style is highly interpretative
The Gospel of John is known for its highly interpretative style of writing, which sets it apart from other canonical texts. John's gospel is often referred to as the 'spiritual gospel', in contrast with the Synoptic gospels of Mark, Luke, and Matthew.
Firstly, John's gospel makes explicit claims about Jesus' divinity from the very beginning. The famous prologue declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1:1, 14). By equating Jesus with the Word of God, John establishes Jesus as divine. This divine nature is further emphasised by the titles John attributes to Jesus, such as "The Light of the World," "The Way, The Truth, and The Life," and "The Alpha and Omega" (John 1:1-18, 11:25,40).
Secondly, the Gospel of John is characterised by an inward-focus, meaning it was likely written for an inward-focused community of believers. This inward focus encourages readers to look within themselves and interpret the text in a personal and individual manner.
Lastly, John uses symbolic language and imagery to portray Jesus. One unique aspect is his use of the number seven, which symbolises perfection, completeness, and fullness. John hangs his picture of Jesus on seven miraculous signs and seven meaningful names, each with its own symbolic significance. This symbolic use of numbers adds a layer of interpretation for readers to explore.
John's interpretative style also extends to his portrayal of Jesus' miracles. For example, turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), healing with a word (John 4:46-54), suspending the laws of gravity (John 6:16-21), and reversing death (John 11:1-44) are all interpreted as manifestations of Jesus' divine nature.
Overall, John's writing style in the Gospel of John is highly interpretative because it encourages readers to engage with the text, reflect on its symbolic meanings, and interpret Jesus' divinity and miracles in their own personal way.
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John's gospel was likely written for an inward-focused community of believers
The Gospel of John paints a portrait of Jesus as the Son of God, with seven "I am" discourses and declarations, and seven "signs" that culminate in the raising of Lazarus, foreshadowing Jesus's resurrection. John's high Christology depicts Jesus as divine and pre-existent, defending him against Jewish claims that he was "making himself equal to God". John's Gospel differs from the Synoptic Gospels in its emphasis on the individual's personal relationship with God, its theological character, and its literary and symbolic nature. It is believed to have been written in the 90s of the first century, with an emphasis on communicating the truths about Christ.
The Gospel also portrays Jesus as a mystical figure, with the author choosing to include certain episodes to help readers understand and share in the mystical union of Christ's church. This mystical symbolism and emphasis on the incarnation further suggest that the text was intended for a community seeking a deeper understanding of their faith.
Additionally, John's Gospel has a special theological character, and it was considered in ancient times to be the "spiritual Gospel". It had a profound influence on the development of early Christian doctrine, which indicates that it was likely written for a community that valued theological reflection and spiritual growth.
The Gospel also seems to emphasize the role of women in the Christian community, presenting the woman at the well in Samaria as a prototype of a missionary and featuring a woman as the first witness of the resurrection. This suggests that the text may have been written for a community that was open to re-evaluating traditional gender roles and including women in leadership positions.
Overall, the Gospel of John's focus on the individual's relationship with God, its theological and symbolic nature, and its emphasis on the inward dynamics of the community suggest that it was likely written for a group of believers who were seeking spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of their faith.
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John's portrait of Jesus is coloured with the glowing hues of deity
John's portrait of Jesus is unique when compared to the gospels of Mark, Luke, and Matthew. John's portrayal of Jesus is coloured with the glowing hues of deity, emphasising his divinity. John's gospel establishes Jesus' divinity explicitly, using a highly interpretative style of writing. The gospel begins with the words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning" (Jn 1:1). This bold statement defines God as being Jesus, with Jesus himself being the Word.
John's portrait of Jesus is not just about magnifying the subject but also about transforming the observers. Through his writing, John presents Jesus as the "Light of the World," "The Way, The Truth, and The Life," and "The Alpha and Omega." These titles are not achieved through effort or talent but are His by divine right as the Creator.
John's unique method of picturing Jesus through collections of seven further emphasises the divinity of his portrait. The number seven is significant in Creation, as God created the cosmos in six days and rested on the seventh day, signifying perfection, completeness, and fullness.
John also wants readers to see Jesus as "the Christ," the one through whom God fulfills His redemptive purposes for humanity. This is evident in the grandiose names Jesus wears in John's gospel, such as "The King" and "The Savior and Light of the World." John paints Jesus as the Christ through the testimony of witnesses, who declare, "We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ" (John 6:69).
Overall, John's portrait of Jesus is indeed coloured with the glowing hues of deity, presenting a unique and transformative perspective of Jesus' divinity and his role as the Christ.
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John's portrayal of Jesus as the Christ
John's gospel emphasizes the divinity of Jesus and presents Him as the Heavenly One who came down from Heaven and dwelt among us, revealing His Divine glory. This is further supported by John 1:14, which states, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Here, John highlights the incarnation of Christ, where the eternal God took on human nature and became a real, sinless, perfect man.
Additionally, John's gospel highlights Jesus' ""I am" statements, which offer a self-portrait of Jesus and provide insight into His nature and character. Through these statements, Jesus reveals Himself as the source of human salvation and the one who satisfies the spiritual hunger in people's souls. John's portrayal of Jesus as the Christ invites readers to believe in Him and experience eternal life.
Overall, John's portrayal of Jesus as the Christ emphasizes His divinity, humanity, and role as the savior and source of eternal life. By presenting Jesus as the Heavenly One who dwelt among us, John's gospel offers a unique perspective on the nature and significance of Jesus Christ.
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Frequently asked questions
Saint John's portrait of Jesus aims to appreciate that each source about Jesus is a 'portrait' and as such, each source is unique.
Saint John's portrait of Jesus has three unique characteristics: the explicit claims about Jesus’ divinity, the highly interpretative style of writing, and the inward-focus of the text.
Saint John portrays Jesus as "the Christ", the One through whom God chose to fulfill His redemptive purposes for humanity.
The names of Jesus in Saint John's portrait include "The King", "The Savior and Light of the World", "The Bread of Life", and "The Resurrection and the Life".
