How was John's Gospel compiled?

Answer 1

A:The Gospel of John was written anonymously in a mildly Gnostic community now known as the Johannine community because of the tradition that this gospel was written by the apostle John.

John was based on two main sources, Luke's Gospel and Mark's Gospel, with Luke very much the most important of the two. Instead of simply copying and elaborating his sources, the author felt free to change the chronology or context and even reverse the meaning of some passages. So, for example, we have the crucifixion moved from the day after the Jewish Passover feast, to the day before the feast. However, the author seems to have been careful not to directly contradict either of his sources. As we know, Christians can look at John and any one of the synoptic gospels and, although there are surprising differences, not feel that one or the other simply must be false. While the material from Mark is relatively minimal, the direct influence of the original New Testament gospel can be proven by John's use of Markan intercalations. These are a very subtle literary device that are particular to Mark's Gospel, in which he emphasised two contrasting stories. When Luke copied material from Mark, he typically copied the contents without the intercalations, which he no doubt did not fully appreciate. When John added material not found in Luke, but found in Mark, this is evidence of Markan influence. When John used material from Mark and used that material with intercalation, it is proof of Markan influence.

The 'disciple whom Jesus loved' is a character quite unique to John. He was introduced into passages where he could be used in comparision with the apostle Peter, with the beloved disciple always a better disciple or otherwise superior to Peter. It would seem tat the author of John wanted to minimise the veneration of Peter without actually criticising him. Similarly, the concept of Doubting Thomas is unique to John and serves to lower the reputation of Thomas, without actually seeming to do so. John's Gospel could be regarded as something of a political document.

There seem to have been an earlier ending at verse 20:31, before further material was added to make the Gospel we know today.