How does John portray Jesus in his Gospel?

John's gospel is quite different from the synoptics in its setting, in its chronology and in its content. The introduction even commences in a unique way "In the beginning..".

John wanted to bring the good new of a Jewish Messiah to a world that was

heavily influenced by Greek philosophy.

Around 9 out of 10 verses are new and unique to John. He aimed his message at the people who didn't understand anything Jewish. He changed the Jewish Wording of Messiah to The Christ and the Jewish Word Rabbi to teacher, more easily understood by non-Jews, however in a broader sense he wrote to give the Christians a fuller understanding of the life of Jesus and His ministry.

John is also a gospel of the Logos (The Word). John frequently uses this Word "Logos" as in John 1:1 " The Eternal Son of God" and John 1:14,18 "The God who became flesh". He introduces John the Baptist referring to Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This unique introduction opens the way to capture the Jews' attention.

John outlines 5 "signs" which are unique to his gospel, one of which is Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding.

Several verses also unique to John are the "I AM" sayings in John 8:58 - (this is a statement the Jews would understand.) and John 14:6 "I AM the way, the truth and life".

Also unique to John is verse 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life...".

More unique verses by John tell the reader "who Jesus Christ is" - John 10:24-33- He is the Son of God. In John 8:40-43 He is the Son of David and John 12:32-34 states He is the Son of man.

John provides a wealth of information that provides the reader with new insights into the life of Jesus and His works that is not given elsewhere.