JOHN, BOOK OF

The first three Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are called SYNOPTICS (see), because they view the life of Christ from roughly the same vantagepoint. John's account is different. His record is not addressed to a particular segment of society; rather, it is cosmopolitan in nature. John's Gospel starts at the very "beginning" of time, emphasizing that the Word (Christ) was in existence eternally (1:1, 14). The Fourth Gospel is very selective, focusing upon slightly more than thirty days of Jesus' ministry (which lasted three and one-half years). It especially stresses the "signs" performed by the Lord, noting that these establish the fact that he is "the Christ, the Son of God" (20:30-31).