Why Is the Ending of the Gospel of John So Different from the Other Gospels?

Have you ever noticed that the endings of the four Gospels in the New Testament differ significantly from each other? While some end with clear and direct statements about the Resurrection and the future of Christ, others provide more ambiguous or mysterious conclusions. This article delves into the discrepancies, focusing particularly on the ending of the Gospel of John and how it differs from the other three Gospels.

A Comparison of Gospel Endings

Let's take a quick glance at the endings of the other three Gospels to understand the disparities:

The Gospel of Mark

After the women visit the empty tomb and meet a man in white, the text reads, 'They left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came and seized his feet and prostrated themselves before him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. You are seeing the angels of the end of the age.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount of Olives, and they were within the city. They were questioning one another about all this. While they were gathered together and were saying these things, behold, he himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you”' (Mark 16:8-19, NIV).

The Gospel of Matthew

Matthew concludes with the post-Resurrection appearance of Christ, where He addresses the disciples and says, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen" (Matthew 28:20). This clear statement reassures the disciples and the readers of the ongoing presence of Christ.

The Gospel of Luke

In Luke, the final chapter sees the disciples being ordered to remain in Jerusalem, awaiting the Holy Spirit. Jesus disappears, leaving them in awe and anticipation (Luke 24:50-53).

The Gospel of John

The original ending of the Gospel of John was simple and direct: "Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:30-31, NIV). However, an additional chapter (Chapter 21) was later added, which makes a significant mess of the narrative and shifts focus away from the original author's intent.

Discrepancies in the Ending of the Gospel of John

When one looks at the extra material added to the Gospel of John, particularly Chapter 21, the text becomes less coherent and deviates from the original author's style and intent. For instance, the original Gospel highlighted the simplicity and clarity of the Resurrection events, highlighting the belief and life it brings to those who accept Jesus as the Christ.

The redactor who later added Chapter 21 seems to have taken a different approach, elevating Peter's importance and changing the dynamics of the narrative. This addition disrupts the natural flow and coherence of the Gospel, as the original author had no intention of following the pattern set by the previous three Gospels.

The Original Purpose of the Gospel of John

It is believed that the author of the Gospel of John wanted to end with the core message of the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life. Verses 30 and 31, which conclude the Gospel, reflect this intention clearly: "Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:30-31, NIV).

This conclusion is both conclusive and cohesive, emphasizing the belief required and the life available through faith in Jesus. The joyful and straightforward nature of these verses supports the idea that the original author aimed to provide a simple, direct message about the Resurrection and its significance for the followers of Christ.

Conclusion: A Natural Ending for John

The Gospel of John could have naturally concluded with the Resurrection events and their meaning, much like the other Gospels. However, the addition of Chapter 21 has clouded the earlier clarity and coherence of the Gospel. It is important to consider the original ending, as it reflects the author's intent and the intended message for the readers.

References

Mark 16:8-19, NIV Matthew 28:20, NIV Luke 24:50-53, NIV John 20:30-31, NIV