In the Gospel of John, the author provides readers with a new way of thinking about Jesus as a spiritual savior who is offering eternal salvation. This differs from the other synoptic gospels where Jesus is portrayed as a Messiah who is going to usher in a new kingdom of God on Earth. It focuses more on the eternal aspects of Jesus before the existence of time and progresses to Jesus as a common man in a set time period. This is demonstrated in John 1:1-4 where the Word is described as being God but also as an extension of God who is set to fulfill another purpose besides creation. This purpose is to be a constant and continual force for good in order to save people from the darkness of the world. In this stanza readers learn that the Word is the one true light that is here to save mankind from evil. The author then identifies John in verses 6-9 as a man who serves as a precursor to Jesus’ message. This passage conveys the author’s view of Jesus as the divine light that will infiltrate the world.

This viewpoint continues in verses 10-12 where John explains how Jesus will enter the world unbeknownst to mankind. Jesus, being the divine and eternal light, exists at the beginning and end of all things. Therefore he knew exactly what the world would be like when he entered it because he existed before the world was established. As the author states, “the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him (John 1:10).” The author continues to distinguish Jesus as divine by informing readers that even though Jesus came into the world as a man much like any other, people still rejected him and his message.

The author of John further demonstrates that the Word is in reference to Jesus by stating that belief in the Word constitutes new life. Since the Word is reason, the author of the gospel of John outlines the importance of Jesus as the provider of eternal salvation. By following the progression of the Word within the stanzas of John, readers will come to the conclusion that Jesus is not a mere mortal but rather a divine and eternal being who existed before time and will continue to exist after life on earth. The author of John seeks to diminish the connection between Jesus and being a human. Instead the author consistently highlights the otherworldly aspects of Jesus, as one who will always be greater than mankind. This explains why the gospel of John does not include the human experiences of birth, childhood, and adulthood had by Jesus. The gospel of John is focused upon the light and divinity of Jesus as opposed to his very human and relatable experiences as a man. The author chooses to focus on the holiness of Jesus by providing readers with a philosophical view of Jesus as all at once the Word, the light, and the eternal.