Gospel of John

Most scholars agree the Gospel of John was written after AD 90, typically placing its composition between AD 90 and AD 110. As the last of the four canonical gospels, it was written decades after the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). [1, 2, 3]

Because this was the final gospel written, the author was able to reflect upon the earlier Christian writings, providing a distinct, more theological look at the divinity of Jesus Christ. [1, 2]

The Gospel of John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle (the son of Zebedee and one of Jesus's twelve disciples). However, the book itself is technically anonymous, and modern scholars are divided on whether John wrote the text directly, or if it was composed by his followers as a written record of his eyewitness testimony. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

The identity of the author and the book's origins involve a few key perspectives:

• Traditional View: Early church fathers like Irenaeus and Tertullian identified the author as the Apostle John. The text refers to its source as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," who reclined next to Jesus at the Last Supper. [1, 2, 3]
• Eyewitness Testimony: Chapter 21, verses 24-25, implies the book relies heavily on this beloved disciple's direct testimony, noting, "This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true." [1, 2, 3]
• Scholarly Views: Most modern scholars agree that the text embodies the eyewitness recollections of John. However, many suggest it was compiled, edited, and written by a circle of his followers (often called the "Johannine community") in and around Ephesus between A.D. 85 and 90. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Bible Project Overview

The Gospel of John was written between AD 90 and 100, which is approximately 60 to 70 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Scholarly perspectives on the timeline differ, with nuances based on historical analysis and faith traditions:

Scholarly Consensus: Critical commentaries and mainstream historians widely agree on a composition date near the close of the first century, usually localized in the city of Ephesus.

Alternative Views: Some Christian apologists and conservative scholars argue for a slightly earlier timeframe, between AD 60 and 70, suggesting it was composed before the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. 

According to the Wikipedia Gospel of John page, this later dating sets it apart from the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), which were mostly penned between AD 65 and 95.