What John Knew and What John Wrote

Wendy E. S. North is a honorary research fellow in the department of theology and religion at the University of Durham.

North (Univ. of Durham, UK) provides a lively discussion of John’s relationship to the Synoptics. She argues that despite numerous differences, there are noteworthy similarities. North points out the narratives that John has in common with the Synoptic Gospels: for example, the call of the disciples (1:35–51), the healing of the official’s son (4:46–53), the feeding of the multitude, followed by a sea-crossing miracle (6:1–21), Peter’s confession (6:66–69), the entry into Jerusalem (12:12–15), the cleansing of the temple (2:13–22), the anointing at Bethany (12:1–8), the Last Supper, with a prophecy of betrayal (13:1–11), and the basic story of the passion. North notes that even though the evidence is not decisive, the author of John appears to have been familiar with certain traditions common to the Synoptic Gospels. John also may have been acquainted with the Gospel of Mark and possibly Luke, but if he was he did not follow them closely. Well argued and richly researched, this book forwards the discussion of John's possible use of the Synoptics. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty.

• 1. Introduction: What John Wrote2. John Repeats John3. John Repeats Scripture, and John and the Synoptics4. John and the Synoptics: Four Test Cases5. Conclusion: What John Knew and What John Wrote