And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 KJV
About the Book of John
John reads very differently from the first three Gospels. Instead of many short parables, it offers seven signs and long conversations, with Jesus making 'I am' statements about himself: bread, light, shepherd, vine. It opens by describing Jesus as the Word who was with God before creation. The writer says he chose these accounts so readers might believe and have life. Lengthy final-night teaching and prayer form the book's second half.
- Testament: New Testament
- Genre: Gospel
- Chapters: 21
- Verses: 879
Who Wrote John, and When?
Author: Traditionally attributed to John the apostle, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'.
When it was written: Probably between about AD 80 and 100.
Main Themes in John
- Jesus as the eternal Word
- Belief and life
- Light against darkness
A Key Verse: John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
It is the Bible's plainest statement that God became human and lived among people.
Reading Tip
John is often recommended as a first book to read. Its famous verse 3:16 comes from a night-time talk with a curious Pharisee named Nicodemus. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in John, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
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Browse all 66 books on the Bible books page, or get a verse from the whole Bible with the main Bible verse randomizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in John?
John has 21 chapters and 879 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote John?
Author: Traditionally attributed to John the apostle, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'. When it was written: Probably between about AD 80 and 100.
What is John about?
John reads very differently from the first three Gospels. Instead of many short parables, it offers seven signs and long conversations, with Jesus making 'I am' statements about himself: bread, light, shepherd, vine. It opens by describing Jesus as the Word who was with God before creation. The writer says he chose these accounts so readers might believe and have life. Lengthy final-night teaching and prayer form the book's second half.
Can I get a random verse from only John?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from John only. Every one of its 879 verses has an equal chance.