Symbolism
Jesus uses this everyday source of illumination as a symbol for his role in guiding people out of spiritual darkness.
What is light
this high priest argues that it is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish—ironically predicting Jesus’ sacrificial death.
Who is Caiphas
Jesus uses this image to describe himself as the one who guides people out of darkness.
What is the light of the world?
The poetic opening of John begins with this famous phrase that echoes the beginning of Genesis.
What is “in the beginning”?
In John 3, this Pharisee thinks Jesus is talking about physically entering his mother’s womb again when he hears about being “born again.”
Who is Nicodemus?
In John 6, Jesus calls himself the “bread of life,” symbolizing spiritual nourishment that lasts longer than this physical food God provided Israel in the wilderness.
What is manna
In John 9, after healing a blind man, Jesus exposes the irony that these religious leaders claim to see spiritually but are actually blind.
Who are the Pharisees
In John 6, after feeding the 5,000, Jesus calls himself this essential food that gives eternal life.
What is the bread of life?
In the poetic prologue of John, the contrast between these two opposing images is used repeatedly to describe Jesus and the world’s response to him.
What are light and darkness?
In John 4, this woman initially thinks Jesus is talking about literal water when he offers her “living water.”
Who is the Samaritan woman at the well?
Jesus turning water into wine symbolizes the arrival of this new era of divine blessing and transformation
What is the new covenant
During Jesus’ trial in John 18–19, this Roman governor repeatedly says he finds no guilt in Jesus yet still orders him to be crucified.
Who is Pontius Pilate
In John 10, Jesus uses this rural image, saying he is the one who protects and leads the sheep.
What is the good shepherd?
John 1 poetically says, “The Word became this and dwelt among us,” describing Jesus taking on human nature.
What is flesh?
John 2, after Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it in three days,” the Jewish leaders misunderstand and think he is referring to this building.
What is the temple of Jerusalem?
In John 10, Jesus describes himself as both the shepherd and this entryway that the sheep must pass through to find safety and life.
What is the door
Roman soldiers mock Jesus by dressing him in a robe and crown of thorns and calling him this title—ironically stating what John’s Gospel presents as true.
What is the King of the Jews
In John 15, Jesus says his followers are branches connected to him, using this plant image to describe spiritual dependence.
What is the true vine?
In John’s prologue, Jesus is described as coming from the Father “full of” these two qualities often paired together in poetic Hebrew-style expression.
What are grace and truth?
In John 11, when Jesus says Lazarus has “fallen asleep,” the disciples misunderstand and think Jesus means this ordinary activity.
What is napping?
In John 15, Jesus says “I am the true vine,” while his followers are these parts of the plant that must remain connected to produce fruit.
What are branches
In John 11:49–52, the narrator explains that Caiaphas’ statement about Jesus dying for the nation ironically also meant Jesus would die for these people scattered beyond Israel.
Who are the Gentiles
In John 4, while speaking with the Samaritan woman, Jesus describes the life he gives using this flowing image that becomes “a spring…welling up to eternal life.”
What is living water?
John 1:1–18 presents Jesus using this title repeatedly in poetic, rhythmic lines: “In the beginning was the ___, and the ___ was with God.”
What is the Word?
In John 7:33–36, when Jesus says he is going where his listeners cannot find him, the Jewish leaders misunderstand and wonder if he plans to go teach among these people living outside Israel.
Who are the Greeks?