Which Books Did John Write in the Bible?
Quick Summary
Traditionally, John is credited with writing five books in the New Testament: the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and the Book of Revelation. These writings span gospel narrative, personal letters, and vivid apocalyptic visions. While authorship debates exist—especially regarding Revelation—these five books have long been associated with John the Apostle or the Johannine community.
Introduction: One Voice, Five Books?
John’s voice is one of the most distinctive in the New Testament. His writings are poetic, theological, and deeply concerned with love, truth, and the identity of Jesus. But when we ask, “Which books did John write?” we step into a mix of tradition, church history, and scholarly discussion.
Let’s walk through the five books traditionally attributed to John, consider what connects them, and explore why they continue to matter for Christians today.
The Five Books Attributed to John
1. The Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is the fourth and final gospel in the New Testament. It differs markedly from Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic Gospels) in tone, structure, and content. John’s gospel focuses less on parables and more on long discourses, signs, and the divinity of Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, NRSV)
This gospel contains seven "I Am" statements and seven signs (miracles) that reveal Jesus’s identity. The author never refers to himself by name but uses the phrase “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”
For a deep dive, visit John Chapter 1 – Summary and Outline
2. 1 John
This letter reads more like a sermon or theological essay than a traditional epistle. It emphasizes the themes of light vs. darkness, love, sin, and assurance of salvation.
“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God.” (1 John 4:7, NRSV)
It was likely written to churches dealing with false teachings about Jesus’s nature—possibly early forms of Gnosticism.
3. 2 John
This brief letter is addressed to “the elect lady and her children”—likely a metaphor for a local church and its members. The author warns against welcoming false teachers and emphasizes abiding in truth and love.
“Anyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God.” (2 John 1:9, NRSV)
4. 3 John
Even shorter than 2 John, this letter is addressed to a man named Gaius. It encourages hospitality and warns against a divisive church leader named Diotrephes.
These two short letters remind us that early churches were deeply relational—and that practical concerns like truth, hospitality, and leadership mattered.
5. Revelation
The final book of the New Testament, Revelation is filled with vivid visions, cosmic battles, and symbolic language. It opens:
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.” (Revelation 1:1, NRSV)
The author names himself as “John” multiple times (Revelation 1:1, 1:4, 1:9), writing from the island of Patmos. While early church tradition often connected this John with the apostle, many modern scholars believe the author was a different John, sometimes called “John the Revelator.”
For more, see What Was the Last Book of the Bible Written?
Are All Five Books Written by the Same John?
Traditional View:
All five books were written by John the Apostle, one of Jesus’s original twelve disciples, later exiled to Patmos. This view has strong support in early church tradition, particularly from church fathers like Irenaeus and Tertullian.
Scholarly View:
Modern scholarship tends to divide the authorship:
The Gospel of John and the letters are often seen as products of the Johannine community—a group shaped by the person and theology of the apostle John.
Revelation is usually attributed to a different John, based on Greek style, vocabulary, and theological emphasis.
Still, all five writings share a high Christology, strong symbolic language, and a focus on love, obedience, and witness.
“Though their styles differ, the writings attributed to John are united by a deep concern for the identity of Jesus and the call to faithful discipleship.” — Bruce M. Metzger, The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content, p. 216
Meaning for Today: Why John's Writings Still Matter
John’s books give us some of the Bible’s most memorable lines:
“The Word became flesh…” (John 1:14)
“God is love…” (1 John 4:8)
“I am the resurrection and the life…” (John 11:25)
“Behold, I am making all things new…” (Revelation 21:5)
These writings:
Proclaim the full divinity and humanity of Christ
Invite the church to remain in love and truth
Challenge believers to endure in hope, even in hardship
Whether from one pen or many, these five books form a powerful and coherent witness to Jesus Christ.
FAQ
Which books of the Bible did John write?
Traditionally: the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.
Are all these books written by the same person?
Tradition says yes (John the Apostle), but many scholars think Revelation may have a different author named John.
Why do these books matter?
They focus on Jesus’s identity, love, truth, community, and the church’s hope in a coming kingdom.
Where can I read more about the Gospel of John?
Visit The Gospel of John Series
