In the introduction to John, the Maverick Gospel, Robert Kysar outlines the unique

relationship between the Gospel of John and the three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark,
and Luke. According to Kysar, the Gospel of John stands out as a "maverick" for its
theological depth, symbolic language, and distinct approach to Jesus' identity and mission.
Here’s an overview of the key points Kysar discusses in the introduction, along with
supporting Bible verses that illustrate John’s distinctive approach.
1. John’s Unique Theological Focus
 Presentation of Jesus as the Divine Word: Kysar highlights how John's Gospel
opens with a profound theological statement about Jesus' divine nature, introducing
him as the "Word" (Logos) who existed from the beginning. This differs significantly
from the Synoptic Gospels, which begin with Jesus’ human genealogy, birth
(Matthew, Luke), or his public ministry (Mark). John's Gospel positions Jesus not
merely as the Messiah or Son of David but as the eternal Word who was with God and
was God.
o John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God.”
 High Christology and Pre-Existence: Kysar notes that John's "high Christology"
emphasizes Jesus' divine origin and pre-existence, framing Jesus as a cosmic figure.
While the Synoptics reveal Jesus' divinity gradually through his actions and teachings,
John states it explicitly from the beginning.
o John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the
father, full of grace and truth.”
2. Distinct Literary Style and Symbolism
 Unique Language and Structure: Kysar explains that John’s Gospel is characterized
by its use of symbolic language and extended discourses. Unlike the Synoptics, which
often use parables, John uses lengthy dialogues and metaphors to convey spiritual
truths. For example, in the "I am" statements (e.g., "I am the Bread of Life" in John
6:35), John portrays Jesus using metaphors that directly connect him with God’s
divine name, YHWH (“I AM”), from Exodus 3:14.
o John 6:35: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to
me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”
o John 8:12: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of
the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the
light of life.’”
 Miracles as Signs: John refers to Jesus' miracles as "signs" rather than simple acts of
power or compassion, as often seen in the Synoptics. Each sign in John reveals
something about Jesus' identity and purpose, making the miracles themselves part of
the Gospel’s theological message.
 o John 2:11: “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs
through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
3. Different Chronology and Key Events
 Distinct Timing of Events: Kysar points out that John’s Gospel follows a different
timeline compared to the Synoptics. In John, Jesus makes multiple trips to Jerusalem
during his ministry (John 2:13, 5:1, 7:10), whereas the Synoptics depict a single
climactic journey. Additionally, John positions Jesus' crucifixion on the day of
Preparation for the Passover, aligning with his portrayal as the “Lamb of God,” while
the Synoptics suggest that Jesus was crucified after sharing the Passover meal with his
disciples.
o John 19:14: “Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about
noon. ‘Here is your king,’ Pilate said to the Jews.”
o John 1:29: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”
4. Jesus’ Explicit Claims to Divinity
 Direct Self-Identification: Kysar notes that, unlike the Synoptics, John includes
multiple instances where Jesus openly declares his divine identity. In particular, the “I
am” statements connect Jesus directly with the divine name, affirming his unity with
God. For instance, in John 8:58, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” This
differs from the Synoptics, where Jesus is often more reserved about his identity, even
instructing his disciples to keep it a secret (as in Mark 8:29-30).
o John 8:58: “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was
born, I am!”
5. Purpose of John’s Gospel
 Emphasis on Faith and Eternal Life: According to Kysar, John’s Gospel has an
explicitly stated purpose: to inspire faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, with
the promise of eternal life for believers. This purpose is outlined in the Gospel’s
conclusion, clarifying John’s focus on fostering a transformative belief in Jesus’
divine identity.
o John 20:31: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his
name.”
 Eternal Life as a Present Reality: John emphasizes that eternal life is not just a
future promise but a present reality for believers, a theme that is less explicit in the
Synoptics. In John, those who believe in Jesus “have eternal life” now, signifying an
immediate, transformative union with God.
o John 5:24: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him
who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from
death to life.”
In summary, Kysar’s introduction in John, the Maverick Gospel shows that the Gospel of
John complements the Synoptics by offering a distinct, theologically rich perspective on
Jesus. Through its emphasis on Jesus as the divine Word, its symbolic language, unique
timeline, and explicit declarations of divinity, John’s Gospel aims to inspire faith and convey
the immediacy of eternal life through belief in Jesus. These unique aspects highlight John's
role as a "maverick" among the Gospels.

In John, the Maverick Gospel, Robert Kysar details the significant differences and subtle
similarities between John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke),
especially focusing on how John's theological and literary approach sets it apart. Here's a
summary of Kysar’s insights with specific examples and Bible verses to illustrate these
points:
Key Differences
1. Prologue and Christ’s Divinity:
o John's Approach: John’s Gospel opens with a theological statement about
Jesus as the pre-existent Word: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This introduction highlights
Jesus’ divinity and eternal nature right from the start.
o Synoptics’ Approach: The Synoptic Gospels introduce Jesus more
historically. Matthew and Luke start with the genealogy and birth of Jesus, and
Mark begins with the ministry of John the Baptist. They establish Jesus’
human lineage and prophetic fulfillment without the direct divine declaration
seen in John.
2. Miracles as “Signs”:
o John's Focus: John selectively records seven miracles (or “signs”), each with
deep theological meaning to demonstrate Jesus' divine authority. For instance,
the miracle of turning water into wine at Cana (John 2:1-11) symbolizes the
joy and abundance of the New Covenant.
o Synoptics’ Approach: The Synoptics record many more miracles and
generally describe them as acts of compassion, without the specific "sign"
symbolism. For example, the healing of the blind and the lame often shows
Jesus' compassion and power over physical ailments (Mark 10:46-52, Luke
7:22).
3. The “I Am” Statements:
o John's Emphasis: John uniquely includes seven “I Am” statements, such as “I
am the bread of life” (John 6:35) and “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11),
directly tying Jesus to God’s divine name in Exodus 3:14. These statements
emphasize Jesus’ divinity and role as the life-giving, guiding presence.
o Absence in Synoptics: The Synoptics lack these direct claims. Instead, they
present Jesus as a teacher and prophet who performs miracles, leaving the
 recognition of his divine identity more implicit and building on the disciples'
growing understanding (e.g., Peter’s confession in Mark 8:29).
4. Chronology and Events:
o John’s Structure: John presents a unique timeline, with Jesus visiting
Jerusalem multiple times for Jewish festivals. The cleansing of the temple
occurs at the beginning of Jesus' ministry (John 2:13-22), contrasting with the
Synoptics, which place it near the end of his ministry as part of the Passion
Week.
o Synoptics’ Chronology: The Synoptics describe a single journey to Jerusalem
toward the end of Jesus’ ministry, placing many teachings and events in a
cohesive journey (Luke 9:51). This difference in structure reflects John’s
theological intent, associating Jesus with Jewish festivals to convey
theological meanings (e.g., Jesus as the Passover Lamb in John 19:36).
5. Lack of Parables:
o John’s Focus on Discourses: John does not include parables but features
lengthy discourses, like Jesus’ conversations with Nicodemus (John 3) and the
Samaritan woman (John 4), which are absent in the Synoptics. These
conversations delve deeply into theological themes like rebirth and true
worship.
o Parables in the Synoptics: The Synoptics, in contrast, are rich with parables
that Jesus uses to teach moral and spiritual lessons (e.g., the Parable of the
Sower in Mark 4:1-20, Matthew 13:1-23, and Luke 8:4-15). Parables were a
central teaching method for Jesus in these Gospels.
Key Similarities
Despite the differences, John and the Synoptics share several core themes:
1. Jesus’ Divine Role: All four Gospels affirm Jesus’ divine mission and identity, though
John emphasizes it more directly. For instance, both John and Matthew mention Jesus
as the fulfillment of God’s promise to humanity (Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:14).
2. The Passion Narrative: John and the Synoptics converge significantly in the
accounts of Jesus' trial, crucifixion, and resurrection, affirming the core of Christian
belief in Jesus' sacrifice and victory over death (John 18-20; Mark 14-16).
3. The Resurrection: While the details vary, all Gospels recount Jesus’ resurrection,
providing multiple perspectives on the same miraculous event (e.g., John 20 and Luke
24).
Kysar’s exploration in John, the Maverick Gospel suggests that these similarities ground John
within the Christian message, while its differences highlight a distinct theological perspective
meant to complement rather than contradict the Synoptics, offering a fuller, more nuanced
understanding of Jesus’ nature and mission.
1. The Theological Background of "I Am" Sayings
In John, the Maverick Gospel, Kysar highlights the “I Am” statements in John as
foundational to its high Christology, meaning they reveal a direct association between Jesus
and God. The phrase "I Am" recalls God’s self-identification in the Old Testament, where in
Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses, "I Am Who I Am." John’s Gospel uniquely applies this
divine title to Jesus, establishing His identity as one with God and elevating His role beyond
a prophetic figure.
2. Key "I Am" Sayings in John and Their Meanings
 "I Am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35)
This statement connects Jesus to the sustenance of life, symbolizing spiritual
nourishment and salvation. Kysar interprets this as Jesus offering Himself as the
source of eternal sustenance, a role that only a divine being could fulfill. Unlike the
bread given in the wilderness (manna), Jesus provides sustenance that leads to eternal
life.
 "I Am the Light of the World" (John 8:12)
Here, Jesus claims to be the illumination in a world of darkness, revealing the truth
and the path to salvation. Kysar notes that light in John represents God’s truth and
guidance, making this statement a direct claim to divine authority. It parallels God’s
role as a guiding light for Israel in the wilderness, positioning Jesus as the divine
revealer of truth.
 "I Am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11)
Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” shows His care and willingness to sacrifice Himself for
His followers, symbolizing His protective and sacrificial love. According to Kysar,
this shepherd imagery connects Jesus to the divine role of protector found in Psalm
23, aligning Him with God’s tender care for His people.
 "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25)
This statement occurs just before Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, highlighting His
power over life and death. Kysar explains that it signifies not only Jesus’ authority
over physical death but also His divine nature as the source of both earthly and eternal
life.
 "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6)
Here, Jesus proclaims Himself as the exclusive path to God the Father. Kysar
interprets this as a direct assertion of Jesus’ divinity since it implies that only through
Jesus can one know God fully. This emphasizes John's unique Christology, where
Jesus is the embodiment of truth and the divine revelation.
 "I Am the True Vine" (John 15:1)
The vine imagery portrays Jesus as the essential source of life for His followers, who
must remain connected to Him. Kysar sees this as symbolizing the believer’s
dependence on Jesus for spiritual vitality, reinforcing the message of union with God
through Jesus.
3. Implications of the "I Am" Statements for John’s Christology
Kysar highlights how these statements position Jesus as more than a teacher or prophet—they
identify Him with Yahweh and emphasize His divine authority, power, and unique role as
God incarnate. This association would have been profound for a first-century Jewish audience
familiar with Old Testament imagery, as these statements are not simply metaphors but
assertions of Jesus’ divine status.
4. The Final "I Am" Declaration: "Before Abraham Was, I Am" (John 8:58)
Perhaps the clearest statement of Jesus' divinity, this declaration directly echoes the divine
name revealed to Moses. Kysar argues that this statement firmly establishes Jesus’
preexistence and identity as Yahweh, leading to an intense reaction from the audience (they
attempt to stone Him for blasphemy), which reflects the magnitude of His claim to divine
identity.

1. The "Son of Man" as a Paradox of Humility and Glory

Kysar emphasizes that the "Son of Man" title in John uniquely combines both the humanity
and divinity of Jesus. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, which often refer to the "Son of Man" in
the context of suffering or humility (Mark 8:31), John elevates this title to encompass Jesus’
divine origin and mission. For instance:
 John 3:13-15: "No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from
heaven, the Son of Man." Kysar points out that this verse highlights the divine origin
of Jesus, as the "Son of Man" comes down from heaven, connecting His role to both
humanity and the divine sphere.
 John 12:23: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." This statement
ties Jesus’ imminent suffering to His exaltation, underscoring the paradox of
glorification through crucifixion. Kysar interprets this as John’s distinct portrayal of
the "Son of Man" as one who triumphs through self-sacrifice, rather than simply
through earthly power or honor.
By using the "Son of Man" title in these ways, Kysar notes that John’s Gospel stresses a
paradoxical glory that is found in Jesus' humility and sacrificial role, setting John’s
Christology apart from the Synoptics.
2. The Father-Son Relationship as Divine Unity
The Father-Son relationship is central to John’s Gospel and is treated with unique depth.
Kysar emphasizes that John portrays Jesus as having an intimate, mutual relationship with
God the Father that transcends a simple filial bond, highlighting a divine unity:
 John 10:30: "I and the Father are one." According to Kysar, this verse demonstrates
the unity of essence between the Father and Son, pointing to a profound theological
assertion that the Son fully shares in the identity and mission of the Father. This
understanding of unity suggests a shared divinity rather than a traditional, subordinate
relationship.
  John 14:9-11: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." This verse highlights the
concept of mutual indwelling—the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father.
Kysar explains that this unique relationship establishes Jesus as the perfect revelation
of God, suggesting that to know Jesus is to know God directly, reinforcing the theme
of divine intimacy.
Kysar suggests that this relationship is foundational to John’s theology, where Jesus is
presented as the tangible, incarnate revelation of the Father, and to have faith in Jesus is to
enter into this divine relationship.
3. Implications for Belief and Salvation
The Father-Son dynamic in John’s Gospel goes beyond personal relationship; it also serves as
the basis for salvation. Kysar notes that John emphasizes belief in Jesus as essential to eternal
life, framing Jesus’ role as the Son of God as the path to divine life:
 John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Kysar interprets this as a
testament to the sacrificial nature of the Father-Son relationship in God’s plan for
humanity’s redemption, highlighting divine love and Jesus’ role as the Son who brings
life through belief.
 John 17:21-23: Jesus prays for His followers to "be one" as He and the Father are
one, a profound call to unity that reflects divine oneness and the transformative power
of entering into the Father-Son relationship. Kysar suggests that this unity with the
Father and Son invites believers into a covenantal relationship with God.
4. Summary: The Unique Christology of John’s Gospel
Kysar’s analysis shows that John's portrayal of Jesus as both the "Son of Man" and the Son in
a divine Father-Son relationship sets the Gospel apart in its high Christology. This
relationship emphasizes Jesus as the unique mediator of divine life, making John’s
theological perspective distinct and central for understanding its message of faith and
salvation