Geography in the Gospel of John
John organizes his gospel differently than the other three gospels.
Matthew, Mark and Luke use a two-part structure. The first half of each of the three synoptic gospels is set in Galilee and its surrounding regions.
Toward the end of his Galilean ministry, each of the three gospels has the same dramatic turning point. Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is. His disciple Peter answers, “You are the Christ.” After this event, Jesus begins teaching them he must go to Jerusalem, be executed and rise again.
The second half of each of the synoptic gospels is about Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, culminating with his triumphal entry, his execution and resurrection.
As John portrays the story, Jesus visits Jerusalem several times, usually for one of the feasts. Each time he visits Jerusalem, he stirs up trouble. Then he leaves, only to return and cause more trouble.
Further Study: 01 Gospel of John Introduction
Geography in the Gospel of John Year 1
Judea (John 1:1-42)
- Joh 1:28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Galilee (John 1:43-2:12)
- Joh 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
- Joh 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
Judea (John 2:13-3:36)
- Joh 2:13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand , and Jesus went up to Jersualem.
- Joh 3:22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.
Samaria (John 4:1-42)
- Joh 4:3-4 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria.
Galilee (John 4:43-54)
- Joh 4:43 After the two days he departed for Galilee.
- Joh 4:46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill.
Geography in the Gospel of John Year 2
Judea (John 5:1-47)
- Joh 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Galilee (John 6:1-7:9)
- Joh 6:1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
- Joh 7:1-2 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.
Judea (John 7:10-10:21)
- Joh 7:9-10 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.
Galilee (between John 10:21-22)
Judea (John 10:22-39)
- Joh 10:22 At that time the Feat of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,
Perea (John 10:40-11:16)
- Joh 10:40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.
Geography in the Gospel of John Year 3
Judea (John 11:17-20:31)
- Joh 11:17:18 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,
- Joh 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
- Joh 12:12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
Galilee (John 21:1-25)
- Joh 21:1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias
Maps
Jesus’ Early Ministry – Bible-history.com
Jesus in Galilee – Bible-history.com
