UNROLL
The lamp-lit doorway of a Greek courtyard house at dusk, a few people seen from behind gathering inside around a low table with a rolled letter on it.

The Book of

1 John Intro

An eyewitness of Jesus writes so his children can be sure.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min5 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

Some have walked out, spreading lies about Jesus.

An eyewitness writes to the ones who stayed.

Walk in the light. Love one another.

Hold on to the Jesus who came in the flesh.

Then you can know you have eternal life.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

John

An eyewitness, by tradition the apostle John

  • The letter never names its writer, but he heard, saw and touched Jesus.1 John 1:1
  • From the 100s the church received it as the work of John son of Zebedee, who wrote the Gospel of John.Church tradition
  • Its words echo John’s Gospel. Some scholars think a close follower of John wrote it.Many scholars
  • Early writers place John in Ephesus in old age. Often dated about AD 85–95, for churches in Asia.Irenaeus, c. AD 180

How it’s built

Round and round, deeper each time

In the light1–2:27 · walk as JesuswalkedChildren of God2:28–4:6 · born of HimGod is love4:7–5:12 · He lovedus firstKnowing forsure5:13–21 · eternallife in the Son

Whiteboard

Not a straight line: John keeps coming back to light, love and the truth about Jesus.

Big themes

Three tests and a promise

Where it went

AsiaEphesus

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Ephesus and the province of Asia

The letter names no place. Early tradition puts John in Ephesus in his last years, caring for churches across Asia.

Meet the cast

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Watch for

so that you may know that you have eternal life

1 John 5:13

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Question

Quick question

John writes like a father to the people he cares for.

What does John call his readers again and again?

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