Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 38:75 (Autumn 2025)
Article: Did They Really Believe? (John 2:23)
Author: Hershall Spradley

JOTGES 38:75 (Autumn 2025) p. 45

Did They Really Believe? (John 2:23)1

Hershall Spradley

I. A Comparison Of Key Theological Ideas In The Gospels Of Luke And John2

There are key theological differences between the Gospels of Luke and John. These differences arise, in part, because the books have different purposes and are intended for different audiences. It is rare for an author of Scripture to explicitly state the reason for his work. But John gives the purpose of his Gospel in John 20:30–31:

Many other signs Jesus also did in the sight of His disciples which are not written in this book. But these have been written in order that you would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you would have life in His name. (author’s translation)

Luke states his purpose in Luke 1:1–4:

Since many have undertaken to write a narrative concerning the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they who became the eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word handed them down to us, it seemed good also to me, having followed closely all things from the beginning accurately, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus, in order that you could know the full truth concerning the words that you were taught. (author’s translation)

From these purpose statements, we can make some observations. John’s audience is unbelievers. He writes to people who are outside the church. This is the only book in the Bible addressed to unbelievers.

JOTGES 38:75 (Autumn 2025) p. 46

Luke is addressed to insiders. He writes to those who have believed in Christ for eternal life and are a part of the church. The us in Luke’s purpose statement refers to the believing community. Theophilus is a believer. He has been instructed in Christian truth. Luke wants him to know the certainty of this truth—that it is firmly rooted in history.3 We could generalize the audience as being the broader believing community.

When we consider the purpose and audience of the two books, we can draw some conclusions. John writes to unbelievers, emphasizing the gift of eternal life offered by Jesus Christ to those who believe in Him.4 Luke writes to believers, highlighting what it means to follow Jesus as His disciple. John and Luke clearly teach the distinction between what we often refer to as salvation and ...