John's gospel is extraordinarily profound and beautiful, but the relationship between it and the other three gospels is perhaps Christianity's greatest puzzle, as it has no parables, no exorcisms, no "Messianic secret", but instead long theological speeches, unparalleled "I am..." pronouncements, and constant visits to Jerusalem. It has therefore generated much scholarly controversy. We shall read the text in the King James translation, and I will tease out the meaning of this astonishing work. Recent scholarship has resumed the (previously-abandoned) early 20th century understanding of John's gospel as a meditation upon Mark, and to a lesser degree on Luke (whereby John seeks to bring out the deeper spiritual significance of these texts). There is today considerable scepticism about the idea that John made use of independent historical sources. This is the approach I will follow. I will also present the gospel in an Ancient Greek context.