All the themes of the Fourth Gospel are presented in the person of Jesus. The Christian message is not presented as a philosophy, a code of law or ethics, a doctrine, a catechism: it appears in the person of Jesus and in the impact of his presence on others. It was the author’s purpose to transmit that presence and that impact to following generations.

In accord with his purpose John portrays a Jesus of incomparable unity and simplicity of character. At every moment, in every act, in every circumstance, he was always himself: the one “sent from the Father,” the “missionary” who is never more nor less than a missionary, he who unites the Father and the world not as a bridge joins two fixed points, but by means of a movement, a passage, a communication between living beings.

– Jose Comblin in “Sent From the Father: Meditations on the Fourth Gospel”