This page in brief ….
Are the four New Testament gospels accurate as history? In particular, how reliable is John’s gospel?
Archeologists have investigated 20 geographic references in John to test whether the author was really familiar with Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. It turns out that most ofthe references are accurate, some of them surprisingly so.
Check out all 20 references, on this page.
Introduction to John’s gospel
John’s gospel claims to be based on the account of an eyewitness to many of the events in the life of Jesus – John, son of Zebedee, a Galilean fisherman who was a close follower of Jesus. It appears to have been edited or assembled by someone else (see John 21:24), so it is impossible to say who should be regarded as the actual author.
It is often regarded as the last New Testament book to be written (about 95 CE) and for much of the twentieth century, historical scholars tended to be sceptical about whether it was written from eyewitness accounts, and even whether it was historical at all, having been written so long after the events it describes.
Archaeological discoveries
In “Archaeology and John’s Gospel” (a paper in Jesus and Archaeology (2006), edited by James Charlesworth), Prof Urban von Walde reports on archaeological investigation of 20 geographical locations in and near Jerusalem with details mentioned in John’s gospel, but nowhere else in the New Testament. von Walde compares the information in John with what archaeology has now discovered.
It turns out, perhaps surprising to some, that John got a lot of details right, even some which had changed or been lost long before the gospel is believed to have been written. Here is a summary of his conclusions.
| Reference | Location | Description | Archaeology | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John 1:28, 10:40 | Bethany beyond Jordan | A location where John the Baptist (a different John) was baptising. | Several possible locations identified but no certainty. | Uncertain. |
| John 1:44 | Bethsaida | Hometown of three of Jesus’ disciples, close to Lake Galilee. Suggestion of Greek-speaking population. | Town location probably identified, mostly fitting brief information in John. | General confirmation of John, but not entirely certain. |
| John 2:1-11, 4:46-54 | Cana in Galilee | Home to one of Jesus’ followers, Jesus visited Cana several times, and used large stone water jars to create wine for a wedding. | A site at Khirbet Qana is now believed to be the location of Biblical Cana. Coincidentally (?) the remains of large stone water jars have been found there. | General confirmation of John. |
| John 2:12, 4:46, 6:17-59 | Capernaum | Jesus and is disciples visited Capernaum several times. It is a fishing port, and John mentions a synagogue apparently close to the port, and infers there is a Roman military camp nearby. | The features mentioned briefly by John have all been confirmed, or suggested, by archaeology. | It seems clear that John was indeed familiar with Capernaum. |
| John 2:13-16 | The temple | John records Jesus as reacting to money-changers and selling of sacrificial animals in the temple area. | John correctly records the names of the various areas in the temple complex, and John seems to have had a good understanding of the temple and its regulations. | The archaeology seems to support that John was familiar with the temple, despite it all being destroyed two decades before he wrote. |
| John 3:23 | Aenon near Salim | This is another location where John was baptising. | Several possible locations have been proposed, but none is certain. | No conclusions can be drawn from this reference. |
| John 4:4-6 | Sychar | John records Jesus as passing by a town named Sychar in Samaria, located near the historic Jacob’s well. | Two possible towns have been identified, with one favoured, but this is uncertain. | Little can be drawn from this reference. |
| John 4:6 | Jacob’s well | Jacob’s well is described as being both a “running spring” and a dug well, and Jesus stops at it on a trip through Samaria. | The location of Jacob’s well is known, and it was located on the main north-south road through Samaria in the first century. It is indeed both a dug well and a running spring. | It seems clear that John was indeed familiar with Jacob’s well. |
| John 4:20 | Mount Gerazim | In a discussion with Jesus at Jacob’s well, a Samaritan women mentions nearby Mount Gerazim as a place of worship for Samaritans. | It is clear the mountain was used for worship. | Little can be drawn from this reference. |
| John 5:2 | The Sheep Gate | The Pool of Bethesda (see next item) is described as being near the, relatively little-known, Sheep Gate in the walls of Jerusalem. | The gate is known to have existed in the northwest corner of the old city. | John’s reference is accurate, but unremarkable in itself. |
| John 5:2 | Pool of Bethesda | John describes a pool near the Sheep Gate with five colonnades or porticos (a line of columns supporting a roof-like structure). For a long time the pool was unknown and the arrangement of five porticos hard to imagine. | The pool has been found near the Sheep Gate, and it has two sections, with colonnades around each of the four sides and a fifth separating the two sections. | John’s gospel has proven to be remarkably accurate. |
| John 6:1, 23, 21:1 | Tiberias | The city Tiberias, and the alternate name of the sea of Galiliee as the Sea of Tiberias are both mentioned by John. | The city still exists and first century remains have been found. | John’s reference is historic but not remarkable. |
| John 9:1-9 | Pool of Siloam | John records Jesus tell a blind man to wash in this pool as part of his healing. | A site believed to be this pool has been known for some time, but recent excavations have revealed a second pool nearby, which seems to better fit the description in John. | John’s reference is historically accurate. |
| John 11:1-17, 12:1-11 | Bethany near Jerusalem | John records that Jesus visited friends at Bethany several times, and notes the distance from Bethany to Jerusalem. | It is generally agreed that a present day village, el-Azariyeh, is the location of Bethany, and it is indeed located as John records. | John’s location is accurate. |
| John 11:54 | Ephraim | Under threat from the Jewish religious authorities, Jesus withdraws for a time to a town named Ephraim. | Ephraim is believed to be the modern village of et-Taiyibeh. | John’s reference is historic but not remarkable. |
| John 18:1 | Kidron Brook | Kidron brook runs in a valley close to Jerusalem. John uses a word, often translated as “brook”, which actually means an ephemeral stream or wadi which is dry most of the time but a torrent after winter rainfall. | The Kidron is a well-known feature and John is correct that it is winter-flowing. | John’s description is accurate. |
| John 18:28, 33, 19:9 | The Praetorium | After his arrest, Jesus was taken to the Praetorium, official residence of the Roman prefect. | The location of the Praetorium, in the northwest corner of Jerusalem, is now known. | John’s reference is accurate but not remarkable. |
| John 19:13 | The stone pavement | The stone pavement (Lithostrotos in Greek), also known as Gabbatha (raised place in Aramaic) was located outside the Praetorium, and was the place where Pilate made his judgments. | The stone pavement remained undiscovered for many years, but archaeologists believe they may have now found it – not a stone-paved area, but a raised (and therefore bare) surface of natural rock | It seems that John’s description may be accurate. |
| John 19:17-41 | Golgotha | John records that Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, the place of the skull, which was located “near the city”, i.e. just outside the city walls. | Golgotha has been identified as an 800 year old quarry with a rocky hillock which had a skull-like appearnace. It was outside the city walls at the time of Jesus’ death, but a decade later the wall was extended so that Golgotha was incorporated into the city. | John’s description is thus accurate, even though the situation changed ten years later, indicating an eyewitness source. |
| John 19:41-42 | A tomb in the garden | John records that there was a garden close to Golgotha, in which an unused tomb had been carved into the rock. | Many tombs have been cut into the rock surrounding the old quarry, and many of these date to the time of Jesus’ death. The “Garden Gate” is nearby, suggesting there was indeed a garden in that vicinity. | John has mentioned a number of details that show he well understood the geography of that part of Jerusalem. |
Bible reference: John 1:28, 10:40
Location: Bethany beyond Jordan
Description: A location where John the Baptist (a different John) was baptising.
Archaeology: Several possible locations identified but no certainty.
Significance: Uncertain.
Bible reference: John 1:44
Location: Bethsaida
Description: Hometown of three of Jesus’ disciples, close to Lake Galilee. Suggestion of Greek-speaking population.
Archaeology: Town location probably identified, mostly fitting brief information in John.
Significance:General confirmation of John, but not entirely certain.
Bible reference: John 2:1-11, 4:46-54
Location: Cana in Galilee
Description: Home to one of Jesus’ followers, Jesus visited Cana several times, and used large stone water jars to create wine for a wedding.
Archaeology: A site at Khirbet Qana is now believed to be the location of Biblical Cana. Coincidentally (?) the remains of large stone water jars have been found there.
Significance: General confirmation of John.
Bible reference: John 2:12, 4:46, 6:17-59
Location: Capernaum
Description: Jesus and is disciples visited Capernaum several times. It is a fishing port, and John mentions a synagogue apparently close to the port, and infers there is a Roman military camp nearby.
Archaeology: The features mentioned briefly by John have all been confirmed, or suggested, by archaeology.
Significance: It seems clear that John was indeed familiar with Capernaum.
Bible reference: John 2:13-16
Location: The temple
Description: John records Jesus as reacting to money-changers and selling of sacrificial animals in the temple area.
Archaeology: John correctly records the names of the various areas in the temple complex, and John seems to have had a good understanding of the temple and its regulations.
Significance: The archaeology seems to support that John was familiar with the temple, despite it all being destroyed two decades before he wrote
Bible reference: John 3:23
Location: Aenon near Salim
Description: This is another location where John was baptising.
Archaeology: Several possible locations have been proposed, but none is certain.
Significance: No conclusions can be drawn from this reference.
Bible reference: John 4:4-6
Location: Sychar
Description: John records Jesus as passing by a town named Sychar in Samaria, located near the historic Jacob’s well.
Archaeology: Two possible towns have been identified, with one favoured, but this is uncertain.
Significance: Little can be drawn from this reference.
Bible reference: John 4:6
Location: Jacob’s well
Description: Jacob’s well is described as being both a “running spring” and a dug well, and Jesus stops at it on a trip through Samaria.
Archaeology: The location of Jacob’s well is known, and it was located on the main north-south road through Samaria in the first century. It is indeed both a dug well and a running spring.
Significance: It seems clear that John was indeed familiar with Jacob’s well.
Bible reference: John 4:20
Location: Mount Gerazim
Description: In a discussion with Jesus at Jacob’s well, a Samaritan women mentions nearby Mount Gerazim as a place of worship for Samaritans.
Archaeology: It is clear the mountain was used for worship.
Significance: Little can be drawn from this reference.
Bible reference: John 5:2
Location: The Sheep Gate
Description: The Pool of Bethesda (see next item) is described as being near the, relatively little-known, Sheep Gate in the walls of Jerusalem.
Archaeology: The gate is known to have existed in the northwest corner of the old city.
Significance: John’s reference is accurate, but unremarkable in itself.
Bible reference: John 5:2
Location: Pool of Bethesda
Description: John describes a pool near the Sheep Gate with five colonnades or porticos (a line of columns supporting a roof-like structure). For a long time the pool was unknown and the arrangement of five porticos hard to imagine.
Archaeology: The pool has been found near the Sheep Gate, and it has two sections, with colonnades around each of the four sides and a fifth separating the two sections.
Significance: John’s gospel has proven to be remarkably accurate.
Bible reference: John 6:1, 23, 21:1
Location: Tiberias
Description: The city Tiberias, and the alternate name of the sea of Galiliee as the Sea of Tiberias are both mentioned by John.
Archaeology: The city still exists and first century remains have been found.
Significance: John’s reference is historic but not remarkable.
Bible reference: John 9:1-9
Location: Pool of Siloam
Description: John records Jesus tell a blind man to wash in this pool as part of his healing.
Archaeology: A site believed to be this pool has been known for some time, but recent excavations have revealed a second pool nearby, which seems to better fit the description in John.
Significance: John’s reference is historically accurate.
Bible reference: John 11:1-17, 12:1-11
Location: Bethany near Jerusalem
Description: John records that Jesus visited friends at Bethany several times, and notes the distance from Bethany to Jerusalem.
Archaeology: It is generally agreed that a present day village, el-Azariyeh, is the location of Bethany, and it is indeed located as John records.
Significance: John’s location is accurate.
Bible reference: John 11:54
Location: Ephraim
Description: Under threat from the Jewish religious authorities, Jesus withdraws for a time to a town named Ephraim.
Archaeology: Ephraim is believed to be the modern village of et-Taiyibeh.
Significance: John’s reference is historic but not remarkable.
Bible reference: John 18:1
Location: Kidron Brook
Description: Kidron Brook runs in a valley close to Jerusalem. John uses a word, often translated as “brook”, which actually means an ephemeral stream or wadi which is dry most of the time but a torrent after winter rainfall.
Archaeology: The Kidron is a well-known feature and John is correct that it is winter-flowing.
Significance: John’s description is accurate.
Bible reference: John 18:28, 33, 19:9
Location: The Praetorium
Description: After his arrest, Jesus was taken to the Praetorium, official residence of the Roman prefect.
Archaeology: The location of the Praetorium, in the northwest corner of Jerusalem, is now known.
Significance: John’s reference is accurate but not remarkable.
Bible reference: John 19:13
Location: The stone pavement
Description: The stone pavement (Lithostrotos in Greek), also known as Gabbatha (raised place in Aramaic) was located outside the Praetorium, and was the place where Pilate made his judgments.
Archaeology: The stone pavement remained undiscovered for many years, but archaeologists believe they may have now found it – not a stone-paved area, but a raised (and therefore bare) surface of natural rock.
Significance: It seems that John’s description may be accurate.
Bible reference: John 19:17-41
Location: Golgotha
Description: John records that Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, the place of the skull, which was located “near the city”, i.e. just outside the city walls.
Archaeology: Golgotha has been identified as an 800 year old quarry with a rocky hillock which had a skull-like appearnace. It was outside the city walls at the time of Jesus’ death, but a decade later the wall was extended so that Golgotha was incorporated into the city.
Significance: John’s description is thus accurate, even though the situation changed ten years later, indicating an eyewitness source.
Bible reference: John 19:41-42
Location: A tomb in the garden
Description: John records that there was a garden close to Golgotha, in which an unused tomb had been carved into the rock.
Archaeology: Many tombs have been cut into the rock surrounding the old quarry, and many of these date to the time of Jesus’ death. The “Garden Gate” is nearby, suggesting there was indeed a garden in that vicinity.
Significance: John has mentioned a number of details that show he well understood the geography of that part of Jerusalem.
Summary
According to von Walde, John’s gospel has given accurate information for 16 of the 20 sites examined, 2 appear likely to be correct and 2 are not able to be identified. He concludes that these topographical references are parts of John’s gospel that are “quite accurate, detailed, and historical”.
If we are using archaeology to ‘test’ the accuracy of John’s gospel in this one area where it can be readily tested, we can say:
- 7 references are accurate, but this is not remarkable (i.e. the amount of detail is small and/or possiby well known);
- 6 are accurate, and show John was familiar with the site at the time of Jesus;
- 3 show significant detail that is accurate beyond what might have been expected;
- 2 are probably accurate, but uncertain;
- 2 are quite uncertain;
- none can be shown to be in error.
John’s gospel was clearly based on eyewitness memories of the geography of Jerusalem. It is reasonable to conclude that at least some other parts of the gospel contain good historical material.
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