Author: All three are probably by the same author; but who is
he? 1 John: no author is named or referred to throughout the
text. 2 John and 3 John: the author is self-identified as “the
elder.” He is traditionally identified as “John the apostle, son
of Zebedee” – but is this correct? He was probably a leader of
the “Johannine community” (in Ephesus?) – i.e. the
community(-ies) founded by the “beloved disciple” who value the
Gospel of John! Relationship of the Letters to the Gospel
according to John? Many similarities in vocabulary & theology;
but some slight differences. Same author of Gospels and Letters?
If not, at least in/from the same community. Scholars debate
whether the letters were written before, or probably after the
Gospel. The lLetters continue the same teachings as the Gospel
of John, but also correct some misinterpretations. Dates: The
three letters were written at about the same time; maybe a few
months/years apart. Probably late first century, written to
communities near the Johannine “mothe