text: In the standard order of the canonical gospels , John is fourth , after the three interrelated synoptic gospels Matthew , Mark and Luke . In the earliest surviving gospel collection , Papyrus 45 of the 3rd century , it is placed second in the order Matthew , John , Luke and Mark , an order which is also found in other very early New Testament manuscripts .
simplified: The Gospel of John is the fourth book of the New Testament , after the gospels of Matthew , Mark and Luke .