The Gospel of John has always been difficult to interpret: it has proved enigmatic and even opaque. This book demonstrates that the present text has followed a long and tortuous journey from Jewish Gnosticism to Christian Gnosticism and into Roman Christianity. The result is a surprising re-reading both of the earlier versions of the text and the editing done by the Roman Christians. It throws light on a different Jesus to the canonical one, a different Mother, a different Sister Mary and a different Mary Magdalene who was called the Beloved Disciple in the gospel text. 'This book is a bold, brilliant unearthing of the religious roots of the Gospel of John' - Dr Norman Habel, Editor of 'The Earth Bible' Project. 'Robert Crotty applies a lifetime of acclaimed scholarship to the historical and literary foundations of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. His exciting insights into the Gnostic foundations of the Gospel of John are ground-breaking and will lead the way in New Testament scholarship' - Dr Lorraine Parkinson, Vice-President of the Progressive Christian Network of Victoria.