John the Apostle
John the Apostle, also known as John the Evangelist, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. His name, “John,” is derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan), meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” John is thought to have been born circa 6 AD in Bethsaida, Galilee, to Zebedee, a fisherman, and Salome, who may have been a sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Early Life of John the Apostle
John was a fisherman by trade, working alongside his brother James and their father Zebedee. He was also a disciple of John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20). John was the youngest of the apostles and formed part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and his brother James. He was present during many significant events in Jesus’ ministry, including the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36).
Biblical Narrative
The Calling of John
The calling of John took place when Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee and saw John and his brother James with their father Zebedee, mending their fishing nets. Jesus called them to leave their work and follow Him to become fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11).
In the Gospel of Matthew, the account says that Jesus was walking by the sea when He saw James and John, who were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them to follow Him, and they immediately left their boat and their father to become His disciples (Matthew 4:21-22).
In the Gospel of Mark, the story is similar to the one in Matthew, with Jesus walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where He saw James and John in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them to follow Him, and they left their father in the boat with the hired servants and followed Jesus (Mark 1:19-20).
In the Gospel of Luke, the account gives more detail. Jesus was teaching a crowd by the shore of the Sea of Galilee when He saw two boats nearby. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon Peter, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. After teaching the crowd from the boat, Jesus told Peter to let down the nets for a catch. Peter and his partners, James and John, were astonished by the miraculous catch of fish they hauled in. They brought their boats to land, left everything, and followed Jesus (Luke 5:1-11).
John at the Transfiguration
John, along with Peter and his brother James, witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus. This event, described in Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, and Luke 9:28-36, took place on a high mountain, where Jesus’ appearance was supernaturally altered, and His face shone like the sun while His clothes became dazzlingly white. Moses and Elijah also appeared, conversing with Jesus. God’s voice was heard from a cloud, declaring Jesus as His beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him.
John and the Request for Seats of Honor
In Matthew 20:20-28 and Mark 10:35-45, John and his brother James, through their mother Salome, asked Jesus if they could sit at His right and left hand in His kingdom. Jesus replied that these positions were not for Him to grant, and that they would need to be prepared to drink the cup He would drink and be baptized with the baptism He would undergo. This incident revealed the ambition of the two brothers and prompted Jesus to teach about true greatness being found in humble service.
John and the Exorcist
In Mark 9:38-41 and Luke 9:49-50, John told Jesus about a man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name, even though he was not one of the twelve apostles. John and the other disciples tried to stop him because he was not part of their group. However, Jesus taught them that whoever was not against them was for them and that they should not hinder the man’s work.
John and the High Priest’s Servant
During Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, John was present along with the other disciples. Although John does not directly mention himself, the Gospel of John (18:10-11) recounts the incident where Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Jesus then healed the servant’s ear and rebuked Peter, saying that those who live by the sword will die by the sword.
John at Jesus’s Trial
According to John 18:15-16, John accompanied Peter to the courtyard of the high priest during Jesus’ trial. John was known by the high priest, which allowed him to enter the courtyard and bring Peter in as well. While inside, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, as Jesus had foretold.
John at the Crucifixion
During the crucifixion, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to John. This poignant moment is recorded in John 19:25-27. From that time on, John took Mary into his home and cared for her as his own mother, demonstrating the close relationship between Jesus and John, as well as the deep trust Jesus had in him.
John at the Resurrection
John was one of the first disciples to learn about Jesus’ resurrection. In John 20:1-10, Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb and informed Peter and John. John outran Peter to reach the tomb first, but waited for Peter to enter before going in himself. Upon seeing the burial cloths, John believed that Jesus had risen from the dead.
John and Peter’s Miraculous Catch of Fish
After Jesus’ resurrection, John was present for a miraculous catch of fish, as described in John 21:1-14. John, Peter, and other disciples were fishing without success when Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. They caught a large number of fish, and John recognized Jesus, prompting Peter to jump into the water and swim to shore. This event was one of several post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to His disciples.
John at the Ascension
John was among the disciples present when Jesus ascended into heaven. This event is recorded in Acts 1:6-11, where Jesus instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. As Jesus ascended, two angels appeared and promised that He would return in the same manner.
John and Peter Heal a Lame Man
In Acts 3:1-11, John and Peter encountered a lame man begging for alms at the temple gate. Instead of giving money, Peter healed the man in the name of Jesus Christ, enabling him to walk and leap. This miracle led to a large crowd gathering, and Peter used the opportunity to preach the gospel, resulting in many conversions.
John and the Early Church
In Acts 4:13-22, John and Peter were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for preaching the resurrection of Jesus. Despite threats and warnings from the religious leaders, they courageously continued to proclaim the gospel. Their boldness and unshakeable faith in the face of opposition were essential to the growth of the early church.
John’s Role in the Jerusalem Council
John was present at the Jerusalem Council , as mentioned in Acts 15:1-29. This council was a significant event in the early church, as it dealt with the issue of whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish customs and laws. The council concluded that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised or adhere to the full extent of Jewish law, but should observe certain restrictions. John’s presence at the council highlights his continued involvement in the development of the Christian church.
Death of John
John is believed to have died of natural causes at an old age, sometime around 100 AD. Church tradition maintains that he spent his final years in Ephesus, where he was a leader in the early Christian community. Unlike the other apostles, who were martyred, John is thought to have died peacefully.
Additional Notes
John is often referred to as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” in the Gospel of John (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20). This highlights the special relationship he had with Jesus.
John’s Writings
The Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation are traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. The Gospel of John differs from the other three gospels, known as the Synoptic Gospels, in its unique presentation of Jesus as the Word made flesh (John 1:1-18) and its emphasis on Jesus’ divine nature. The Epistles of John focus on themes such as love, faith, and fellowship, while the Book of Revelation is a highly symbolic and apocalyptic work, detailing visions of the end times and the return of Jesus.
The Beloved Disciple
Throughout the Gospel of John, there are several references to “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20). Although the identity of this disciple is not explicitly stated, church tradition and scholarly interpretation often suggest that this disciple is John the Apostle himself. This portrayal emphasizes the close relationship between John and Jesus.
John’s Zealous Nature
John and his brother James were known for their zealous nature, which earned them the nickname “Boanerges,” meaning “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). This characteristic was displayed in Luke 9:51-56, when they wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village that had refused to welcome Jesus. Jesus rebuked them for their attitude, teaching that His mission was to save lives, not destroy them.
Extrabiblical References to John the Apostle
John the Apostle is mentioned in several early Christian writings, including the writings of early church fathers such as Irenaeus, Eusebius, and Polycarp. According to tradition, John spent much of his later life in Ephesus, where he wrote his Gospel and epistles, and on the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation.