John the Apostle

John and James, the sons of Zebedee, were among the twelve apostles and part of Jesus' inner circle.

John, the son of Zebedee, is a prominent figure in the New Testament. He is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus and is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (Jhn 13:23). John worked as a fisherman alongside his brother James and their father Zebedee (Mat 4:21; Mrk 1:19).

Throughout the Gospels, John is depicted as a close companion of Jesus. He witnesses significant events, including the Transfiguration (Mat 17:1; Mrk 9:2), and is present during Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mrk 14:33). He is also noted for his role in the early church, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles, where he actively preached and performed miracles (Act.3.1-4; 4.13).

John is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of John, three epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John), and the Book of Revelation (Rev.1.1, 4, 9; 22.8). In Revelation, he describes visions of the end times and the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:2).

John's contributions to the New Testament and his close relationship with Jesus have established him as a pivotal figure in Christian tradition. His writings emphasize love, faith, and the divinity of Christ.

THE APOSTLE, brother of James the “Greater” (Matt. 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; 3:17; 10:35). He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee (Matt. 4:21) and Salome (Matt. 27:56; comp. Mark 15:40), and was born at Bethsaida. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (comp. Mark 1:20; Luke 5:3; John 19:27). He was doubtless trained in all that constituted the ordinary education of Jewish youth. When he grew up he followed the occupation of a fisherman on the Lake of Galilee. When John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness of Judea, John, with many others, gathered round him, and was deeply influenced by his teaching. There he heard the announcement, “Behold the Lamb of God,” and forthwith, on the invitation of Jesus, became a disciple and ranked among his followers (John 1:36, 37) for a time. He and his brother then returned to their former avocation, for how long is uncertain. Jesus again called them (Matt. 4: 21; Luke 5:1-11), and now they left all and permanently attached themselves to the company of his disciples. He became one of the innermost circle (Mark 5:37; Matt. 17:1; 26:37; Mark 13:3). He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. In zeal and intensity of character he was a “Boanerges” (Mark 3:17). This spirit once and again broke out (Matt. 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41; Luke 9:49, 54). At the betrayal he and Peter follow Christ afar off, while the others betake themselves to hasty flight (John 18:15). At the trial he follows Christ into the council chamber, and thence to the praetorium (18:16, 19, 28) and to the place of crucifixion (19:26, 27). To him and Peter, Mary first conveys tidings of the resurrection (20:2), and they are the first to go and see what her strange words mean. After the resurrection he and Peter again return to the Sea of Galilee, where the Lord reveals himself to them (21:1, 7). We find Peter and John frequently after this together (Acts 3:1; 4:13). John remained apparently in Jerusalem as the leader of the church there (Acts 15:6; Gal. 2:9). His subsequent history is unrecorded. He was not there, however, at the time of Paul’s last visit (Acts 21:15-40). He appears to have retired to Ephesus, but at what time is unknown. The seven churches of Asia were the objects of his special care (Rev. 1:11). He suffered under persecution, and was banished to Patmos (1:9); whence he again returned to Ephesus, where he died, probably about A.D. 98, having outlived all or nearly all the friends and companions even of his maturer years. There are many interesting traditions regarding John during his residence at Ephesus, but these cannot claim the character of historical truth.