1st century AD · a disciple around AD 30, exiled to Patmos around 95 according to tradition
John the apostle in the Bible
The disciple whom Jesus loved. Name meaning: From the Hebrew Yohanan, “the LORD is gracious”
John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James, is a Galilean fisherman who becomes one of the three disciples closest to Jesus. According to tradition, he is “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” to whom Jesus entrusted his mother from the cross, and the author of the Gospel of John, three letters, and Revelation. The “son of thunder” became the apostle of love.
Key moments
- Called with James, he leaves his father’s boat Mark 1:20
- Nicknamed “son of thunder” Mark 3:17
- Witness of the transfiguration Matthew 17:1–2
- Leaning on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper John 13:23–25
- At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusts his mother to him John 19:26–27
- At the empty tomb, “he saw, and believed” John 20:8
- Before the Sanhedrin with Peter Acts 4:13
- Exiled on Patmos, he receives Revelation Revelation 1:9
Strengths
- Closeness with Jesus
- Faithfulness
- A trustworthy witness
- Brotherly love
- Zeal transformed
Weaknesses
As a young man, John has a fiery and sometimes sectarian temper: he wants to call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54), stops a man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name (Luke 9:49), and, with his brother, seeks the top places in the kingdom (Mark 10:37). Grace turned him into the apostle of love.
Lessons for today
- Nearness to Jesus changes character: the “son of thunder” became the apostle of love (Mark 3:17; 1 John 4:7).
- Be faithful all the way to the foot of the cross, when others have fled (John 19:26-27).
- A true witness tells what he has seen and heard of Jesus, so that others will believe (1 John 1:3; John 20:31).
- You can’t claim to love God without loving your brothers and sisters: love proves itself in action (1 John 3:16).
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
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Quiz: how well do you know John the apostle?
Who was the brother of the apostle John?
Jesus saw “James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets,” and he called them. Mark 1:19–20
What nickname did Jesus give James and John?
He gave them “the name Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.” “Son of consolation” is the meaning of the name Barnabas. Mark 3:17
On which island did John receive the revelation of Revelation?
“I John, who also am your brother… was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:9
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