Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:John the Apostle, also known as Saint John, is a prominent figure in the New Testament and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. John is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23), highlighting his close relationship with Christ. Background and Early Life: John was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of James, another of Jesus' apostles. The family was likely of some means, as Zebedee owned a fishing business on the Sea of Galilee. John and James were initially disciples of John the Baptist before following Jesus (John 1:35-40). Jesus called them "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17), possibly indicating their zealous nature. Role Among the Apostles: John was part of Jesus' inner circle, along with Peter and James. This trio witnessed significant events such as the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2) and the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37). John was also present at the Last Supper, where he reclined next to Jesus (John 13:23), and he was the only apostle recorded as being present at the crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to him (John 19:26-27). Writings: 1. The Gospel of John: This Gospel emphasizes the divinity of Christ and contains unique content not found in the Synoptic Gospels. It begins with the profound theological statement, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). The Gospel is structured around seven signs and the "I Am" statements of Jesus, underscoring His divine nature and mission. 2. The Epistles of John: These letters address early Christian communities, focusing on themes of love, truth, and fellowship with God. The First Epistle emphasizes the importance of love, stating, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). The Second and Third Epistles deal with issues of hospitality and truth within the church. 3. The Book of Revelation: This apocalyptic text, written while John was exiled on the island of Patmos, provides a prophetic vision of the end times. It includes messages to the seven churches of Asia Minor and vivid imagery of the final victory of Christ over evil. Later Life and Legacy: According to early church tradition, John lived to an old age, possibly being the only apostle to die of natural causes. He is believed to have spent his later years in Ephesus, where he continued to teach and lead the early Christian community. His writings have had a profound impact on Christian theology, particularly concerning the nature of Christ and the concept of love. John's legacy is celebrated in Christian tradition as a model of faithfulness and devotion to Christ. His feast day is observed on December 27 in the Western Christian calendar. Smith's Bible Dictionary John the Apostlewas the son of Zebedee, a fisherman on the Lake of Galilee, and of Salome, and brother of James, also an apostle. Peter and James and John come within the innermost circle of their Lord's friends; but to John belongs the distinction of being the disciple whom Jesus loved. He hardly sustains the popular notion, fostered by the received types of Christian art, of a nature gentle, yielding, feminine. The name Boanerges, (Mark 3:17) implies a vehemence, zeal, intensity, which gave to those who had it the might of sons of thunder. [JAMES] The three are with our Lord when none else are, in the chamber of death, (Mark 5:37) in the glory of the transfiguration, (Matthew 17:1) when he forewarns them of the destruction of the holy city, (Mark 13:3) in the agony of Gethsemane. When the betrayal is accomplished, Peter and John follow afar off. (John 18:15) The personal acquaintance which exited between John and Caiaphas enables him to gain access to the council chamber, praetorium of the Roman procurator. (John 18:16,19,28) Thence he follows to the place of crucifixion, and the Teacher leaves to him the duty of becoming a son to the mother who is left desolate. (John 19:26,27) It is to Peter and John that Mary Magdalene first runs with the tidings of the emptied sepulchre, (John 20:2) they are the first to go together to see what the strange words meant, John running on most eagerly to the rock-tomb; Peter, the least restrained by awe, the first to enter in and look. (John 20:4-6) For at least eight days they continue in Jerusalem. (John 20:26) Later, on the Sea of Galilee, John is the first to recognize in the dim form seen in the morning twilight the presence of his risen Lord; Peter the first to plunge into the water and swim toward the shore where he stood calling to them. (John 21:7) The last words of John's Gospel reveal to us the deep affection which united the two friends. The history of the Acts shows the same union. They are together at the ascension on the day of Pentecost. Together they enter the temple as worshippers, (Acts 3:1) and protest against the threats of the Sanhedrin. ch (Acts 4:13) The persecution which was pushed on by Saul of Tarsus did not drive John from his post. ch. (Acts 8:1) Fifteen years after St. Paul's first visit he was still at Jerusalem, and helped to take part in the settlement of the great controversy between the Jewish and the Gentile Christians. (Acts 15:6) His subsequent history we know only by tradition. There can be no doubt that he removed from jerusalem and settled at Ephesus, though at what time is uncertain. Tradition goes on to relate that in the persecution under Domitian he is taken to Rome, and there, by his boldness, though not by death, gains the crown of martyrdom. The boiling oil into which he is thrown has no power to hurt him. He is then sent to labor in the mines, and Patmost is the place of his exile. The accession of Nerva frees him from danger, and he returns to Ephesus. Heresies continue to show themselves, but he meets them with the strongest possible protest. The very time of his death lies within the region of conjecture rather than of history, and the dates that have been assigned for it range from A.D. 89 to A.D. 120. Greek 1361. Diotrephes -- "cherished by Zeus," Diotrephes, an opponent ... ... "cherished by Zeus," Diotrephes, an opponent of the apostle John. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Diotrephes Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ot-ref-ace ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1361.htm - 6k 2491. Ioannes -- John, the name of several Israelites Library Narrative Concerning John the Apostle. Letter x. To John, Theologos, Apostle and Evangelist, Imprisoned ... The Epistle of Ignatius to St. John the Apostle The Apostle John and the Apocalypse. Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ... Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople ... The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople ... Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ... Resources Did Jesus lie to His brothers in John 7:8 10? | GotQuestions.orgWho baptized John the Baptist? | GotQuestions.org Summary of the Book of 1 John - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org John: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics John: A Relative of Annas the High Priest John: Affected Probably by the Doctrines of the Stoics John: Herod Antipas Falsely Supposes Jesus to Be John: His Influence Upon the Public Mind John: His Ministry not Attested by Miracles John: Reproves Herod Antipas on Account of his Incest; Herod Imprisons Him, and Beheads Him John: Sends Two Disciples to Jesus John: Teaches his Disciples to Fast John: Teaches his Disciples to Pray John: Testifies to the Messiahship of Jesus John: The Apostle is Intrusted With the Care of Mary, Mother of Jesus John: The Apostle is Present With Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane John: The Apostle: A Pillar of the Ekklesia (Body of Christ) John: The Apostle: Civil Ambitions of John: The Apostle: Imprisoned by the Rulers of the Jews John: The Apostle: Intimately Associated With Jesus John: The Apostle: Intolerance of John: The Apostle: Lives in Jerusalem John: The Apostle: Prepares the Passover Meal John: The Apostle: Present at the Crucifixion John: The Apostle: Present at the Gravesite of Jesus John: The Apostle: Present at the Trial of Jesus Which Took Place in Front of the High Priest John: The Apostle: Present when Jesus Revealed Himself at the Lake Galilee John: The Apostle: Present With Peter in the Temple Courtyard John: The Apostle: Prophecy Concerning John: The Apostle: Sent by the Jerusalem Congregation With the Commission to Samaria John: The Apostle: The Epistles of John John: The Apostle: The healing of Peter's mother-in-law John: The Apostle: The raising of the daughter of Jairus John: The Apostle: The transfiguration John: The Apostle: The two catches of fish John: The Apostle: Writes his Apocalyptic Vision from Patmos Island John: The Baptist: Prophecies Concerning John: The Testimony of Jesus Concerning (See Below, Jesus Discourses Upon) Related Terms |
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