Apostle · NT
John the Apostle
The 'beloved disciple' — fisherman, gospel writer, and seer of Patmos.
John, son of Zebedee and brother of James, was a Galilean fisherman called from his nets together with his brother. With Peter and James he formed the inner circle of the Twelve, witnessing the raising of Jairus' daughter, the Transfiguration, and the agony in Gethsemane. He calls himself in his Gospel 'the disciple whom Jesus loved.'
From the cross Jesus entrusted his mother to John's care. After Pentecost he labored in Jerusalem and later in Ephesus. Exiled to the island of Patmos under the Emperor Domitian, he received the visions recorded in the Revelation. He is the author of the fourth Gospel, three epistles, and the Apocalypse, and is the only apostle traditionally believed to have died a natural death, in extreme old age at Ephesus.
Key moments
Called from the nets
Leaves Zebedee with his brother James to follow Jesus.
At the cross and the empty tomb
First of the apostles to believe at the empty tomb (John 20:8).
Visions on Patmos
Receives the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Key verses
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth."
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"There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved."
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"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home."
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"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
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"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last, and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."
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Frequently asked
Did the apostle John write the Book of Revelation?
Early church tradition (Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian) unanimously attributes Revelation to John the apostle, written from exile on Patmos in the 90s AD.
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