Topical Bible: John the Apostle
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 Apostle
was 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
... Ioannes Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-an'-nace) Short Definition: John Definition: John:
the Baptist, the apostle, a member of the Sanhedrin, or John Mark. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2491.htm - 6k
Library
Narrative Concerning John the Apostle.
... Book III. Chapter XXIII."Narrative Concerning John the Apostle. 1. At
that time the apostle and evangelist John, the one whom ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxiii narrative concerning john the.htm
Letter x. To John, Theologos, Apostle and Evangelist, Imprisoned ...
... LETTERS OF DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE. LETTER X. To John, Theologos, Apostle and
Evangelist, imprisoned in the Isle of Patmos. I salute thee, the holy soul! ...
/.../dionysius/letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter x to john theologos.htm
The Epistle of Ignatius to St. John the Apostle
... The Epistle of Ignatius to St. John the Apostle. Ignatius, and the brethren
who are with him, to John the holy presbyter. We are ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to.htm
The Apostle John and the Apocalypse.
... Book III. Chapter XVIII."The Apostle John and the Apocalypse. 1. It is
said that in this persecution the apostle and evangelist ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xviii the apostle john and.htm
Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ...
... paul the apostle to the thessalonians. homilies of St. John Chrysostom, archbishop
of constantinople, on the first epistle of St. paul the apostle to Timothy. ...
/.../homilies of st john chrysostom 3.htm
Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle and evangelist john the theologian/
Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.
Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. <. ... Acts
of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. ...
/.../acts of the holy apostle.htm
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople ...
... St. paul the apostle to the ephesians. the homilies of St. john Chrysostom
archbishop of constantinople, on the EPISTLES OF ST. ...
/.../the homilies of st john.htm
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople ...
... paul the apostle to the thessalonians. the homilies of St. john Chrysostom
archbishop of constantinople, on the EPISTLES OF ST. ...
/.../the homilies of st john 2.htm
Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ...
... paul the apostle to Titus. homilies of St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of
constantinople, on the epistle of St. paul the apostle to Philemon. Argument. ...
/.../homilies of st john chrysostom 4.htm
Resources
Did Jesus lie to His brothers in John 7:8 10? | GotQuestions.org
Who baptized John the Baptist? | GotQuestions.org
Summary of the Book of 1 John - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
John: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com
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