John
Male
THE APOSTLE, brother of James the "Greater" ( Matthew 4:21 ; 10:2 ; Mark 1:19 ; 3:17 ; 10:35 ). He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee ( Matthew 4:21 ) and Salome ( Matthew 27:56 ; Compare Mark 15:40 ), and was born at Bethsaida. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (Compare 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 John 1:37 ) for a time. He and his brother then returned to their former avocation, for how long is uncertain. Jesus again called them ( Matthew 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 ; Matthew 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 ( Matthew 20:20-24 ; Mark 10:35-41 ; Luke 9:49 Luke 9:54 ). 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 ( John 18:16 John 18:19 John 18:28 ) and to the place of crucifixion ( John 19:26 John 19:27 ). 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 ( John 21:1 John 21:7 ). 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 ; Galatians 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 ( Revelation 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.
Family
- Parents
- ZebedeeMother of Zebedees children
- Siblings
- James
Named in 35 verses
- Matthew 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He ca
- Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;
- Matthew 17:1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
- Mark 1:19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
- Mark 1:29 Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
- Mark 3:17 James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder);
- Mark 5:37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
- Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another for
- Mark 9:38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”
- Mark 10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
- Mark 10:41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John.
- Mark 13:3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
- Mark 14:33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.
- Luke 5:10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people a
- Luke 6:14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
- Luke 8:51 When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother.
- Luke 9:28 About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.
- Luke 9:49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.”
- Luke 9:54 When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky and destroy them, just as Elijah did?”
- Luke 22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
- Acts 1:13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James
- Acts 3:1 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
- Acts 3:3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy.
- Acts 3:4 Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.”
- Acts 3:11 As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
- Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been
- Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
- Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
- Acts 12:2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
- Galatians 2:9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, those who were reputed to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and me the right hand
- Revelation 1:1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel
- Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are befor
- Revelation 1:9 I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s W
- Revelation 21:2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
- Revelation 22:8 Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.