John
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “The LORD is gracious”
The apostle "whom Jesus loved," a fisherman of the inner circle who wrote the fourth Gospel, three epistles, and Revelation, and cared for Jesus’ mother.
Biography
John, son of Zebedee and brother of James, was a Galilean fisherman who became one of Jesus' closest disciples — traditionally "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). With Peter and James, he formed the inner circle present at the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus's daughter, and Gethsemane.
The beloved disciple
John leaned on Jesus at the Last Supper, stood at the cross when the others fled, and was entrusted by the dying Jesus with the care of His mother: "Behold thy mother!" (John 19:26–27). He outran Peter to the empty tomb (John 20:4).
Pillar and writer
In Acts, John stands with Peter as a leader of the Jerusalem church, and Paul names him a "pillar" (Galatians 2:9). By tradition he lived to old age in Ephesus and wrote five New Testament books: the Gospel of John, the three epistles of John, and — exiled on the island of Patmos — the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9). His great theme is love: "God is love" (1 John 4:8).
Life Timeline
Entrusted by Jesus at the cross with His mother
Receives the Revelation while exiled on Patmos
On the Bible timeline
John belongs to the The Early Church era (c. AD 30 – 100).
- c. AD 30 – 33The Crucifixion & Resurrection
- c. AD 30 – 33Pentecost
- c. AD 34 – 36The Conversion of Paul
- c. AD 46 – 57Paul's Missionary Journeys
- AD 70The Destruction of the Temple
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from John
Biblical themes that run through the passages where John appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 1 bookRevelation5 verses
Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Revelation 1:4
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:2
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 22:8
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Frequently asked about John
Who was John in the Bible?
The apostle "whom Jesus loved," a fisherman of the inner circle who wrote the fourth Gospel, three epistles, and Revelation, and cared for Jesus’ mother.
What does the name John mean?
The name John means “The LORD is gracious”.
What did John do in the Bible?
John served as apostle, fisherman.
Who were John's parents?
John was the child of Zebedee, Salome.
Where does John appear in the Bible?
John is mentioned 5 times across 1 book: Revelation.
What can we learn from John?
The story of John touches on themes of word of god, angel (1), heaven, patience — explore each to study the lessons drawn from John's life.
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