John Ἰωάννης
Apostle and son of Zebedee
Who is John in the Bible?
John, the son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus and part of his inner circle, often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). A fisherman by trade alongside his brother James, John witnessed pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry, including the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1) and Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). After the Resurrection, John became a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church, performing miracles and boldly proclaiming the Gospel alongside Peter (Acts 3:1-4). Church tradition credits John with writing the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the book of Revelation, making him one of the most theologically influential figures in Christian Scripture. His legacy centers on intimate knowledge of Jesus and unwavering testimony to Christ's divinity and redemptive love.
Biography
John, the son of Zebedee, is a prominent figure in the New Testament. He is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus and is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (Jhn.13.23). John worked as a fisherman alongside his brother James and their father Zebedee (Mat.4.21; Mrk.1.19).
Throughout the Gospels, John is depicted as a close companion of Jesus. He witnesses significant events, including the Transfiguration (Mat.17.1; Mrk.9.2), and is present during Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mrk.14.33). He is also noted for his role in the early church, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles, where he actively preached and performed miracles (Act.3.1-4; 4.13).
John is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of John, three epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John), and the Book of Revelation (Rev.1.1, 4, 9; 22.8). In Revelation, he describes visions of the end times and the New Jerusalem (Rev.21.2).
John's contributions to the New Testament and his close relationship with Jesus have established him as a pivotal figure in Christian tradition. His writings emphasize love, faith, and the divinity of Christ.
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In Scripture
6 biblical books ; 6 with study contentMatthew 3 verses
- Matthew 4:21
"Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 10:2
"These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 17:1
"After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves."
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Mark 5 verses
- Mark 1:19
"Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets."
Study Mark → - Mark 1:29
"As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew."
Study Mark → - Mark 3:17
"James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),"
Study Mark → - Mark 5:37
"And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James."
Study Mark → - Mark 9:2
"After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them."
Study Mark →
Luke 5 verses
- Luke 5:10
"and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”"
Study Luke → - Luke 6:14
"Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;"
Study Luke → - Luke 8:51
"When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother."
Study Luke → - Luke 9:28
"About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray."
Study Luke → - Luke 9:49
"“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”"
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Acts 5 verses
- Acts 1:13
"When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James."
Study Acts → - Acts 3:1
"One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour."
Study Acts → - Acts 3:3
"When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money."
Study Acts → - Acts 3:4
"Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter."
Study Acts → - Acts 3:11
"While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade."
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Galatians 1 verse
- Galatians 2:9
"And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised."
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Revelation 5 verses
- Revelation 1:1
"This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,"
Study Revelation → - Revelation 1:4
"John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne,"
Study Revelation → - Revelation 1:9
"I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus."
Study Revelation → - Revelation 21:2
"I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Study Revelation → - Revelation 22:8
"And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰωάννης | Iōánnēs | Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites |
| Named | Greek | Βοανεργές | — | — |