John Ἰωάννης
A member of the high priest's family
Who is John in the Bible?
The name "John" refers to multiple biblical figures, most notably John the Apostle and John the Baptist, who were central to Jesus's ministry and the early church. However, a lesser-known John appears in Acts 4:6 as a member of the high priest's family who was present when Peter and John the Apostle were brought before the Sanhedrin for questioning after healing a lame man in the temple. This John's appearance alongside Annas, Caiaphas, and other members of the priestly family highlights the religious establishment's concern about the apostles' authority and their growing influence among the people. Little is known about this particular John beyond this single mention, and scholars have offered various theories about his identity, though none can be confirmed with certainty. His presence in this account underscores the opposition the early church faced from Jewish religious leadership in Jerusalem.
Biography
John is mentioned briefly in Act.4.6 as a member of the high priest's family. He was present when Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, after healing a lame man and preaching in the temple. The Sanhedrin questioned the apostles about the power and authority by which they had performed the miracle and taught the people. John's presence, along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family, underscores the significance of the event and the perceived threat the apostles' actions posed to the religious establishment. However, no further information is provided about John's specific role or his reaction to the apostles' testimony.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentActs 1 verse
- Acts 4:6
"along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family."
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰωάννης | Iōánnēs | Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) John (2)
of Annas the high priest, who sat in the Sanhedrin when Peter and John were tried (Ac 4:6). Lightfoot supposes him to be the Jochanan ben Zacchai of the Talmud, who, however, did not belong to the family of the high priest. Nothing is really known of him.
(4) JOHN MARK (which see).
(5) Father of Simon Peter (Joh 1:42; 21:15,17, margin "Greek Joanes: called in Mt 16:17, Jonah").
S. F. Hunter
See MARK, JOHN.
(Ioanes):
ISources
IIParentage
IIIEarly Life
IVMinistry
1The Scene
2His First Appearance
3.