John was one of the original twelve Apostles (1) of Jesus Christ (2). He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, one of the women who had followed and cared for Jesus from Galilee to Golgotha (3) (Matthew 27:55-56). He was a brother to the Apostle James the Greater (4).

John is traditionally identified as the author of several New Testament (5) books, to include the Gospel of John (6), 1 John (7), 2 John (8), 3 John (9), and Revelation (10). In the Gospel, authorship is credited to "the one Jesus loved" (John 20:2), a common reference throughout the account.

John and his brother, James, were initially disciples of John the Baptist (11). The brothers were identified as "partners" (Luke 5:7) in the fishing trade with the Apostle Peter (12) (Luke 5:10).

The Gospels of Matthew (13) and Mark (14) tell us that John, and his brother, James, were in a boat with their father on the Sea of Galilee when they were first called by Christ to follow Him (15). This was directly after He called Peter and Andrew (16) (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20).

John and James were present at the home of Peter and Andrew when Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:28-31).

Jesus gave John and his brother, James, the name "sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:16-18).

John was one of only three Apostles whom Jesus permitted to follow Him to the home of Jairus, where He raised a 12 year old girl from the dead (Mark 5:35-43, Luke 8:51).

Along with the other Apostles, John was given authority by Jesus to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1-3).

Luke 9:49-50 gives the exchange where John informs Jesus, "We saw someone driving out demons in Your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” Jesus assures John, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

John was present at The Transfiguration, where Moses (17) and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus (Matthew 17:1-3, Mark 9:2-4, Luke 9:28-36).

An invaluable lesson is learned when John and James requested to sit at Jesus' right hand in Heaven (Mark 10:35-45).

John and James asked Jesus if He wanted them to call fire down from Heaven unto some unfriendlies (Luke 9:53-55).

John ("the disciple whom He loved") is the only Apostle mentioned to be present at Jesus' Crucifixion (John 19:25-27).

John, James, Peter, Thomas (18), Nathanael (Bartholomew) (19) and two other Disciples were fishing in the Sea of Galilee when the Resurrected (20) Jesus appeared to them (John 21:1-14). This was the Miraculous Catch of 153 Fish - the final miracle (21) of Jesus recorded in the Holy Bible (22).

After witnessing the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, John and the others returned to Jerusalem (Acts 1).

John was with Peter when the latter healed a lame beggar (Acts 3:1-10).

John and Peter were arrested together for proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead (Acts 4:1-22).

When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God (23), they sent Peter and John to Samaria (Acts 9:8-25).

The Apostle Paul (24) referred to John, James and Peter as "those esteemed as pillars" (Galatians 2:9).

In Revelation 1:9, John discloses he "was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" while writing the prophetic book. He describes himself as "your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus."

For resources galore, explore the Footnotes below! For a printer friendly version of this page, click on the PDF offered in the lower sidebar. Modifications are welcome at goodnews@downriverdisciples.com.

FOOTNOTES

  (1) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/twelve-apostles

  (2) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (3) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/obituary-of-jesus

  (4) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-james-the-greater

  (5) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (6) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/john

  (7) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/1-john

  (8) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/2-john

  (9) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/3-john

(10) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/revelation

(11) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-benchmark-of-greatness

(12) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-peter

(13) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/matthew

(14) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/mark

(15) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/twelve-apostles

(16) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-andrew

(17) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/moses

(18) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-thomas

(19) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-bartholomew

(20) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/resurrection-of-jesus

(21) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/miracles-of-jesus

(22) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

(23) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-word-of-the-lord

(24) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/ambassador-in-chains