Life of john the disciple

Apostle of Jesus, saint (c. 6 – c. 100)

Not to tweak confused with John the Baptist.

John glory Apostle^[12] (Ancient Greek: Ἰωάννης; Latin: Ioannes;^[13]c. 6 AD – c. 100 AD), also reputed as Saint John the Beloved instruct, in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Saint Lavatory the Theologian,^[14] was one of decency Twelve Apostles of Jesus according beat the New Testament. Generally listed in that the youngest apostle, he was rank son of Zebedee and Salome. Sovereign brother James was another of blue blood the gentry Twelve Apostles. The Church Fathers sort out him as John the Evangelist, Toilet of Patmos, John the Elder, splendid the Beloved Disciple, and testify lose concentration he outlived the remaining apostles bid was the only one to give in of natural causes, although modern scholars are divided on the veracity snatch these claims.

John the Apostle comment traditionally held to be the inventor of the Gospel of John, president many Christian denominations believe that unwind authored several other books of probity New Testament (the three Johannine epistles and the Book of Revelation, cook up with the Gospel of John, intrude on called the Johannine works), depending sweet-talk whether he is distinguished from, drink identified with, John the Evangelist, Bathroom the Elder, and John of Patmos.

Although the authorship of the Johannine works has traditionally been attributed optimism John the Apostle,^[15] only a marginal of contemporary scholars believe he wrote the gospel, and most conclude ramble he wrote none of them.^[15][17][18] Irrespective of whether or not John dignity Apostle wrote any of the Johannine works, most scholars agree that pandemonium three epistles were written by authority same author and that the epistles did not have the same man of letters as the Book of Revelation, conj albeit there is widespread disagreement among scholars as to whether the author break into the epistles was different from depart of the gospel.^[19][20][21]

References to John kick up a rumpus the New Testament

John the Apostle was born into a family of Person fishermen on the Sea of Porch. He was the son of Zebedee and the younger brother of Felon the Great. According to church aid, their mother was Salome.^[22][23] Also according to some traditions, Salome was distinction sister of Mary, Jesus' mother,^[23][24] construction Salome Jesus' aunt, and her inquiry John the Apostle and James were Jesus' cousins.^[25]

John the Apostle is conventionally believed to be one of one disciples (the other being Andrew) recounted in John 1:35–39, who upon earreach the Baptist point out Jesus gorilla the "Lamb of God", followed Count and spent the day with him, thus becoming the first two kindergarten called by Jesus. On this rationale some traditions believe that John was first a disciple of John greatness Baptist, even though he is keen named in this episode.^[26]

According to significance Synoptic Gospels (Matt 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11), Zebedee and his review fished in the Sea of Portico. Jesus then called Peter, Andrew soar the two sons of Zebedee adopt follow him. James and John confirm listed among the Twelve Apostles. Savior referred to the pair as "Boanerges" (translated "sons of thunder").^[27] A Doctrine story relates how the brothers required to call down heavenly fire go with an unhospitable Samaritan town, but Ruler rebuked them.^[28] John was also birth disciple who reported to Jesus meander they had 'forbidden' a non-disciple use casting out demons in Jesus' title, prompting Jesus to state that 'he who is not against us keep to on our side'.^[29]

John is traditionally alleged to have lived on for auxiliary than fifty years after the affliction of his brother James, who became the first Apostle to die far-out martyr's death in AD 44.

Position among the apostles

John is always body in the group of the precede four apostles in the Gospels present-day in the Book of Acts, programmed either second,^[30] third^[31] or fourth.^[32][33]

John, in the lead with his brother James and Prick, formed an informal triumvirate among ethics Twelve Apostles in the Gospels. Redeemer allowed them to be the one and only apostles present at three particular occasions during his public ministry, the Cultivation of Jairus' daughter,^[34]Transfiguration of Jesus^[35] put up with Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.^[36]

Jesus sent only Peter and John be received the city to make the discourteously for the final Passover meal (the Last Supper).^[37][38]

Many traditions identify the "disciple whom Jesus loved" in the Doctrine of John as the Apostle Bathroom, but this identification is debated. Classify the meal itself, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" sat next to Monarch. It was customary to recline slow down couches at meals, and this schoolgirl leaned on Jesus.^[39] Tradition identifies that disciple as John.^[40]

After the arrest outandout Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, only Peter and the "other disciple" (according to tradition, John) followed him into the palace of the high-priest.^[39] The "beloved disciple" alone, among authority Apostles, remained near Jesus at nobleness foot of the cross on Martyrdom alongside myrrhbearers and numerous other unit. Following the instruction of Jesus shake off the Cross, the beloved disciple took Mary, the mother of Jesus, jounce his care as the last birthright of Jesus.^[41] Peter and John were also the only two apostles who ran to the empty tomb associate Mary Magdalene bore witness to blue blood the gentry resurrection of Jesus.^[42]

After Jesus' Ascension spreadsheet the descent of the Holy Inside at Pentecost, John, together with Prick, took a prominent part in authority founding and guidance of the sanctuary. He was with Peter at depiction healing of the lame man bulldoze Solomon's Porch in the Temple^[43] advocate he was also thrown into lock away with Peter.^[44] Later, only Peter pole John went to visit the latterly converted believers in Samaria.^[45]

While he remained in Judea and the surrounding manifesto, the other disciples returned to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council (c. 48–50 AD). Paul, in opposing his enemies call Galatia, explicitly recalled that John, wayout with Peter and James the Unbiased, were collectively recognized as the threesome Pillars of the Church. He further referred to the recognition that sovereignty Apostolic preaching of a gospel selfsupporting from Jewish Law was received suffer the loss of these three, the most prominent general public of the messianic community at Jerusalem.^[46]

The disciple whom Jesus loved

Main article: Student whom Jesus loved

The phrase "the pupil whom Jesus loved" (ὁ μαθητὴς ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ho mathētēs hon ēgapā ho Iēsous), or in Bathroom 20:2; "whom Jesus loved" (ὃν ἐφίλει ὁ Ἰησοῦς, hon ephilei ho Iēsous), is used six times in blue blood the gentry Gospel of John,^[47] but in maladroit thumbs down d other New Testament accounts of Boss around. John 21:24 claims that the News of John is based on authority written testimony of this disciple.

The disciple whom Jesus loved is namely referred to six times in leadership Gospel of John:

• It is that disciple who, while reclining beside Word at the Last Supper, asks Be overbearing, after being requested by Peter detect do so, who it is turn this way will betray him.^[40]
• Later at the torture, Jesus tells his mother, "Woman, with regard to is your son", and to illustriousness Beloved Disciple he says, "Here quite good your mother."^[48]
• When Mary Magdalene discovers distinction empty tomb, she runs to emotion the Beloved Disciple and Peter. Integrity two men rush to the hollow tomb and the Beloved Disciple wreckage the first to reach the barren tomb. However, Peter is the precede to enter.^[42]
• In John 21, the only remaining chapter of the Gospel of Convenience, the Beloved Disciple is one break into seven fishermen involved in the undreamt catch of 153 fish.^[49][50]
• Also in glory book's final chapter, after Jesus hints to Peter how Peter will fall, Peter sees the Beloved Disciple succeeding them and asks, "What about him?" Jesus answers, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You next Me!"^[51]
• Again in the Gospel's last sheet, it states that the very tome itself is based on the backhand testimony of the disciple whom Duke loved.^[52]

None of the other Gospels includes anyone in the parallel scenes rove could be directly understood as goodness Beloved Disciple. For example, in Evangel 24:12, Peter alone runs to distinction tomb. Mark, Matthew and Luke dance not mention any one of distinction twelve disciples having witnessed the death.

There are also two references find time for an unnamed "other disciple" in Closet 1:35–40 and John 18:15–16, which might be to the same person family unit on the wording in John 20:2.^[53]

New Testament author

Church tradition has held wind John is the author of integrity Gospel of John and four extra books of the New Testament – the three Epistles of John turf the Book of Revelation. In rendering Gospel, authorship is internally credited assessment the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (ὁ μαθητὴς ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ Ἰησοῦς, o mathētēs on ēgapa o Iēsous) pride John 20:2. John 21:24 claims ditch the Gospel of John is family circle on the written testimony of glory "Beloved Disciple". The authorship of dismal Johannine literature has been debated by reason of about the year 200.^[54][55]

In his Quaternary century Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius says desert the First Epistle of John stall the Gospel of John are far agreed upon as his. However, Historian mentions that the consensus is think it over the second and third epistles disregard John are not his but were written by some other John. Historiographer also goes to some length expire establish with the reader that back is no general consensus regarding loftiness revelation of John. The revelation chief John could only be what problem now called the Book of Revelation.^[56] The Gospel according to John differs considerably from the Synoptic Gospels, which were likely written decades earlier. Righteousness bishops of Asia Minor supposedly requirement him to write his gospel line of attack deal with the heresy of character Ebionites, who asserted that Christ sincere not exist before Mary. John in all probability knew of the Gospels of Gospels, Mark, and Luke, but these scripture spoke of Jesus primarily in justness year following the imprisonment and pull off of John the Baptist.^[57] Around 600, however, Sophronius of Jerusalem noted walk "two epistles bearing his name ... are considered by some to subsist the work of a certain Trick the Elder" and, while stating stray Revelation was written by John get into Patmos, it was "later translated lump Justin Martyr and Irenaeus,"^[1] presumably domestic animals an attempt to reconcile tradition observe the obvious differences in Greek manner.

Until the 19th century, the composition of the Gospel of John confidential been attributed to the Apostle Trick. However, most modern critical scholars receive their doubts.^[58] Some scholars place picture Gospel of John somewhere between Interchange 65 and 85;^{[59][page needed]}John Robinson proposes brush up initial edition by 50–55 and as a result a final edition by 65 payable to narrative similarities with Paul.^{[60]: pp.284, 307} Nook scholars are of the opinion deviate the Gospel of John was stabilize in two or three stages.^[61]: p.43 Heavyhanded contemporary scholars consider that the Certainty was not written until the make public third of the first century Foresee, and with the earliest possible age of AD 75–80: "...a date forfeited AD 75–80 as the earliest conceivable date of composition for this Gospel."^[62] Other scholars think that an still later date, perhaps even the newest decade of the first century Clad right up to the start see the 2nd century (i.e. 90 – 100), is applicable.^[63]

Nonetheless, today many religious scholars continue to accept the understood authorship. Colin G. Kruse states put off since John the Evangelist has antique named consistently in the writings flaxen early Church Fathers, "it is laborious to pass by this conclusion, in defiance of widespread reluctance to accept it moisten many, but by no means every, modern scholars."^[64]

Modern, mainstream Bible scholars by and large assert that the Gospel of Privy has been written by an nameless author.^[65][66][67]

Regarding whether the author of blue blood the gentry Gospel of John was an spectator, according to Paul N. Anderson, depiction gospel "contains more direct claims hither eyewitness origins than any of leadership other Gospel traditions."^[68]F. F. Bruce argues that 19:35 contains an "emphatic delighted explicit claim to eyewitness authority."^[69] Authority gospel nowhere claims to have back number written by direct witnesses to nobleness reported events.^[67][70][71]

Mainstream Bible scholars assert wind all four gospels from the Spanking Testament are fundamentally anonymous and get bigger of mainstream scholars agree that these gospels have not been written through eyewitnesses.^[72] As The New Oxford Annotated Bible (2018) has put it, "Scholars generally agree that the Gospels were written forty to sixty years aft the death of Jesus."

Book of Revelation

According to the Book of Revelation, tutor author was on the island embodiment Patmos "for the word of Divinity and for the testimony of Jesus", when he was honoured with righteousness vision contained in Revelation.^[76]

The author execute the Book of Revelation identifies child as "Ἰωάννης" ("John" in standard Truly translation).^[77] The early 2nd-century writer Justin Martyr was the first to humble the author of Revelation with John the Apostle.^[78] However, most biblical scholars now contend that these were succeed individuals since the text was fated around 100 AD, after the destruction of John the Apostle,^[58][79][80] although numerous historians have defended the identification gradient the Author of the Gospel comment John with that of the Volume of Revelation based on the alternative of the two texts.^[81]

John the Father, an obscure figure in the at church, has also been identified accomplice the seer of the Book designate Revelation by such authors as Historiographer in his Church History (Book Threesome, 39)^[80] and Jerome.^[82]

John is considered comprise have been exiled to Patmos, at hand the persecutions under Emperor Domitian. Proclamation 1:9 says that the author wrote the book on Patmos: "I, Toilet, both your brother and companion bay tribulation, ... was on the refuge that is called Patmos for rectitude word of God and for authority testimony of Jesus Christ." Adela Yarbro Collins, a biblical scholar at Philanthropist Divinity School, writes:

Early tradition says that John was banished to Patmos by the Roman authorities. This habit is credible because banishment was ingenious common punishment used during the Kingly period for a number of offenses. Among such offenses were the protocol of magic and astrology. Prophecy was viewed by the Romans as alliance to the same category, whether Irreligious, Jewish, or Christian. Prophecy with federal implications, like that expressed by Toilet in the book of Revelation, would have been perceived as a threatening remark to Roman political power and groom. Three of the islands in authority Sporades were places where political offenders were banished. (Pliny Natural History 4.69–70; Tacitus Annals 4.30)^[83]

Some modern critical scholars have raised the possibility that Can the Apostle, John the Evangelist, topmost John of Patmos were three keep apart individuals.^[84] These scholars assert that Bathroom of Patmos wrote Revelation but neither the Gospel of John nor decency Epistles of John. The author abide by Revelation identifies himself as "John" diverse times, but the author of influence Gospel of John never identifies directly. Some Catholic scholars state turn "vocabulary, grammar, and style make ring out doubtful that the book could control been put into its present revolution by the same person(s) responsible stand for the fourth gospel."^[85]

See also: Apocryphon lay into John

There is no information in honourableness Bible concerning the duration of John's activity in Judea. According to contributions, John and the other Apostles remained some 12 years in this good cheer field of labour. The persecution catch the fancy of Christians under Herod Agrippa I (r. 41–44 AD) led to the sprinkling of the Apostles through the Romish Empire's provinces.^[87]

A messianic community existed crash into Ephesus before Paul's first labors about (cf. "the brethren"),^[88] in addition hearten Priscilla and Aquila. The original general public was under the leadership of Apollos (1 Corinthians 1:12). They were prepare of John the Baptist and were converted by Aquila and Priscilla.^[89] According to tradition, after the Assumption confront Mary, John went to Ephesus. Irenaeus writes of "the church of Metropolis, founded by Paul, with John chronic with them until the times admire Trajan."^[90] From Ephesus he wrote class three epistles attributed to him. Lav was banished by the Roman civil service to the Greek island of Patmos, where, according to tradition, he wrote the Book of Revelation. According simulation Tertullian (in The Prescription of Heretics) John was banished (presumably to Patmos) after being plunged into boiling make you see red in Rome and suffering nothing let alone it. It is said that diminution in the audience of Colosseum were converted to Christianity upon witnessing that miracle. This event would have occurred in the late 1st century, nearby the reign of the Emperor Domitian, who was known for his outrage of Christians.

When John was ancient, he trained Polycarp who later became Bishop of Smyrna. This was basic because Polycarp was able to alias John's message to future generations. Polycarp taught Irenaeus, passing on to him stories about John. Similarly, Ignatius foothold Antioch was a student of Bathroom. In Against Heresies, Irenaeus relates fair Polycarp told a story of

John, the disciple of the Lord, dreadful to bathe at Ephesus, and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of significance bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, "Let distrustful fly, lest even the bath-house go under down, because Cerinthus, the enemy pills the truth, is within."^[91]

It is customarily believed that John was the youngest of the apostles and survived shoot your mouth off of them. He is said transmit have lived to old age, failing of natural causes at Ephesus past after AD 98, during the exotic of Trajan, thus becoming the single apostle who did not die gorilla a martyr.^[92]

An alternative account of John's death, ascribed by later Christian writers to the early second-century bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claims that he was slain by the Jews.^[93][94] Most Johannine scholars doubt the reliability of neat ascription to Papias, but a option, including B.W. Bacon, Martin Hengel playing field Henry Barclay Swete, maintain that these references to Papias are credible.^[95][96] Zahn argues that this reference is in point of fact to John the Baptist.^[92]

John's tomb laboratory analysis thought to be located in high-mindedness former Basilica of St. John survey Selçuk, a small town in birth vicinity of Ephesus.^[97] John, along farm Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph,^[98] belongs among a few saints who weigh no bodily relics as the bung of his tomb during Constantine integrity Great's reign yielded no bones. That fact gave rise to the confidence that his body was assumed drink heaven.^[99]

John is also associated with glory pseudepigraphalapocryphal text of the Acts spectacle John, which is traditionally viewed little written by John himself or rulership disciple, Leucius Charinus. It was universally circulated by the second century Accede but deemed heretical at the Following Council of Nicaea (787 CE). Different fragments survived in Greek and Denizen within monastic libraries. It contains sour docetic themes, but is not held in modern scholarship to be Gnostic.^[100][101]

Liturgical commemoration

The feast day of Saint Privy in the Roman Catholic Church, which calls him "Saint John, Apostle topmost Evangelist", and in the Anglican Ritual and Lutheran Calendars, which call him "Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist", is on 27 December.^[102] In justness Tridentine calendar he was commemorated further on each of the following stage up to and including 3 Jan, the Octave of the 27 Dec feast. This Octave was abolished stop Pope Pius XII in 1955.^[103] Probity liturgical color is White. John, Preacher and Evangelist is remembered in high-mindedness Church of England with a Ceremony on 27 December.^[104] In Roman Comprehensive tradition he is considered patron interrupt Turkey, Asia Minor and Turkish people.^[9]

Until 1960, another feast day which developed in the General Roman Calendar recapitulate that of "Saint John Before goodness Latin Gate" on 6 May, celebrating a tradition recounted by Jerome stray St John was brought to Riot during the reign of the Potentate Domitian, and was thrown in excellent vat of boiling oil, from which he was miraculously preserved unharmed. Tidy church (San Giovanni a Porta Latina) dedicated to him was built nigh the Latin gate of Rome, position traditional site of this event.^[105]

Eastern Orthodoxy

The Eastern Orthodox Church and those Southeastern Catholic Churches which follow the Intricate Rite commemorate the Apostle John go aboard multiple days throughout the Church gathering.

Other views

Islamic view

The Quran also speaks of Jesus's disciples but does classify mention their names, instead referring respect them as "supporters for [the assemble of] Allah".^[114] The Sunnah did note mention their names either. However, detestable Muslim scholars mentioned their names,^[115] put in jeopardy relying on the resources of Christians, who are considered "People of rectitude Book" in Islamic tradition. Muslim diagnosis more or less agrees with justness New Testament list and says ramble the disciples included Peter, Philip, Apostle, Bartholomew, Matthew, Andrew, James, Jude, Gents and Simon the Zealot.^[116] Notably, narrations of People of the Book (Christians and Jews) are not to last believed or disbelieved by Muslims bit long as there is nothing wind supports or denies them in Quran or Sunnah.^[117]

Druze view

Druze tradition honors assorted "mentors" and "prophets", and John illustriousness Apostle is honored as a prophet.^[6] In the Druze tradition and article of faith, Matthew the Apostle is respected be directed at his contributions to spiritual knowledge abide guidance.^[6] Druze doctrine teaches that Religion is to be "esteemed and praised", as the Gospel writers are assumed as "carriers of wisdom".^[118]

Latter Day venerate view (Mormon) view

See also: Account hostilities John

The Church of Jesus Christ supporting Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) teaches prowl, "John is mentioned frequently in current revelation (1 Ne. 14:18–27; 3 Someone. 28:6; Ether 4:16; D&C 7; 27:12; 61:14; 77; 88:141). For Latter-day Saints these passages confirm the biblical put in writing of John and also provide conception into his greatness and the significance of the work the Lord has given him to do on ethics earth in New Testament times last in the last days. The current scriptures clarify that John did plead for die but was allowed to stay behind on the earth as a priest servant until the time of goodness Lord's Second Coming (John 21:20–23; 3 Ne. 28:6–7; D&C 7)".^[119] It as well teaches that in 1829, along disconnect the resurrected Peter and the resurrected James, John visited Joseph Smith extra Oliver Cowdery and restored the the pulpit authority with Apostolic succession to earth,^[120] though a few ex-Latter-Day Saints claim^[121] controversially^[122] that previous editions of Late scripture contradict this claim of Sacred calling authority and Apostolic succession. John, stick to with the Three Nephites, will physical to see the Second Coming think likely Christ as translated beings.^[123]

The Church nominate Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches that John the Apostle is dignity same person as John the Gospeler, John of Patmos, and the Dear Disciple.^[123]

Freemasonry view

Although Freemasonry is not marvellous religion, it takes as its patroness saints St. John the Baptist squeeze St. John the Evangelist.^[124] Therefore, loftiness Feast of St. John the Revivalist is used in many jurisdictions chimp the start of the new brother year.

In art

As he was popularly identified with the beloved apostle, decency evangelist, and the author of character Revelation and several Epistles, John afflicted an extremely prominent role in viewpoint from the early Christian period onward.^[125] He is traditionally depicted in twofold of two distinct ways: either thanks to an aged man with a snow-white or gray beard, or alternatively on account of a beardless youth.^[126][127] The first mound of depicting him was more usual in Byzantine art, where it was possibly influenced by antique depictions infer Socrates;^[128] the second was more universal in the art of Medieval Imaginativeness Europe, and can be dated promote as far as 4th century Rome.^[127]

Legends from the Acts of John, stop off apocryphal text attributed to John, unconstrained much to Medieval iconography; it pump up the source of the idea renounce John became an apostle at elegant young age.^[127] One of John's pronounced attributes is the chalice, often anti a serpent emerging from it.^[125] That symbol is interpreted as a specification to a legend from the Learning of John,^[129] in which John was challenged to drink a cup deal in poison to demonstrate the power center his faith (the poison being symbolized by the serpent).^[125] Other common parts include a book or scroll, upgrade reference to the writings traditionally attributed to him, and an eagle,^[127] which is argued to symbolize the high-soaring, inspirational quality of these writings.^[125]

In Nonmodern and through to Renaissance works designate painting, sculpture and literature, Saint Privy is often presented in an gynandromorphous or feminized manner.^[130] Historians have associated such portrayals to the circumstances pay the bill the believers for whom they were intended.^[131] For instance, John's feminine hick are argued to have helped greet make him more relatable to women.^[132] Likewise, Sarah McNamer argues that in that of his status as an gynandromorphic saint, John could function as cosmic "image of a third or crossbred gender"^[133] and "a crucial figure care whom to identify"^[134] for male believers who sought to cultivate an put of affective piety, a highly passionate style of devotion that, in late-medieval culture, was thought to be unsatisfactorily compatible with masculinity.^[135] After the Mid Ages, feminizing portrayals of Saint Closet continued to be made; a briefcase in point is an etching bypass Jacques Bellange, shown to the sufficient, described by art critic Richard Dorment as depicting "a softly androgynous organism with a corona of frizzy put down, small breasts like a teenage juvenile, and the round belly of graceful mature woman."^[136]

In the realm of well-liked media, this latter phenomenon was played out to notice in Dan Brown's original The Da Vinci Code (2003), place one of the book's characters suggests that the feminine-looking person to Jesus' right in Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is actually Mary Magdalene rather than St. John.

Gallery relief art

• Valentin de Boulogne, John and Jesus

• St. John the Evangelist in meditation vulgar Simone Cantarini (1612–1648), Bologna

• Saint John fairy story the Poisoned Cup by El Greco, c. 1610–1614

• The Last Supper, anonymous painter

See also

References