The Life of the Apostle John

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The Life of the Apostle John

By: Jim Crews
 

John is often called the disciple that Jesus loved. He is also known as the apostle of love. We want to take today and learn more about the Apostle John. We’ll start by looking at his early life. 

Matthew 4:21-22

John’s father’s name was Zebedee. His brother was James. He was a fisherman by trade, and he worked with his father and brother. His father was prosperous enough to have hired servants.
Mark 1:20 

 

John and James were often partnered with two other brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew.

Luke 5:10-11

John’s mother was probably named Salome.

 Matthew 27:55-56

Mark 15:40-41.
 

 

As we know, John eventually became a disciple of Jesus.
John 1:35-40 

 

In this scripture, two disciples are mentioned, though only Andrew is named. Since John rarely mentions his name in his own writings, it is assumed that other disciple was John.
 

Jesus nicknamed James and John the sons of thunder.

Mark 3:17

This is because it is supposed that the brothers had a fiery zeal, an inner strength, and a tendency to be doing the unexpected.This can be seen in Luke.

 Luke 9:51-56

John’s mother, along with John and his brother, eagerly desired a high position in Jesus’ kingdom.

Matthew 20:20-24

Mark 10:35-41

John must have been a close friend of Peter as they are often together. Peter, James, and John were with Jesus when he raised the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue.

Mark 5:36-37

Peter, James, and John were on the mountain of transfiguration.  Matthew 17:1-2

Peter and John prepared the final Passover meal.

Luke 22:8

They were also with Jesus in Gethsemane.

Mark 14:32-35

Peter, and another disciple (probably John) were witnesses of Jesus’ trial.

John 18:15-16

Assuming it is John, notice the implication of being well-off enough to be known by the High Priest.

It was to Peter and John that Mary reported Jesus’ resurrection.

 John 20:1-8

John evidently had a special relationship with Jesus. He refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

John 13:23
 

 

He is identified as such once again. 

John 21:20-24

It was to John that Jesus gave care of his mother.

John 19:25-27

John had a key role in the early church. During this time, his relationship with Peter continued. They went to the Temple together.
Acts 3:1

 

It was Peter and John who boldly faced the Sanhedrin council together.
Acts 4:13, 19-20

 

Peter and John travel to Samaria to bring the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the new disciples
Acts 8:14-15

John is called a pillar in the church in Jerusalem.

Galatians 2:9

It appears he remained in Jerusalem for at least 21 years

Acts 8:14, which we read earlier, mentions Peter and John being sent from Jerusalem.
Paul mentions seeing John in Jerusalem fourteen years after his conversion.

Galatians 2:1

But John is not mentioned as being present during Paul’s last visit to Jerusalem.

Secular writings state that John, late in life, moved to Ephesus. Irenaeus, c. 180 AD wrote, “John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.”

It was probably from here that he was arrested and sent to Patmos. Secular history tells us that Domitian tried to have John boiled alive in oil at the Coliseum in Rome. When John was placed in the pot of boiling oil, he was unharmed. It is said that many in the Coliseum that day converted.

Revelation 1:9

It should be noted that the churches selected for letters are those in Asia Minor.

Revelation 1:10-11

 

 

Clement of Alexandria, c. 195 A.D. wrote, “Listen to a tale, which is not a tale but a narrative, handed down and committed to the custody of memory, about the apostle John. On the tyrant’s death, John returned to Ephesus from the isle of Patmos. He then traveled to the adjoining territories of the nations, being invited here to appoint bishops, there to set in order whole churches, there to ordain such men as were marked out by the Spirit.”

He is said to have been buried in Ephesus. Polycrates, 190 A.D. wrote, “John, who reclined on the Lord’s breast ... rests at Ephesus.”

The writings of John are found in the New Testament.  It is surprising that one of the sons of thunder becomes known as the apostle of love. Love is emphasized in the four books that bear his name
John 3:16
I John 4:7-21
II John 1: 1-3
III John 1: 1
 

 

Still when John had displayed his temper, Jesus corrected him.

Luke 9:54-56 

Those rebukes obviously left a deep impression on John. It is likely because of his long life and being the last surviving apostle that he addressed some of his later letters as being from “the elder”.

 

It is good to be reminded at times that the people involved in the Scriptures where real people. People develop. Events shape their lives. They are a lot like us. They shared their lives with us through their writings.  

I John 1:1-4

Today is an opportunity to make John’s joy complete concerning your own life. We have been taught what God requires of those who He will save. Have you believed Him? Have you repented of your past sins? Have you made the public confession of faith in Him as the Messiah? Have you been immersed in water to have your sins washed away? Do you strive to live faithfully every day? 

 

If you answered NO to any one of these, you need to search the Scriptures further to see that you are in danger of being lost eternally? Why not come now, obey God and be saved.