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[[File:Apostle-John.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|Stain glass depiction of John the Apostle.]]

[[File:Apostle-John.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|Stain glass depiction of John the Apostle.]]

{{See also|Mystery: Was John a Samaritan}}''?''

{{See also|Mystery: Was John a Samaritan}}''?''

'''John the Apostle''' (Saint John in [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions), also known as '''John the Evangelist''', '''John the Presbyter''', '''John the Revelator''', and '''John of Patmos''', was a disciple of [[Jesus]] along with his brother [[James the Apostle|James]]. The sons of Zebedee, the pair were nicknamed Boanerges (by Jesus), meaning "sons of thunder."  Originally a disciple of [[John the Baptist]] along with [[Andrew the Apostle|Andrew]], they turned to follow Jesus to become "fishers of men."  John is called the "disciple whom Jesus loved" and is the author of the fourth gospel, [[Gospel of John|The Gospel of John]].  John was with Jesus throughout his ministry, he stood faithfully at the [[Cross]] and raced to the tomb when he heard that Jesus's body was no longer there.

'''John the Apostle''' (Saint John in [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions), also known as '''John the Evangelist''', '''John the Presbyter''', '''John the Revelator''', and '''John of Patmos''', was a disciple of [[Jesus]] along with his brother [[James the Apostle|James]]. They were the sons of Zebedee, and the pair was humorously nicknamed Boanerges (by Jesus), meaning "sons of thunder."  Originally disciples of [[John the Baptist]] along with [[Andrew the Apostle|Andrew]], they turned to follow Jesus to become "fishers of men."  John is called the "disciple whom Jesus loved" and is the author of the fourth gospel, [[Gospel of John|The Gospel of John]].  John was with Jesus throughout his ministry, he stood faithfully at the [[Cross]] and raced to the tomb as soon as he heard that Jesus's body was no longer there.  John then immediately believed in the [[Resurrection]].

John emphasized "life" and especially "[[eternal life]]." Most of the references to "eternal life" in the [[Bible]] are in [[Gospel of John]] and [[1 John]], and none is in the [[Old Testament]]. Nearly 40% of the references to "life" in the [[New Testament]] are by John, while only 20% of its total words were by him. Overall, John is the third most prolific writer in the New Testament, behind [[Luke]] (27.5% of the New Testament) and [[Paul]] (23.5%).

John emphasized "life" and especially "[[eternal life]]." Most of the references to "eternal life" in the [[Bible]] are in [[Gospel of John]] and [[1 John]], and none is in the [[Old Testament]]. Nearly 40% of the references to "life" in the [[New Testament]] are by John, while only 20% of its total words were by him. Overall, John is the third most prolific writer in the New Testament, behind [[Luke]] (27.5% of the New Testament) and [[Paul]] (23.5%).

It is very likely that John was a [[Samaritan]],<ref>''See'' [[Mystery: Was John a Samaritan|Mystery:Was John a Samaritan?]]</ref> and his Gospel speaks of the love of [[God]] for the entire world, see {{bible ref|John|3|16}}.  The ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'' repeats but rejects a false narrative of John being resistant to extend [[Christianity]] to all.<ref>Without support, the ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'' declares that John's mother was [[Salome]], who was most likely [[Mark]]'s mother instead.</ref>

John was likely a [[Samaritan]] or another diverse ethnicity,<ref>''See'' [[Mystery: Was John a Samaritan|Mystery:Was John a Samaritan?]]</ref> and his Gospel speaks of the love of [[God]] for the entire world, see {{bible ref|John|3|16}}.  The ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'' repeats but rejects a false narrative of John being resistant to extend [[Christianity]] to all.

John was likely younger, and ostensibly less significant, than his brother the Apostle James, given that John was referenced in the Gospels merely as the "brother of James," and John may have been merely a teenager during the ministry of Jesus.  For example, Mark 3:17 introduces John this way:  "James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James," which strongly suggests that James was the older son of Zebedee, and John was James' younger brother.<ref>Quoting [[ESV]]. See also: Mark 5:37.</ref> (''see [[Mystery: Was John the Apostle a child]]?'')

John was likely younger, and ostensibly less significant, than his brother the Apostle James, given that John was referenced in the Gospels merely as the "brother of James," and John may have been merely a teenager during the ministry of Jesus.  For example, Mark 3:17 introduces John this way:  "James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James," which strongly suggests that James was the older son of Zebedee, and John was James' younger brother.<ref>Quoting [[ESV]]. See also: Mark 5:37.</ref> (''See [[Mystery: Was John the Apostle a child]]?'')

John's later life was passed chiefly in [[Jerusalem]] and at Ephesus. He founded many churches in Asia Minor. Apart from the Gospel of John, John also wrote the biblical books of [[I John]], [[II John]], [[III John]], and the book of [[Revelation]] while exiled on the island of Patmos; only the Apostle Paul wrote more books of the New Testament. In recent years, extensive [[liberal denial]] by contemporary "scholars" claim that John the Apostle not only was ''not'' the author of Revelation, but also that he supposedly wrote ''none'' of the Johannine works.

John's later life was passed chiefly in [[Jerusalem]] and at Ephesus. He founded many churches in Asia Minor. Apart from the Gospel of John, John also wrote the biblical books of [[I John]], [[II John]], [[III John]], and the book of [[Revelation]] while exiled on the island of Patmos; only the Apostle Paul wrote more books of the New Testament. In recent years, extensive [[liberal denial]] by contemporary "scholars" claim that John the Apostle not only was ''not'' the author of the [[Book of Revelation]], but also that he supposedly wrote ''none'' of the Johannine works.

Tradition holds that John was the only one of [[the disciples]] who was not [[martyr]]ed.  He died of old age in exile.

Tradition holds that John was the only one of [[the disciples]] who was not [[martyr]]ed.  He died of old age in exile.

*John 21:21–23 (describes Peter asking [[Jesus]] about John, and clarifying what Jesus said)

*John 21:21–23 (describes Peter asking [[Jesus]] about John, and clarifying what Jesus said)

Given the likelihood of John's young age at the time, such a rivalry may have been motivated by age differences, as youngsters often exhibit eager tendencies to outdo their older peers.

Given the likelihood of John's young age at the time, such a rivalry may have been motivated by age differences, as youngsters often exhibit eager tendencies to outdo their older peers. Without support, the ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'' declares that John's mother was [[Salome]], who was most likely [[Mark]]'s mother instead.

==See also==

==See also==

[[Category:12 Disciples]]

[[Category:12 Disciples]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Saints]]