Difference between revisions of "John the Apostle" - New World Encyclopedia
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==In the Bible== | ==In the Bible== | ||
| − | John the Apostle was the son of [[Zebedee]], and the brother of [[Saint James the Great|James]]. | + | John the Apostle was the son of [[Zebedee]], and the brother of [[Saint James the Great|James]]. One tradition gives his mother's name as [[Salome (disciple)|Salome]]. John and his brother originally were fishermen and fished with their father in the [[Lake of Genesareth]]. According to the Gospel of John, John the Apostle was a follower of [[John the Baptist]] before leaving John's group and joining Jesus to become one of the inner group of 12 [[disciple]]s. |
| − | John had a prominent position | + | John had a prominent position among the disciples. [[Saint Peter|Peter]], [[James the less|James]] and John were the only witnesses to the raising of [[Jairus]]' daughter (Mark 5:37), to the [[Transfiguration]] (Matthew 17:1), and to the Jesus agony in the Garden of [[Gethsemane]] (Matthew 26:37). He and Peter were sent into the city to make the preparation for the final [[Passover]] meal (the [[Last Supper]]) (Luke 22:8). At the meal itself—assuming John was indeed the same person as the "disciple whom Jesus loved"—his place was next to Jesus, on whose chest he leaned (John 13:23). According to tradition, John was also the "other disciple" who, with Peter, followed Jesus after the arrest into the palace of the high-priest (John 18:15). John, though still unnamed, was the only one of the twelve who remained near Jesus at the foot of the cross on [[Calvary]] with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and the other pious women. He was instructed by Jesus to take Mary into his care as Jesus' last instruction on earth (John 19:25-27). |
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| + | After the [[Resurrection]], John and Peter were the first of the disciples to run toward Jesus grave and the unnamed John was the first to believe that Jesus had truly risen (John 20:2-10). After Jesus’ [[Ascension of Jesus Christ|Ascension]] and the descent of the [[Holy Spirit]], John took, together with Peter, a prominent part in the founding and guidance of the church. He is with Peter at the healing of the lame man in the Temple (Acts 3:1 seq.). With Peter he is also thrown into prison (Acts 4:3). He is also with Peter visiting the newly converted in [[Samaria]] (Acts 8:14). | ||
{{John}} | {{John}} | ||
| − | There is no positive information concerning the duration of this activity in [[Iudaea Province|Judea]]. | + | There is no positive information concerning the duration of this activity in [[Iudaea Province|Judea]]. It is assumed that John, in common with the other Apostles, remained some 12 years in this first field of labor, until the persecution of Herod [[Agrippa I]] led to the scattering of the apostles through the various provinces of the Roman Empire (cf. Acts 12:1-17). |
| + | |||
| + | Some interpret the [[Book of Acts]] to indicate that a community of believers in Jesus was already in existence at Ephesus before Paul's first visit there (cf. "the brethren," Acts 18:27, in addition to Priscilla and Aquila). Some thus hold that John went to [[Asia Minor]] and was the first to exercise the apostolic office in various provinces there. Moreover, the fact that the Holy Spirit reportedly did not permit Paul, on his second missionary journey to proclaim the Gospel in Asia, Mysia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6 sq.), may refer to John's previous missionary activity there. | ||
| − | + | Less speculatively, John seems to have been present for apostolic [[Council of Jerusalem]] (c. 51 C.E.) described in Acts 15, since Paul John explicitly along with Peter and [[James the Just]] one of the "pillars of the church" there. | |
| − | + | Of the other [[New Testament]] writings, it is only from the three epistles of John and the [[Book of Revelation]] that anything further is learned about John, and this information depends on whether one accepts him as the author of these works or not. If so he lived for a long time in [[Asia Minor]], was thoroughly acquainted with the conditions existing in the various messianic communities there (called the "seven churches" in the Book of Revelation), and had a position of authority recognized by some, but apparently not all of the churches in this region. Both Revelation and the eistles speak of various schisms and heresies which had arisen, against which the author writes. In addition, the letter known as [[3 John]] indicates that its author has been rejected by some of the leaders with whom he has communicated. Revelation adds that its author was on the island of Patmos "for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus," (Revelation 1:9), meaning that he had become of "[[confessor]]" who had apparently been exiled to Patmos on account of his faith. | |
| − | John | + | ==Other traditions concerning John== |
| + | Catholic and Orthodox tradition say that John, together with the [[the Virgin Mary]], moved to Ephesus, where both eventually died. According to [[Tertullian]], John was banished (presumably to Patmos) after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and miraculously suffering nothing from it. Some believe his tomb is located at [[Selçuk]], a small town in the vicinity of Ephesus. | ||
| − | + | When John was old he is believed to have trained the future Saint [[Polycarp]], Bishop of Smyrna. Through this trading Polycarp is thought to have carried John's message as apostolic authority to a new generation, until he himself became a martyr for the faith. | |
| − | + | John is revered as a [[saint]] by most of [[Christianity]]. The [[Roman Catholic Church]] commemorates him on December 27, and he is also remembered in the liturgy on January 3. The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] commemorates him on September 26, and also remembers him on May 8, on which date Christians used to draw forth from his grave fine ashes which were believed to be effective for healing the sick. | |
In art, John as the presumed author of the Gospel is often depicted with an eagle, which symbolizes the height he rose to in the first chapter of his gospel. | In art, John as the presumed author of the Gospel is often depicted with an eagle, which symbolizes the height he rose to in the first chapter of his gospel. | ||
Revision as of 03:58, 12 July 2008
| John the Apostle | |
|---|---|
 St. John the Apostle by Hans Memling | |
| The Divine, Apostle of Charity, Beloved Apostle Evangelist | |
| Born | c. 6 C.E. in Galilee, in the Holy Land[1] |
| Died | c. 101 in Ephesus, Asia Minor |
| Venerated in | All Christianity |
| Feast | December 27 (Western Christianity) May 8 (Eastern Christianity) |
| Attributes | book, a serpent in a chalice, cauldron, eagle |
| Patronage | authors, burns, poisoning, theologians, publishers, booksellers, editors, friendships, and painters |
John the Apostle (Greek Ιωάννης, see names of John) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Christian tradition identifies him with the authors of several New Testament works, including the Gospel of John.
Identifications
John the Apostle has been identified in some traditions as the author of all of all the New Testament works attributed to a writer named John. However, in modern times several authors are often suggested for these works.
The creator of the Gospel of John usually known as John the Evangelist, John the Theologian, or John the Divine. This text contains references to the "disciple whom Jesus loved," traditionally this was taken as a self-reference by the author, and therefore a reference to John the Apostle.
The writer(s) of the epistles of John calls himself simply the presbyter (elder), and numerous theories have been suggested about the relationship of these letters to the Gospel of John and to each other.
The Book of Revelation is the only one of the texts which actually claims to have been written by a person named John. This author is usually known as John of Patmos or John the Revelator. Most evangelical Christians continue to hold that all New Testament "John" books were written by John the son of Zebedee. The apocryphal second-century Gnostic text called the Secret Book of John was also attributed to John, though not by the established orthodox Christian traditions.
In the Bible
John the Apostle was the son of Zebedee, and the brother of James. One tradition gives his mother's name as Salome. John and his brother originally were fishermen and fished with their father in the Lake of Genesareth. According to the Gospel of John, John the Apostle was a follower of John the Baptist before leaving John's group and joining Jesus to become one of the inner group of 12 disciples.
John had a prominent position among the disciples. Peter, James and John were the only witnesses to the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37), to the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1), and to the Jesus agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). He and Peter were sent into the city to make the preparation for the final Passover meal (the Last Supper) (Luke 22:8). At the meal itself—assuming John was indeed the same person as the "disciple whom Jesus loved"—his place was next to Jesus, on whose chest he leaned (John 13:23). According to tradition, John was also the "other disciple" who, with Peter, followed Jesus after the arrest into the palace of the high-priest (John 18:15). John, though still unnamed, was the only one of the twelve who remained near Jesus at the foot of the cross on Calvary with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and the other pious women. He was instructed by Jesus to take Mary into his care as Jesus' last instruction on earth (John 19:25-27).
After the Resurrection, John and Peter were the first of the disciples to run toward Jesus grave and the unnamed John was the first to believe that Jesus had truly risen (John 20:2-10). After Jesus’ Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit, John took, together with Peter, a prominent part in the founding and guidance of the church. He is with Peter at the healing of the lame man in the Temple (Acts 3:1 seq.). With Peter he is also thrown into prison (Acts 4:3). He is also with Peter visiting the newly converted in Samaria (Acts 8:14). Template:John There is no positive information concerning the duration of this activity in Judea. It is assumed that John, in common with the other Apostles, remained some 12 years in this first field of labor, until the persecution of Herod Agrippa I led to the scattering of the apostles through the various provinces of the Roman Empire (cf. Acts 12:1-17).
Some interpret the Book of Acts to indicate that a community of believers in Jesus was already in existence at Ephesus before Paul's first visit there (cf. "the brethren," Acts 18:27, in addition to Priscilla and Aquila). Some thus hold that John went to Asia Minor and was the first to exercise the apostolic office in various provinces there. Moreover, the fact that the Holy Spirit reportedly did not permit Paul, on his second missionary journey to proclaim the Gospel in Asia, Mysia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6 sq.), may refer to John's previous missionary activity there.
Less speculatively, John seems to have been present for apostolic Council of Jerusalem (c. 51 C.E.) described in Acts 15, since Paul John explicitly along with Peter and James the Just one of the "pillars of the church" there.
Of the other New Testament writings, it is only from the three epistles of John and the Book of Revelation that anything further is learned about John, and this information depends on whether one accepts him as the author of these works or not. If so he lived for a long time in Asia Minor, was thoroughly acquainted with the conditions existing in the various messianic communities there (called the "seven churches" in the Book of Revelation), and had a position of authority recognized by some, but apparently not all of the churches in this region. Both Revelation and the eistles speak of various schisms and heresies which had arisen, against which the author writes. In addition, the letter known as 3 John indicates that its author has been rejected by some of the leaders with whom he has communicated. Revelation adds that its author was on the island of Patmos "for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus," (Revelation 1:9), meaning that he had become of "confessor" who had apparently been exiled to Patmos on account of his faith.
Other traditions concerning John
Catholic and Orthodox tradition say that John, together with the the Virgin Mary, moved to Ephesus, where both eventually died. According to Tertullian, John was banished (presumably to Patmos) after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and miraculously suffering nothing from it. Some believe his tomb is located at Selçuk, a small town in the vicinity of Ephesus.
When John was old he is believed to have trained the future Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Through this trading Polycarp is thought to have carried John's message as apostolic authority to a new generation, until he himself became a martyr for the faith.
John is revered as a saint by most of Christianity. The Roman Catholic Church commemorates him on December 27, and he is also remembered in the liturgy on January 3. The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates him on September 26, and also remembers him on May 8, on which date Christians used to draw forth from his grave fine ashes which were believed to be effective for healing the sick.
In art, John as the presumed author of the Gospel is often depicted with an eagle, which symbolizes the height he rose to in the first chapter of his gospel.
Notes
- ↑ John the Divine, Apostle and Evangelist (RM) - Retrieved November 21, 2007.
External links
All links retrieved November 21, 2007.
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