John son of Zebedee
Also known as: The Beloved Disciple, Boanerges (Son of Thunder), John the Evangelist, John the Apostle
Apostle · The Beloved Disciple
Key Events
- 1Leaned on Jesus at the Last Supper
- 2Stood at the cross — received care of Mary
- 3First apostle to the empty tomb
- 4Worked with Peter in early church
- 5Exiled to Patmos — wrote Revelation
- 6Tradition: lived to old age in Ephesus
What Scripture Says (115 verses)
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Matthew · Chapter 3
And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Matthew · Chapter 3
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Matthew · Chapter 3
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Matthew · Chapter 3
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Matthew · Chapter 4
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Matthew · Chapter 4
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
Matthew · Chapter 9
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Matthew · Chapter 10
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Matthew · Chapter 11
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
Matthew · Chapter 11
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Church Tradition
Death
Tradition: died of old age — only apostle not martyred
Location: Ephesus (tradition)
Source: Eusebius, Church History III.23 (citing Irenaeus, who knew Polycarp, who knew John)
Eusebius (Church History III.23, citing Irenaeus) records that John lived in Ephesus until the reign of Trajan (98-117 AD) and died of old age. Irenaeus had known Polycarp, who had been a disciple of John — making this a strong chain of testimony. Eusebius also records John's exile to Patmos under Domitian (III.18).