John the Man

Wikipedia Page

If you were to look up a famous person on the web you will find as most likely the very first option to click on Wikipedia. When you click on that page you right at the top you will read a brief bio about the person. Something about when and where they were born and a few sentences about why they are famous. Then it will do a deeper dive into their background starting first with where they were born and their childhood years. Then you will see something about their education and likely who they knew and who they married. As they become adults you will see the details about why they are famous and the people, places, events, timelines, even speeches, they gave. It is a summary of their lives.

That is what we have been trying to accomplish at least in part with the Writers of the New Testament. This is not meant to give you every insight into their lives but just enough for us to know a little bit about them in order to understand why they wrote what they wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Up to this point we have looked at John Mark (The potential naked young man at the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew (The Tax Collector), and Luke (the physician). These men wrote what we call the synoptic Gospels which means they attempt to put the timeline as well as the teachings of Jesus together into a chronological and understandable format. Another aspect about these three authors, which is unfortunate for us, is that none of them signed their work, leaving us with the task of determining if they were the authors and much of what we have to go on is intuition and church tradition. Today as we start a new author we are going to see that John continues this tradition of not signing his work as most of the 5 books we attribute to John are unsigned and Revelation which is signed is so different then the other 4 it is hard to say it is the same John and yet we believe it to be so.

Let’s look at John the Apostle and get a glimpse of his life.

John the Son of Zebedee

We know a bit more about John than we can know about Mark, Matthew and Luke because of how much John wrote but more importantly we know a lot about him because of Mark, Matthew and Luke. They each gave information about John as one of the Apostles and not just any apostle but one of what we could consider the inner circle. Peter, James and John seem to be part of that inner circle of the disciples whom Jesus had with him often even without the rest of the disciples.

Who were John’s Family?

Who is John’s Dad?

Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, and from scripture we can infer that he was wealthy in his fishing endeavors - Mark 1:20 “And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.” The mere fact that Zebedee not only had his sons working for him, which would have been pretty normal, but that he had other hired servants tells us that his fishing business was successful. While this is true it also appears that Zebedee is not the owner of the business but instead a potential partner with none other than Peter (Luke 5:10 “and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.””)

Who is John’s Mom?

John’s mother is an interesting dive into a process of elimination. We know from Matthew 27:55–56 “And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” So the mother of the son’s of Zebedee was there at the Crucifixion, serving and worshiping Jesus right up to the end. Now we have to compare that to the list of women who were there in Marks Gospel. Mark 15:40–41 “There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.” Therefore our Mother by process of elimination is Salome. Interesting theory that cannot be proven is given in another process of elimination. John 19:25 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” In this list we have 3 Marys and an unnamed sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. Is this Salome? There is nothing saying that it is and there is nothing saying it isn’t. Interesting.

Who is John’s Brother?

The last part of this is pretty easy. John is the younger brother of James. Mark 1:19 “When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.” We are pretty sure that John is the younger brother because whenever they are mentioned together James is mentioned first. Matthew 10:2 “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;”

The brothers are nicknamed by Jesus, Boanerges (bO-a-ner-jies) Mark 3:17 “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”;” Clearly a reference to their fiery attitudes although it is believed that John was the calmer of the two and James the more flamboyant and crazy. But the words we have from John in the Gospel accounts definitely leave us with the feel of a fiery individual.

Mark 9:38–41 “Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Luke 9:51–56 “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.”

Add to this the gull of these two along with their mother coming to Jesus to ask this question. Matthew 20:20–23 “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.””

Early life

We know John’s family and we know a bit about his occupation. However, we know nothing about his upbringing so we can say for certain that he grew up there on the Sea of Galilee but their occupation being what it is we can at least assume it to be so. Scholar’s believe this to be some where around the region of Bethsaida which is on the north eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee and since Bethsaida is considered to be the hometown of Peter and Andrew it makes sense that James and John would be from there as well.

Rose Then and Now Bible Map Atlas with Biblical Background and Culture Chapter 24: John: Someone Who Deserved the Last Word

Bethsaida, where dark basaltic soil and an abundance of fresh water join in a bounded plain that reflects the exuberance of nature. Southward toward the sea the Bethsaida Plain gives way to marshes, estuaries and inlets, a tangled mass of green-meets-blue teeming with wildlife, a fisherman’s paradise.

From this fishing enterprise Peter and Andrew were called to follow Jesus but almost immediately James and John joined as well. And as we look at the end of Jesus’ life and the fact that Salome was there to attend Jesus it looks like following Jesus was a family affair.

Disciple of Jesus

Once Jesus calls James and John follow and from the scripture we see no hesitation. Matthew 4:18–22 “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

This solidifies John into the inner circle of the disciples. We see many times throughout scripture when Jesus was going some place special he took with Him the same three men Peter, James and John. In fact this feeling of being special is probably what drove him to ask Jesus for the seat at His side when Jesus’ kingdom is in place. But it appears that John never lost this special feeling for the author of John whom we believe to be John references himself often as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

John 13:23 “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.”

John 21:7 “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.”

This last one I put out of order because it is here where John is singled out for a special duty. John 19:26 “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!””

And special John was because Jesus chose Him along with Peter and James to join Him often.

Mark 5:35–43 “While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.”

Mark 9:1–6 “And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.”

Mark 14:32–34 “Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.””

And when Jesus needed the Passover set up He called on Peter and John to do the work. Luke 22:8 “And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.””

We rarely see John mentioned alone but in one of those times we get a glimpse of John’s zealousness.

Mark 9:38 “Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”” Here we see that John is doing the work of the ministry but he is perhaps a bit intolerant of anyone else who may also be doing the work. This intolerance may also be why he wanted the position next to Jesus as well as the reason why Jesus gave him the name of “Sons of Thunder” along side his brother James.

The End

I want to briefly come to the end of John’s life because he is really one of the few disciples we are pretty sure we know what happen to them. We can piece together a few things from the Bible, early historians and, early church tradition.

James his brother was the first of the apostles to be martyred Acts 12:1–2 “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.”

This lead to the Jerusalem church leaders eventually leaving Jerusalem and John lived many years in Ephesus a city on the cost of Ancient Greece but what is today near Selcuk, Turkey.

John for some reason is banished by Rome to the island of Patmos. The reason for the banishment is lost to history, but most likely it is for failing to worship the Emperor. Patmos is a small, volcanic rock island and banishment to the island was considered a death sentence. It is believed that John was around 80 years old at the time of his banishment and it is from the isle of Patmos that John receives the visions which he wrote down in the book of Revelation. The historian Jerome recorded that John was released from Patmos around AD 96 or 97 and died most likely in AD 98.