Apostle and son of Zebedee
John
Named in 35 verses across 6 books, first in Matthew 4:21.
ἸωάννηςJohn
ΒοανεργέςBoanerges
Also called Boanerges.
The name means “the grace or mercy of the Lord.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About John Written by AI
John, the son of Zebedee, is a prominent figure in the New Testament. He is one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus and is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). John worked as a fisherman alongside his brother James and their father Zebedee (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19). Throughout the Gospels, John is depicted as a close companion of Jesus. He witnesses significant events, including the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2), and is present during Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). He is also noted for his role in the early church, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles, where he actively preached and performed miracles (Acts 3:1 to 4). John is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of John, three epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John), and the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:1). In Revelation, he describes visions of the end times and the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2). John's contributions to the New Testament and his close relationship with Jesus have established him as a pivotal figure in Christian tradition. His writings emphasize love, faith, and the divinity of Christ.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name John, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
(1.) One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John (Acts 4:6). He was of the kindred of the high priest; otherwise unknown.
(2.) The Hebrew name of Mark (q.v.). He is designated by this name in the acts of the Apostles (12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37).
Read the rest of the entry
(3.) THE APOSTLE, brother of James the “Greater” (Matt. 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; 3:17; 10:35). He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee (Matt. 4:21) and Salome (Matt. 27:56; comp. Mark 15:40), and was born at Bethsaida. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (comp. Mark 1:20; Luke 5:3; John 19:27). He was doubtless trained in all that constituted the ordinary education of Jewish youth. When he grew up he followed the occupation of a fisherman on the Lake of Galilee. When John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness of Judea, John, with many others, gathered round him, and was deeply influenced by his teaching. There he heard the announcement, “Behold the Lamb of God,” and forthwith, on the invitation of Jesus, became a disciple and ranked among his followers (John 1:36, 37) for a time. He and his brother then returned to their former avocation, for how long is uncertain. Jesus again called them (Matt. 4: 21; Luke 5:1-11), and now they left all and permanently attached themselves to the company of his disciples. He became one of the innermost circle (Mark 5:37; Matt. 17:1; 26:37; Mark 13:3). He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. In zeal and intensity of character he was a “Boanerges” (Mark 3:17). This spirit once and again broke out (Matt. 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41; Luke 9:49, 54). At the betrayal he and Peter follow Christ afar off, while the others betake themselves to hasty flight (John 18:15). At the trial he follows Christ into the council chamber, and thence to the praetorium (18:16, 19, 28) and to the place of crucifixion (19:26, 27). To him and Peter, Mary first conveys tidings of the resurrection (20:2), and they are the first to go and see what her strange words mean. After the resurrection he and Peter again return to the Sea of Galilee, where the Lord reveals himself to them (21:1, 7). We find Peter and John frequently after this together (Acts 3:1; 4:13). John remained apparently in Jerusalem as the leader of the church there (Acts 15:6; Gal. 2:9). His subsequent history is unrecorded. He was not there, however, at the time of Paul’s last visit (Acts 21:15-40). He appears to have retired to Ephesus, but at what time is unknown. The seven churches of Asia were the objects of his special care (Rev. 1:11). He suffered under persecution, and was banished to Patmos (1:9); whence he again returned to Ephesus, where he died, probably about A.D. 98, having outlived all or nearly all the friends and companions even of his maturer years. There are many interesting traditions regarding John during his residence at Ephesus, but these cannot claim the character of historical truth.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Matthew 4:21
Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,
- Matthew 10:2
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
- Matthew 17:1
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
- Mark 1:19
Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.
- Mark 1:29
As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
- Mark 3:17
James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
- Mark 5:37
And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
- Mark 9:2
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them.
- Mark 9:38
John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
- Mark 10:35
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
- Mark 10:41
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
- Mark 13:3
While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
- Mark 14:33
He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
- Luke 5:10
and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”
- Luke 6:14
Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
- Luke 8:51
When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.
- Luke 9:28
About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.
- Luke 9:49
“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
- Luke 9:54
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
- Luke 22:8
Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
- Acts 1:13
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
- Acts 3:1
One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
- Acts 3:3
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
- Acts 3:4
Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter.
- Acts 3:11
While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade.
- Acts 4:13
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.
- Acts 4:19
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
- Acts 8:14
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
- Acts 12:2
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
- Galatians 2:9
And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
- Revelation 1:1
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,
- Revelation 1:4
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne,
- Revelation 1:9
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.
- Revelation 21:2
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- Revelation 22:8
And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.