© Illustration by Michael Woodruff
Bible Personalities: John
Five times John refers to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved. During His last evening, Christ said one of His disciples would betray Him. Peter motioned to John to ask who—an indication of that caring relationship.
On the stake, Christ said to Mary, “Dear woman behold your son” and to John, “behold your mother”. From then she stayed in John’s home (John 19:25-27). John’s mother Salome and Jesus’ mother Mary appear to have been sisters, making John a first cousin of Jesus.
John operated a successful fishing business. Apparently, he had been a follower of John the Baptist (John 1:35, 40). Christ then called him to a role in His inner circle.
God inspired John to write five books of Scripture; his gospel, three epistles, and Revelation. John’s gospel relates a more intimate narrative than the other three. Thereby it completes the picture of Jesus’ life and teachings. John's temperament and life of godly love equipped him to write expressly about how such love contrasts the human version. 1 John 4:8 summarizes God’s nature: “God is love.”
Roman Emperor Domitian (81-86 AD) banished John, then in his 90’s, to the Aegean island of Patmos. There, Christ delivered prophecies to John. He revealed the transition from tumult at the time of the end to a restored paradise on earth. Learn more about John at:
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