Saint John the Apostle
The young Galilean fisherman linked to the fourth Gospel
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Apostle, Evangelist
- Life
- d. ~100
- Era
- 1st century
- Feast
- 27 December
- Countries
- Israel, Türkiye
Life story
John was the son of Zebedee and the brother of James, and he fished on the Sea of Galilee. Along with Peter and James he belonged to the three closest disciples. The Gospels place him near the crucifixion, and in the fourth Gospel Jesus entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple, whom Christian tradition identifies with John.
The Acts of the Apostles often shows him alongside Peter in the first years of the Jerusalem community. Paul mentions him in his letter to the Galatians as one of the pillars of the Church there. Very early tradition, recorded by Church Fathers such as Irenaeus of Lyon, says that he later lived at Ephesus in Asia Minor.
The fourth Gospel, three letters and the Book of Revelation have traditionally been attached to his name, although scholars still debate whether they share one author. According to Irenaeus and Eusebius, John lived to an old age, into the reign of Trajan, and died at Ephesus around the year 100. He is usually described as the only apostle who did not die a martyr. Another tradition says that he was once exiled to the island of Patmos. His feast is kept on 27 December, and in the Eastern Churches he is often given the title the Theologian. Ephesus, where tradition places his last years, was one of the largest cities of the Roman province of Asia, and the ruins of a church traditionally linked to his burial can still be visited there today.
Works and witness
- Galilean fisherman, one of the three closest disciples
- Present at the cross according to the fourth Gospel
- Described by Paul as one of the pillars of the Jerusalem Church
- Tradition links him to the fourth Gospel, three letters and Revelation
- According to tradition, lived at Ephesus and died around 100
Saints from the same country
References
- Tân Ước: Tin Mừng Gioan, Công vụ Tông đồ, thư Galát (New Testament: John, Acts, Galatians)
- Irenaeus of Lyon, Adversus Haereses
- Eusebius, Church History
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.