The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
John the Apostle
Also known as the Beloved Disciple
c. 6 – c. 100 · Apostle · Elder of Ephesus · Galilee → Ephesus
The Apostolic Fathers
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Who John the Apostle was
Son of Zebedee, one of the fishermen Jesus called “sons of thunder,” John belonged with Peter and his brother James to the inner three, and tradition identifies him with the unnamed “disciple whom Jesus loved” who leaned on his breast at supper and received his mother at the cross. Alone of the Twelve he is said to have died in peace — but not in quiet: exiled to Patmos under Domitian, then settled at Ephesus, where Irenaeus (on Polycarp’s memory) says he lived into Trajan’s reign, past his ninetieth year. Jerome preserves the old man’s single ceaseless sermon: “Little children, love one another… it is the Lord’s command, and if this alone be done, it is enough.”
Common questions
When did John live?
John the Apostle is dated c. 6 – c. 100 in the archive, which places John in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
What did John write?
John the Apostle has 5 catalogued writings in the archive: The Gospel according to John, First Epistle of John, Revelation and The Second Epistle of John (trad.; also treated under John the Presbyter), and 1 more.
Which early sources mention John?
John the Apostle is named in 4 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyon, Polycrates of Ephesus and Clement of Alexandria. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was John from?
The archive associates John the Apostle with Galilee, Ephesus. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Writings (5)
The Gospel according to John
c. 90–100In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory.Read the full text ↗
First Epistle of John
c. 95–100That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life… that declare we unto you.Read the full text ↗
Revelation
c. 95I John, who also am your brother… was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.Read the full text ↗
The Second Epistle of John (trad.; also treated under John the Presbyter)
c. 90–100And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.Read the full text ↗
The Third Epistle of John (trad.; also treated under John the Presbyter)
c. 90–100Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God.Read the full text ↗
Primary-source mentions (4)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Dialogue with Trypho 81 (named as the seer of the Apocalypse)
c. AD 160There was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him.Justin Martyr · Dialogue 81 · source text
Against Heresies III.3.4
c. AD 180The church in Ephesus, founded by Paul, and having John remaining among them permanently until the times of Trajan, is a true witness of the tradition of the apostles.Irenaeus of Lyon · III.3.4 · source text
Polycrates, via Eusebius V.24
c. AD 195…John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord… he fell asleep at Ephesus.Polycrates of Ephesus · V.24 · source text
Clement of Alexandria, via Ecclesiastical History III.23 (John and the young robber)
c. AD 200Listen to a tale, which is not a mere tale, but a narrative concerning John the apostle, which has been handed down and treasured up in memory.Clement of Alexandria · Ecclesiastical History III.23 · source text
Connected in the archive
Teacher of Polycarp and Papias; by tradition Ignatius also sat under him
People
- Polycarp of Smyrna
- Papias of Hierapolis
- Ignatius of Antioch
- Simon Peter
- Lazarus of Bethany
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary of Bethany
- James, son of Zebedee
- Mary, the Mother of Jesus
- Andrew the Apostle
- Thomas the Apostle
- Prochorus the Deacon
- Antipas of Pergamum
- The Elect Lady
- Emperor Domitian
- Timothy of Lystra
- Emperor Nerva
- Cerinthus
- Gaius, Friend of the Elder
- John the Presbyter (“The Elder”)
- Aristion
- Irenaeus of Lyon
- Nathanael of Cana
- Jairus
- Bartimaeus
- Jesus of Nazareth
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
- AD 96 · Rome writes to Corinth: 1 Clement, AD 96
Place
Places served
The 11 places the sources put John, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route. 10 stops are marked with the company: the source places this figure’s company there rather than naming the figure at it.
- 1GalileeWith him through the towns of Galileewith the companyMark 1:39; Matthew 4:23
- 2NazarethCame into his own country, and his disciples followed himwith the companyMark 6:1
- 3CapernaumThe house at Capernaum, where he taught the Twelvewith the companyMark 9:33
- 4BethsaidaWithdrew there with the Twelve; the five thousand fedwith the companyLuke 9:10
- 5TyreWithdrew into its borders; the disciples came to himwith the companyMark 7:24; Matthew 15:23
- 6SidonReturned by Sidon to the sea of Galileewith the companyMark 7:31
- 7Caesarea PhilippiOn the road he asked the disciples who men said he waswith the companyMark 8:27
- 8JerichoWent out of Jericho with his discipleswith the companyMark 10:46
- 9BethanyLodged there with the Twelve through Passion weekwith the companyMark 11:11–12
- 10JerusalemEntered the temple with the Twelve; the upper roomwith the companyMark 11:11; 14:17
- 11EphesusWhere he lived to old age, by Irenaeus’s accountTraditional; see the profile