John was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is often referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He was the son of Zebedee and the brother of James. Together, they were known as the “Sons of Thunder,” a name given to them by Jesus in 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.’”
This name suggests that John and his brother were passionate and zealous, which we see in Luke 9:54 when they wanted to call fire down from heaven upon a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus. However, as John grew in his walk with Christ, we see a transformation in his character from a man of zeal and judgment to a man of deep love and truth.
His Family and Hometown
John and his brother James were fishermen, working alongside their father Zebedee. Their family was likely well-off, as they owned boats and had hired servants (Mark 1:19-20):
“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. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.”
John was from Bethsaida or Capernaum, both fishing towns on the Sea of Galilee, and he was originally a disciple of John the Baptist before following Jesus (John 1:35-37):
“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.”
What Books Did John Write?
John is credited with writing five books in the New Testament:
The Gospel of John – Written to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and to encourage faith in Him (John 20:31).
1 John – A letter emphasizing love, truth, and fellowship with God.
2 John – A short letter warning against false teachers and encouraging believers to walk in truth.
3 John – A personal letter addressing hospitality within the church.
Revelation – A prophetic book given to John through visions while he was exiled on the island of Patmos.
Each of these books reflects John’s deep understanding of Jesus as the Son of God and his emphasis on love and truth.
Why Is John Called “The Beloved Disciple”?
The phrase “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is unique to John’s Gospel, appearing in key moments of Jesus’ ministry. John never refers to himself by name but instead calls himself this title, showing his deep personal relationship with Christ.
One of the most significant moments is at the Last Supper (John 13:23-25):
“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’”
This moment shows John’s intimacy with Christ, as he was seated in the place of honor next to Jesus. He was also the only disciple who stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified (John 19:26-27):
“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
John was the only disciple entrusted with the care of Mary, Jesus’ mother, which indicates a unique trust and closeness with the Lord. Finally, John was one of the first to witness the empty tomb and believe in the resurrection (John 20:2-8). He was also the last of the apostles to die, living a long life dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel.
My Final Thoughts
John’s life is a testimony of transformation—he went from being a zealous “Son of Thunder” to the apostle of love. His writings emphasize both truth and love, showing that a true disciple of Christ walks in both. His deep closeness with Jesus serves as an example of what it means to abide in Him, as he writes in John 15:5:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
John’s life challenges us to grow in intimacy with Christ, to love deeply, and to remain steadfast in truth. May we seek to be like him—wholly devoted to the Lord.
