THE APOSTLE, brother of James the "Greater" #Mt 4:21 10:2 #Mr 1:19 3:17 10:35 He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee #Mt 4:21 and Salome #Mt 27:56 comp. #Mr 15:40 and was born at Bethsaida. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (comp. #Mr 1:20 Lu 5:3 #Joh 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 #Joh 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 #Mt 4:21 Lu 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 #Mr 5:37 #Mt 17:1 26:37 Mr 13:3 

He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. In zeal and intensity of character he was a "Boanerges" #Mr 3:17 This spirit once and again broke out #Mt 20:20-24 #Mr 10:35-41 Lu 9:49,54 At the betrayal he and Peter follow Christ afar off, while the others betake themselves to hasty flight #Joh 18:15 

At the trial he follows Christ into the council chamber, and thence to the praetorium #Joh 18:16,19,28 and to the place of crucifixion #Joh 19:26,27 To him and Peter, Mary first conveys tidings of the resurrection #Joh 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 #Joh 21:1,7 We find Peter and John frequently after this together #Ac 3:1 4:13 John remained apparently in Jerusalem as the leader of the church there #Ac 15:6 Ga 2:9 His subsequent history is unrecorded. He was not there, however, at the time of Paul’s last visit #Ac 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 #Re 1:11 

He suffered under persecution, and was banished to Patmos #Re 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.

The fourth of the catholic or "general" epistles.

1. It was evidently written by John the evangelist, and probably also at Ephesus, and when the writer was in advanced age.

2. The purpose of the apostle #1Jo 1:1-4 is to declare the Word of Life to those to whom he writes, in order that they might be united in fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. He shows that the means of union with God are,

a. On the part of Christ

1. His atoning work #1Jo 1:7 2:2 3:5 4:10,14 5:11,12

2. His advocacy #1Jo 2:1

b. on the part of man

1. Holiness #1Jo 1:6

2. obedience #1Jo 2:3

3. Purity #1Jo 3:3

4. Faith #1Jo 3:23 4:3 5:5

5. Love #1Jo 2:7,8 3:14 4:7 5:1

Is addressed to "the elect lady," and closes with the words, "The children of thy elect sister greet thee;" but some would read instead of "lady" the proper name Kyria. Of the thirteen verses composing this epistle seven are in the First Epistle. The person addressed is commended for her piety, and is warned against false teachers.

Is addressed to Caius, or Gaius, but whether to the Christian of that name in Macedonia #Ac 19:29 or in Corinth #Ro 16:23 or in Derbe #Ac 20:4 is uncertain. It was written for the purpose of commending to Gaius some Christians who were strangers in the place where he lived, and who had gone thither for the purpose of preaching the gospel #3Jo 1:7 The Second and Third Epistles were probably written soon after the First, and from Ephesus.