Introduction to the Letters of John the Apostle: Who was John?

1 John was written by John the Apostle (AD 6-AD 100) in Ephesus in AD 86, shortly after his ‘The Gospel According to John’ in AD 85 and before his Revelation writings in AD 89/90 (See Bible Journey here). Others, for example, Max Lucado say it was written in AD 90! But I take 85/86 AD to be the most correct one for it is agreed upon by many scholars.

Just like all his other books, John, the beloved apostle of Christ, emphasizes ‘God in flesh’ or Jesus (the human) as the father (God) and as the Spirit (see John 1:1), the doctrine that some were opposing (see Docetism, the ‘teaching that claims that Jesus’ body was either absent or illusory’ or even Gnosticism). In the first century, specifically in John’s years of AD 80s, these kinds of teachings were many.

And John, in his boldness and in Max Lucado’s words, ‘couldn’t tolerate any other assertion other than Christ being the son, the flesh!’ His writings, majorly, the gospel and the 3 letters address these issues.

READ THIS TOO: 1 John 1:1-4: Do We Proclaim Christ’s Joy to Others?

Apparently, for John, Jesus Christ had been, is, and shall always be (John 1:1). John had met Christ, dined with him, heard him speak, and touched him. And, yeah, he really knew the reality, the reality he was boldly sharing; the reality of God who, in flesh, came and lived among us! But who was John the Apostle?

Who was John the Apostle?

John was born and lived in Capernaum where he, his older brother James and their workers or hired men did fishing with their father Zebedee at the Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:19-20; Matthew 4:21-22). Historical and geographical scholars assert that Nazareth and Capernaum were a little close, maybe a one day walk, implying the possibility that, actually, Jesus and these guys knew each other even before the mission!

It is important to note that the mother of James and John or Zebedee’s wife, Salome (Mark 15:40; Matthew 27:56) was a sister to Mary the mother of Jesus (Matthew 27:56, John 19:25 & Mark 15:40). Thus, James, John and Jesus were cousins! Talking about relatives of Jesus, it is interesting to note that, actually, most of the 12 apostles were either cousins or half-brothers of Jesus (Beyond Today has it better here)

Back to John the Apostle, the bible has a lot about him. First, he was one of the 12 apostles of Christ and regarded as the youngest and the beloved (John 21:20; John 13:23). He was called in about AD 27 when he was roughly 21 years old. He, his brother James and Peter were or are the three closest apostles Jesus moved with to some special events (Mark 5:37; Mark10:35-40 & Luke 22:8).

READ THIS TOO: In God, there is no darkness! 1 John 1:5

Together with James and Peter, John witnessed Jesus’ transgression and glory (Mark 9:2-3), leaned ‘lovely’ and next to Jesus’ breast or chest during last supper (John 21:20). John is the one to whom Jesus handed over his mother for care (John 19:27).

Historians and the above verse agree that John later took Mary (who was probably a widow by then) to live with her own sister, Salome, the mother of John and James. Concerning crucifixion, it is believed that of all the 12 apostles, only John was present at crucifixion.

Following Christ’s death and resurrection in AD30, John is one of the early church founders (Acts 1:13), dragged before Jewish council with Peter for healing a crippled man at the temple’s gate (Acts 3:1-4), visited new converts in Samaria with Peter following church persecution and stoning of Stephen in AD35 (Acts 8:14-25), and participated at the council of Jerusalem in AD 49/50 (Gal. 2:9).

When Romano-Jewish war broke up (around AD66), John escaped to Ephesus and Peter to Rome (1 Peter 1:1). It is believed that it is here in Ephesus that he wrote his gospel and the three letters, writing from his church to other child churches within Asia Minor.

In 88-89AD, he was again persecuted by Roman Emperor Domitian and, this time, he fled to Island of Patmos from where God encountered him with Revelation (Revelation 1:9). Following the death of Domitian (around 96AD), John returned to Ephesus and lived here till his death (around 100AD). Apparently, he is the only apostle who died a natural death; others were martyred!

RECEIVING CHRIST JESUS

Have you received Christ yet? If yes, praise God and keep proclaiming His love. If no, this is your time to find the only true and full joy that lasts forever in Christ Jesus. Just say, Oh Lord Jesus, I am sorry I have been away for long. I am a sinner. You became flesh and took over my cross, the punishment of death I deserved so I may find life a full joy in you. Yet I haven’t recognized this for a long time and have been your enemy all along. I am sorry. Forgive me and count me among your children. In Jesus name. Amen.

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