Illustration created for this project.

John, son of Zebedee — the beloved disciple

Son of Zebedee and brother of James, and one of Jesus' inner circle. Called 'the disciple whom Jesus loved,' he is traditionally credited with the fourth Gospel, three letters and Revelation. Tradition places his later years at Ephesus and his exile on Patmos.

Role: Apostle · Evangelist

Also known as: John the Apostle, the Beloved Disciple

Lived: c. AD 6 – c. AD 100

Belonged to: The Twelve Apostles, Israelites (Hebrews), Evangelists

Born: Capernaum

Death: Traditionally the only apostle to die of old age, at Ephesus

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Archaeology — physical evidence · 1

Life, role & deeds

BibleOne of Jesus' inner circle, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved', entrusted with Jesus' mother at the cross.

John 19:26–27

Death & legacy

Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyAt Ephesus the great Basilica of St John was built by Justinian over the site long venerated as his tomb; its ruins still stand.

Basilica of St John, Ayasuluk Hill, Selçuk (Ephesus), built by the emperor Justinian I (c. AD 548) over the tomb long venerated as the apostle's; excavated by G. A. Sotiriou (1920s) and later by the Austrian Archaeological Institute; see C. Foss, Ephesus after Antiquity (Cambridge University Press, 1979).

↳ Ephesus

Where in scripture

John 1 John Revelation

One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast.
John 13:23 — The beloved disciple

Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
John 19:26 — Entrusted with Jesus' mother

I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:9 — Exiled on Patmos

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.

John 13:23 John 19:26 1 John Revelation 1:9

Family

In their own words — 2 recorded sayings

“He, then, resting his head on Jesus' breast, said to him, Lord, who is it?” — John 13:25

“So the disciple who was dear to Jesus said to Peter, It is the Lord! Hearing that it was the Lord, Peter put his coat round him (because he was not clothed) and went into the sea.” — John 21:7

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).