St. John the Evangelist: The Beloved Apostle of Jesus

•Apostle and Evangelist 
•Feast day: December 27 
•+101 

St. John the Evangelist, also known as the Beloved Apostle, holds a unique place in Christian history as the youngest of Jesus’ twelve apostles and one of His closest companions. Born in Bethsaida, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, John was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of St. James the Great. Together, the brothers worked as fishermen before Jesus called them to follow Him, a moment vividly described in the Gospel of Matthew: “Immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him” (Matthew 4:22).

Sons of Thunder

Jesus nicknamed John and his brother James “Boanerges,” meaning “Sons of Thunder,” a reference to their zealous and fiery temperament (Mark 3:17). This nickname highlights their passionate nature, which was evident when they once asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven upon a Samaritan village that rejected Him (Luke 9:54). Despite this fervor, John’s life became a profound testimony to love and gentleness, embodying the message of Christ.

The Beloved Disciple

Among the apostles, John is uniquely referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). This special bond is most poignantly illustrated during the Last Supper when John leaned on Jesus’ breast and asked about the identity of the betrayer (John 13:25). He was also one of the privileged three apostles present at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) and the only apostle who stood at the foot of the cross, where Jesus entrusted him with the care of His Mother, Mary: “Behold your mother” (John 19:27).

Witness to the Early Church

Following the Resurrection, John became a key figure in the early Church. Tradition holds that in 49 AD, he settled in Ephesus, where he cared for the Virgin Mary until her Assumption. During his time in Ephesus, John also wrote three epistles and the Gospel bearing his name. His Gospel, often symbolized by an eagle, soars with sublime theology, emphasizing Jesus as the eternal Word of God: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Exile and Revelation

Under Emperor Domitian’s reign, John was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. This prophetic work offers a glimpse of the heavenly liturgy and the ultimate triumph of God over evil. After Domitian’s death, John returned to Ephesus, continuing his ministry and writing.

Legacy of Love

According to early Christian tradition, John lived to an advanced age, the only apostle not to die a martyr’s death. His final years were marked by a simple yet profound message to his followers: “My little children, love one another.” When asked why he repeated this teaching, he replied, “Because it is the word of the Lord, and if you keep it, you do enough.” He passed away peacefully in Ephesus around 101 AD.

Trivia and Lesser-Known Facts

• Boiling Oil Miracle: An early Christian legend recounts that John was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil in Rome but emerged unharmed, a miraculous event that led to his exile on Patmos.
• Symbolism: In Christian art, John is often depicted as an eagle, symbolizing the lofty and spiritual nature of his Gospel.
• Patronage: St. John is the patron saint of love, loyalty, and friendship. He is also invoked by authors and theologians.
• Liturgical Feast: The Church celebrates his feast day on December 27, within the joyous season of Christmas, highlighting his intimate relationship with the Incarnate Word.
• Role in Early Councils: Tradition suggests that John’s teachings influenced the early Church’s understanding of Christ’s divinity, a cornerstone of Christian doctrine affirmed in later ecumenical councils.

Quotes by St. John

• “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16).
• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

St. John the Evangelist’s life is a testament to the transformative power of Christ’s love. His writings continue to inspire countless believers to live out the commandment he cherished most: to love one another as Christ has loved us.