John

Share

Easton's Bible Dictionary - John

John [N] [H] [S]

  • One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John ( Acts 4:6 ). He was of the kindred of the high priest; otherwise unknown.

  • The Hebrew name of Mark (q.v.). He is designated by this name in the acts of the Apostles ( Acts 12:12 Acts 12:25 ; Acts 13:5 Acts 13:13 ; 15:37 ).

  • THE APOSTLE, brother of James the "Greater" ( Matthew 4:21 ; 10:2 ; Mark 1:19 ; 3:17 ; 10:35 ). He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee ( Matthew 4:21 ) and Salome ( Matthew 27:56 ; Compare Mark 15:40 ), and was born at Bethsaida. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (Compare Mark 1:20 ; Luke 5:3 ; John 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 ( John 1:36 John 1:37 ) for a time. He and his brother then returned to their former avocation, for how long is uncertain. Jesus again called them ( Matthew 4: : 21 ; Luke 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 ( Mark 5:37 ; Matthew 17:1 ; 26:37 ; Mark 13:3 ). He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. In zeal and intensity of character he was a "Boanerges" ( Mark 3:17 ). This spirit once and again broke out ( Matthew 20:20-24 ; Mark 10:35-41 ; Luke 9:49 Luke 9:54 ). At the betrayal he and Peter follow Christ afar off, while the others betake themselves to hasty flight ( John 18:15 ). At the trial he follows Christ into the council chamber, and thence to the praetorium ( John 18:16 John 18:19 John 18:28 ) and to the place of crucifixion ( John 19:26 John 19:27 ). To him and Peter, Mary first conveys tidings of the resurrection ( 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 ( John 21:1 John 21:7 ). We find Peter and John frequently after this together ( Acts 3:1 ; 4:13 ). John remained apparently in Jerusalem as the leader of the church there ( Acts 15:6 ; Galatians 2:9 ). His subsequent history is unrecorded. He was not there, however, at the time of Paul's last visit ( Acts 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 ( Revelation 1:11 ). He suffered under persecution, and was banished to Patmos ( 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.

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names
    [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
    Bibliography Information

    Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for John". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

    • Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - John

    John [N] [E] [S]

    the grace or mercy of the Lord
    Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names. Public Domain. Copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
    Bibliography Information

    Hitchcock, Roswell D. "Entry for 'John'". "An Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names". . New York, N.Y., 1869.

    Smith's Bible Dictionary - John

    John, [N] [E] [H]

    the same name as Johanan, a contraction of Jehoanan, Jehovahs gift .

    1. One of the high priests family, who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment upon the apostles Peter and John. ( Acts 6:6 )
    2. The Hebrew name of the evangelist Mark. ( Acts 12:12 Acts 12:25 ; Acts 13:5 Acts 13:13 ; 15:37 )
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names
    Bibliography Information

    Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'John,'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.

    International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - John (1)

    JOHN (1)

    jon (Ioannes):

    The name of several persons mentioned in the Apocrypha:

    (1) Father of Mattathias, grandfather of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers (1 Macc 2:1).

    (2) Eldest son of Mattathias, surnamed GADDIS (which see).

    (3) Father of Eupolemus, one of the envoys sent to Rome by Judas Maccabeus (1 Macc 8:17; 2 Macc 4:11).

    (4) John Hyrcanus, "a valiant man," son of Simon, and nephew of Judas Maccabeus (1 Macc 13:53; 16:1).

    See ASMONEANS; MACCABEES.

    (5) One of the envoys sent to treat with Lysias (2 Macc 11:17).

    J. Hutchison

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'JOHN (1)'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.  

    International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - John (2)

    JOHN (2)

    (Ioannes):

    The name of 4 persons:

    (1) JOHN THE BAPTIST (which see).

    (2) The apostle, the son of Zebedee, and brother of James (see JOHN, THE APOSTLE).

    (3) A relative of Annas the high priest, who sat in the Sanhedrin when Peter and John were tried (Acts 4:6). Lightfoot supposes him to be the Jochanan ben Zacchai of the Talmud, who, however, did not belong to the family of the high priest. Nothing is really known of him.

    (4) JOHN MARK (which see).

    (5) Father of Simon Peter (John 1:42; 21:15,17, margin "Greek Joanes:

    called in Matthew 16:17, Jonah").

    S. F. Hunter

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'JOHN (2)'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.