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 Vatican City stamps featuring Saint John: Evangelists Airmail Set, Scott C58 (1971) Second Epistle of John, Scott 523 (1972) Apostles John and Peter, Scott 598 (1976) Saint John by Cimabue, Scott 1231 (2002) Evangelists Vending Machine Set, Scott V14 (2002) John the Evangelist and Apostle was a son of Zebedee, brother to James. Jesus termed the two “sons of thunder” because of their enthusiasm and fiery nature. The Apostles James, Peter, and John (all of whom were fishermen and mending their nets when called by Jesus) are frequently referenced in scripture as witnesses to significant events in Jesus's ministry, such as the Transfiguration, Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, the raising of Jarius’ daughter (Matt: 8:18-26, Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56), and John’s presence with Peter at the empty tomb (and, having seeing it, immediately believed). In Acts, John is present with Peter at the healing of the lame man in the Temple, then sharing imprisonment, then traveling to Samaria. Galatians 2:9 names James, Peter, and John as pillars of the Church in Jerusalem. John has been referred to as “the Beloved Disciple.” John is recognized as the author of the Fourth Gospel as well as the Book of Revelation. Historian David Farmer states: “There seems to be no compelling reason for rejecting the identification of John with the beloved disciple of the Gospel who was witness to the events he describes. But he wrote about them in a contemplative way, emphasizing the theological reality and presupposing in his readers a knowledge of Christ’s life, portrayed by the synoptic gospels. Above all he stressed the Divinity of Christ, who is both Light and Life, and the importance of Charity (agape) which is the bond between the Father and the Son, and between Christ and his disciples, as well as between the disciples themselves.”<As instructed by Jesus on the Cross, John adopted the Virgin Mary as his mother after the Crucifixion and cared for her thereafter. He was active in the affairs of the early church at Jerusalem. He wrote his gospel toward the end of his life. John was located to the Christian community at Ephesus and was exiled to the island of Patmos, where it is held he wrote the Book of Revelation. He was exiled to Patmos because of anti-Christian persecution under Emperor Domitian (81-96). Visitors to the Cave (or Grotto) of the Apocalypse may today visit the site (some 60+ marble steps below the surface), which is a tiny Orthodox Church, and includes the rock he is said to have used for a pillow. In the hilltop Basilica of St. John at Ephesus, constructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, there is a marker labeled “Tomb of St. John” above a grill on the floor. When opened in the 4th century it was empty. The altar near the tomb was the site of many miracles. The basilica is not referenced after the 9th century. It is now in ruins although a site open to visitors. It is said that St. John died at Ephesus at an old age, usually pegged at year 100. Citing St. Jerome, Historian Donald Attwater writes: “St. Jerome wrote that when he was too old to preach, John would simply say to the assembled people: ‘Love one another. That is the Lord’s command: and if you keep it, that itself is enough.’”The Gospel of John, Revelation, and three epistles are assigned to John. Modern biblical scholars have debated authorship and their “historical value” but, Donald Attwater concludes, “the traditional attributions have by no means been wholly discredited.” Some modern claims suggest several different authors among the gospel, letters, and Revelation, although with ties to a common community mostly at Ephesus. John’s symbols are an eagle, usually with a book and a scroll, as seen in Scott C58, a fresco from St. Peter’s Basilica, one of four similar that portray the writers of the Gospels. REFERENCES: |
