Home › People of the Bible › John the Apostle
People of the Bible
Who Was John the Apostle?
In short
John was one of Jesus' closest disciples, called 'the disciple whom Jesus loved.' A fisherman by trade, he was there at the transfiguration, the last supper, and the cross.
He wrote the Gospel of John, three letters, and the book of Revelation, and is remembered above all for one great message: that God is love.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
1 John 4:8 · King James Version (public domain)
John the Apostle at a glance
| Name | John the Apostle |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation |
| Key passage on this page | 1 John 4:8 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- 1 John 4:16
- 1 John 4:7
- Psalms 86:15
- 2 Corinthians 13:11
- Psalms 86:5
- Exodus 34:6-7
- Ephesians 2:4
- 1 John 1:5
- 1 John 3:6
- 1 John 2:9
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about John the Apostle in the Bible?
John the Apostle appears in Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside 1 John 4:8?
Readers most often set it next to 1 John 4:16, 1 John 4:7, Psalms 86:15, 2 Corinthians 13:11.
Why does John the Apostle matter to Christians today?
Because the story of John the Apostle is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Lord Jesus, you see John the Apostle and you know every person there by name. We bring you John the Apostle, Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation. Let your Body in that place love one another and be one. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Take one step this week.
- Read the key passage, 1 John 4:8, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what John the Apostle's story says about God, not only about John the Apostle.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read the story of John the Apostle
You can read the story of John the Apostle in Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
