John the Apostle
Also known as: Saint John, John the Evangelist, John the Divine, The Beloved Disciple, Son of Thunder
Son of Zebedee and brother of James, called from fishing to follow Jesus, one of the inner circle of three disciples. Known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” John alone among the Twelve witnessed the Crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted Mary to his care (John 19:26-27). Present at the Transfiguration, Last Supper, and Pentecost, he later partnered with Peter in the Jerusalem church. Church tradition places him in Ephesus, exiled to Patmos under Domitian where he received the visions of Revelation, then writing his Gospel and epistles. Identified as author of the Fourth Gospel (emphasizing Jesus as eternal Logos), three epistles (focusing on love), and Revelation. Unlike the other apostles who were martyred, John died peacefully in Ephesus around 100 CE.