John (Person)

This term has multiple meanings in the Bible:

  1. The father of Simon Peter and Andrew (John 1:4042; 21:1517). According to Matthew 16:17, Peter’s father was named Jona (Jonas, Jonah). Jona was either another version of the name John or two stories existed about his name.

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  2. A member of the high priestly family who, along with Annas, Caiaphas, and Alexander, questioned Peter and John after the two apostles had healed a lame man (Acts 4:6).

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  3. According to the early church bishop Papias, a member of the larger group of Jesus’ disciples outside the Twelve (compare Luke 10:1). Known as “John the elder," he is often said to have written 2 and 3 John (2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1). The term “elder” more likely refers to John the apostle.

  4. The apostle. See John, The Apostle.

  5. The Baptist. See John the Baptist.

  6. An early disciple known as John Mark, author of the second Gospel. See Mark, John.

From Tyndale Bible Dictionary, adapted by Mission Mutual. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Scripture References (7)

Matthew

Luke

Acts

2 John

3 John