The concept of John in Christianity
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The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'John'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) John is the name of a person whose identity is questioned in relation to Elijah, and whether he is Elijah who is to come, according to the words of Malachi.[1] (2) The disciples of John were warned not to let John become a stumbling-block, implying a cautionary message regarding John's potential to hinder or confuse the disciples.[2] (3) John is mentioned as an apostle who was first plunged, unhurt, into boiling oil, and then remitted to his island-exile.[3] (4) A character who entered the city, recognized Philip, and preached about the serpent, but was also threatened.[4] (5) This individual is referred to as John the Baptist, and the text explores various perspectives regarding him, including the belief that he had risen from the dead.[5]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This name is used to identify the Forerunner, who came to bear witness of the Light, and the subordinate office of a witness to the light is declared positively and negatively, and the dignity of such a function is implied.[6] (2) One of Jesus' disciples, who witnessed the Transfiguration with Peter and James, and is mentioned in connection with Jesus' brother, and is also mentioned with James.[7] (3) The author of the text, who provides details of the private conversation between Jesus and Pilate, which other Gospels do not include.[8] (4) The text mentions this individual, who recalls a blessed time and humbly follows, while others sit still and awed.[9] (5) This refers to one of the disciples, who was mentioned as being drawn to Him.[10]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) This individual, who was in prison, sent messengers to Jesus to inquire about his identity and role in the world, seeking clarification on whether he was the prophesied one.[11] (2) The person who bore witness to the truth, and about whom the central figure said, 'Ye sent unto him'.[12] (3) This is the individual who confessed he was not the Christ and was baptizing with water in Bethabara beyond Jordan, as the text describes.[13] (4) This individual was believed by some to have been resurrected, and was imprisoned and later beheaded by Herod, due to his disapproval of Herod's marriage to his brother's wife.[14] (5) This person was also a partner with Simon, and was amazed by the quantity of fish caught in the net, as stated in the passage.[15]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) John records three significant incidents that shed light on Thomas's character, including instances where Thomas demonstrated his devotion and love for Jesus, while also displaying a characteristic slowness to believe Jesus's statements regarding the raising of Lazarus and his inability to comprehend the unseen future home.[16] (2) The writer of the Revelation, who identifies himself by this name in multiple verses of the text, and is referred to as an apostle by several early Christian writers.[17] (3) This person is associated with the condemnation of the Acts of Paul and Thecla, indicating the validity of Luke's Acts of the Apostles.[18] (4) This individual, by his greater fullness on Jesus' Godhead composed a doctrinal supplement to the Synoptics, who dwelt more on His ministry as the "Son of man".[19] (5) John is a writer of epistles, and his writings are mentioned in the context of the timing of Jude's epistle.[20]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) John, the eldest son of Mattathias, was killed by the robber clan Jambri, who had made Medeba their stronghold during the Maccabaean times, according to the provided text.[21] (2) This individual found Jesus along with Andrew, indicating a connection with the ministry and the broader religious context.[22] (3) John is mentioned in relation to John Mark, who was chosen as a companion of Barnabas and Saul, and his work was to arrange the Apostles' journeys and potentially baptize.[23] (4) This person, the disciple whom Jesus loved, and Peter, were mentioned in the provided text, highlighting their different qualities and relationships with Jesus.[24]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) This person was the latest Evangelist, offering a unique perspective on Christ as the Son of God, in whom deity and humanity became one.[25] (2) This is another evangelist whose Gospel is compared to Matthew's, and it is stated that John's Gospel has a more vivid narration of facts, as the provided text indicates.[26] (3) John, also a son of Zebedee and Salome, was another one of the apostles who was called by Jesus to follow him, leaving behind his father.[27]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) John was the prophet of the Lord, acting as a herald, and was sent to prepare the ways for someone.[28]
From: The Book of the Bee
(1) John is mentioned as one of the two individuals chosen to write a Gospel, alongside Matthew.[29] (2) John was thrown to the beasts in the theatre of Baalbec, indicating his martyrdom while preaching in the area.[30] (3) The son of Zechariah, who was sought after, and his father took him before the altar, as described in the text, his life is intertwined with the events of the time.[31]
From: The Book of the Cave of Treasures
(1) The son of Zacharias, whose absence was noted among the slain children, leading Herod to believe he would reign over Israel, implying a prophetic destiny for him.[32] (2) This individual performed the baptism of Christ, and spent all of his life in the desert, sustaining himself with a root.[33] (3) An individual who saw Christ and was with Kipa (Peter), later receiving Mary, the virgin, into his house after the apostles gathered in the Upper Chamber.[34]
From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite
(1) John, Theologos, Apostle and Evangelist, is addressed in this writing as a holy soul, and is referred to as beloved and truly loveable and desired.[35]
Gnostic concept of 'John'
From: Pistis Sophia
(1) John is presented as a person who came forward and asked a question to Jesus regarding the forgiveness of a man who has sinned and repeatedly repented.[36] (2) John is the one who continues to ask questions, initiating discussions with the Saviour regarding the process of determining an individual's worthiness and whether they should be given access to sacred mysteries.[37] (3) John is the person who finished speaking words to Jesus in the presence of his disciples, and he was commended by Jesus for his words, specifically being called the Virgin who will govern in the kingdom of Light.[38] (4) This individual is the one who is questioning the Saviour, seeking clarification and understanding regarding how to spread knowledge to the world.[39] (5) John is a person who questioned the Saviour about how to share information, particularly concerning forgiveness and the mysteries with mankind.[40]
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) This describes the figure that is speaking, and is associated with various divine figures, and is a part of the story.[41] (2) A writer of the fourth Gospel, whom Cerinthus is said to have come into personal contact with, but the story is dismissed as without historical value.[42] (3) The person who announced the coming of the Christ, and by whose means Jesus was made ready to receive him.[43]
The concept of John in local and regional sources
John is connected to the text as both an archchanter of the church of the Holy Apostle Peter and an abbot sent to Britain by Pope Agatho, later appointed bishop of York following the esteemed Bosa.
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) John was the archchanter of the church of the holy Apostle Peter, and also an abbot who came from Rome by the order of Pope Agatho to Britain.[44] (2) John is mentioned as the person who was appointed as the bishop of York, succeeding Bosa, who was a man known for his great sanctity and humility.[45]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This name is used in a hypothetical situation, and the sender is using it to illustrate a point.[46]