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Tag: John

7 Epistles of John with the same Revelation
~ A.D. 95 – from Patmos:

John, Pastor and Elder of the Church at Ephesus

As we observed in our chronology of ACTS of the Apostles, the Disciple John was a young man when he followed Jesus.

The Elder John and Leadership of the Church

Now, the Apostle has outlived the other Eleven, Paul, beloved family and many other first generation Christians.

The Elder John wrote the three short Epistles we are studying about ten years ago, but today we are looking ahead at John’s brief revelation to seven churches.
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I suppose you may not have thought of the introduction to 'The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John' as — SEVEN pointed epistles to 7 different churches. 
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~ A.D. 80’s – 90’s – a Cultural context for JOHN’s 10 Epistles

The Greco-Roman world at the close of the first century A.D. was in a state of cultural, philosophical, and religious ferment. Religious syncretism and inclusivism.. ‘the combination of various ideas and beliefs from different sources to form new or aberrant religions. This was the age of developing mystery religions, the age of the occult, the age of the proliferation of Gnostic sects.’

The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1-3 John

Throughout Italy and the broader empire, new challenges arose: major earthquakes in Campania, famine and pestilence in Rome, and volcanic eruptions ranging from Mount Etna to the cataclysmic destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum by Vesuvius in AD 79.

The Julio-Claudian dynasty—embodied by Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero—witnessed both grand construction projects (like the amphitheater at Alba Fucens) and notorious episodes of tyranny and scandal. .. After Nero’s fall in AD 68, civil war engulfed the empire until Vespasian founded the Flavian line, ushering in reconstruction efforts (such as the Colosseum) and culminating in the more stable governance of Nerva and Trajan by century’s end.

source: RomanHistory.net

an A.D. First Century culture of 7 Asian churches

Do you remember from back in Acts of the Apostles how the Spirit, at first, had instructed Paul NOT to preach in Asia?

Acts on Mission to Macedonia

And do you recall that Ephesus (in Asia) became a major city for Christian worship where later Paul had appointed Timothy as Pastor of the Ephesian Church?

PLACE AND TIME OF WRITING.

–The best authorities among the Fathers state that John was exiled under Domitian (IRENAEUS [Against Heresies, 5; 30]; CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA; EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 3.20]). VICTORINUS says that he had to labor in the mines of Patmos. At Domitian’s death, A.D. 95, he returned to Ephesus under the Emperor Nerva. Probably it was immediately after his return that he wrote, under divine inspiration, the account of the visions vouchsafed to him in Patmos ( Rev 1:2, 9 ). However, Rev 10:4 seems to imply that he wrote the visions immediately after seeing them.

source: Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Introduction to Revelation
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Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἣν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεός δεῖξαι τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει καὶ ἐσήμανεν ἀποστείλας διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου αὐτοῦ τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ Ἰωάννῃ
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ

which God gave Him
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The Disciple who knew the Lord best refers to GOD THE FATHER simply, as God.
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to show His servants

that is, the saints or followers of JESUS, bond-servants redeemed by His blood on the Cross

—things which must shortly take place.

The Elder writes this same introduction to ALL seven churches who John has shepherded in the Way of Christ Jesus.

What he means by ‘shortly‘ is much debated in the immediacy of what these beloved saints have endured through the end of this A.D. first century. — Or perhaps God intends this epistle of revelation more millennially for all saints of every age.

Christ makes certain that Christians know the cost of faith until the unknown Day of His return.

He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:1b-2 NIV

The risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ sends an apokalypsis via and angelic messenger to John on Patmos — and the Elder to these seven churches consequently, by his apostolic duty, sends out this same ‘disclosure of divine things formerly unknown’ and testifies to the truthfulness of what is to follow.
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It makes little difference if John had opportunity to send it from Patmos with a human messenger much in the way the Apostle Paul sent epistles to his churches OR if the Elder would have written it later upon John's return to Ephesus. 
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“Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” – Question of the angel messenger in Revelation 5:2

a Book Sealed within: Addressed to 7 mortal Elders

What does John’s epistle enjoin each Elder to do?
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Set aside for a moment the imagery of the apocalypse with its angels, seven stars and seven candlesticks — the Elder John is FIRST to address issues of his own current church. 
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Most Christians know both exhortation and encouragement offered to the seven churches.

Which ones speak to YOU with some urgency (and hopefully, perhaps, to any Elder of your local church? (So which church looks like yours?)

Ἐφεσῖνος – Ephesus
- “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
- and that you cannot tolerate evil people.
Of course, John knows all this personally.

And does the Elder imply that the Ephesians will not be inclusive of those who insist on evil works opposed to Christ’s love?

You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars.

Revelation 2:2 CSB

And do your Elders test the theology and witness of your church leaders and members?
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And the pattern of this pointed epistle for each church now turns to exhortation and rebuke demanding repentance. 
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“But I have this against you:

You have abandoned the love [agapē] you had at first.
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Look it up.. IF you don't quite remember what agape love is.
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“Remember then how far you have fallen;

repent, and do the works you did at first.

Do YOU? Do christians ever repent more than once (that time we claim to have come to Christ)?

OR will He return to say, “I never knew you…?’

“Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the *Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

*Revelation 2:6 CSB

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the one who conquers,
I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 2:7 CSB

Σμύρνῃ – Smyrna
- “I know your affliction and poverty,
- but you are rich.
- I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Do YOU know any who avoid the Name of Christ? Do some swear to be Jew or Christian while afflicting others? Who then, do they truly worship?

“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

Does your prosperity preacher dare suggest suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ? OR REMIND of the Lord’s Judgment of all?

The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.

Πέργαμος – Pergamum

“I know where you live — where Satan’s throne is.

.. where Satan lives. [Another mention of the nearby Nicolaitans]

But I have a few things against you.

You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
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Again, the common issue *even of this era is worship of idols and fornication. 
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In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the *Nicolaitans. So repent!

Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Revelation 2:15-16

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
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Doesn't this even sound like the preaching of JESUS? 
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I AM the Bread of Life

To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna…

Revelation 2:27b

Θυάτειρα – Thyatira
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Just a REMINDER of Who Is speaking:
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Thus says the Son of God,

the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:

Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 2:18b CSB
- “I know your works —
- your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance.
- I know that your last works are greater than the first.
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Quite an encouragement and blessing to believers.
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“But I have this against you:
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This one thing of importance to the Lord Jesus Christ
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Jezebel

You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:20-21 CSB

WHY is this issue of idolatry so important (in addition to God’s prohibition in the Ten Commandments of worshiping other gods)?

Ἰεζάβελ – Jezebel – the symbolic name of a woman who pretended to be a prophetess, and who, addicted to antinomianism, claimed Christian liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols.

Of Hebrew origin אִיזֶבֶל (H348) (used as a synonym of a termagant or false teacher):—Jezabel.

אִיזֶבֶל

Jezebel recalls the opposition to the LORD’s prophet Elijah.

Jezebel = “Baal exalts” or “Baal is husband to” or “unchaste”

queen of Israel, wife of Ahab, daughter of Ethbaal (King of Tyre)

It’s a contest of serious consequence between the LORD God and the false gods, false prophetesses, false priestesses — brash and shameless sinners claiming sin as worship of their gods.

This disaster happened because the people of Israel sinned against the LORD their God who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt and because they worshiped other gods.

They abandoned all the commands of the LORD their God. They made cast images for themselves, two calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed in worship to all the stars in the sky and served Baal.

2 Kings 17:7,16 CSB

And it all goes back to Ahab and Jezebel in 1 Kings.

Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to anger the LORD God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.
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Just one last application from Revelation, the mention of Jezebel, the Nicolaitans and (from a theological definition {above}) - antinomianism.
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Antinomianism is the belief or teaching that since believers are saved by grace through faith, there is no further obligation to follow any moral law or command.

.. At its core, antinomianism proposes that under the New Covenant, Christians are completely exempt from all moral guidelines because divine grace supersedes any need for abiding by commandments.

source: Biblehub.com

Σάρδεις – Sardis

I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 3:1b CSB
- “Be alert
- and strengthen [guard] what remains, which is about to die,
- for I have not found your works complete before my God.
- “Remember, then, what you have received and heard;
- keep it, and repent.
- If you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come upon you.
“But you have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy. In the same way, the one who conquers will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels.

Revelation 3:4-5

And the Lord Jesus again seals His warning to the Sardinian church calling on the MANY to follow the example of the FEW.

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:5 CSB

Φιλαδέλφεια – To the Church in Philadelphia

Permit me first to remind you that simply as the name, Christian, witnesses the Name of Christ; Philadelphia or Philedelphos φιλάδελφος witnesses [From φίλος (G5384) and ἀδελφός (G80)]as a FRIEND and BROTHER.

“I know your works.

Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Quite a compliment of Christian LOVE of these saintly brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying — I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.

A.D. first century followers of the Messiah Jesus considered themselves to be true Jews, who have now been redeemed. And the love they hold in Christ will include Romans (like much of the population of this city of Philadelphia) and Hellenists, Greeks or gentiles as they worship God in truth side by side.

“Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

Revelation 3:10 CSB

Λαοδίκεια – Laodicea

And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 3:14 NKJV
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an urgent CAUTION, perhaps, for many a 21st century Common Era christian church claiming Jesus in some lesser way than in Truth.
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“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Revelation 3:15 NKJV

“So then, because you are lukewarm,

and neither cold nor hot,

I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Laodicea: Lukewarm Prosperity
- Banking hub, black-wool trade, renowned medical school with eye powder.
- Water arrived by aqueduct, lukewarm by the time it reached town.
- After the AD 60 quake, the city rebuilt itself without Rome’s help—boastful self-sufficiency reflected in the church.
Source: BibleHub.com commentary
Because you say…

“I am rich

and have acquired great wealth,

and need nothing,”

but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,

take my advice

and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich!

Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed,

and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see!

Revelation 3:17-18 New English Translation

Do you know of a Common Era Church like this — so in need of taking this advice from the risen and returning Christ Jesus ?

LISTEN! Hear His Voice. Open the door of your lukewarm heart. Allow the Lord to give you manna and living water of eternal life.

Sit on His Throne with Him.. just as He too conquered and sat down with His Father on His throne.

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 3:22 CSB

Next: INTRO — 3 Letters (10 yrs earlier) from the Apostle John
April 3, 2026
The Elder John and Leadership of the Church
The A.D. First Century Church

I tend to look at the Acts of the Apostles and oversimplify the History of the Church,

STARRING THE APOSTLES — Peter and Paul.

Although Jesus says of Peter, “Upon this Rock I will build My Church,” we tend to miss the frequency of John at Peter’s side throughout the early acts of all of the Apostles in Jerusalem.

Peter, John and the healed lame beggar

ACTS of the Apostles 1-6 – Peter

Epistles from Apostles to Elders

Even while reading the Epistles of Paul outlining a developing leadership structure of the A.D. 1st century Church, Elders seem to get lost somewhere between Apostolic authority (at the top) and dynamic Deacons (such as Stephen).
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Elders, Deacons and other Apostolic leadership 
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Paul writes in his first pastoral letter to Timothy:

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV

Other English translations help us apply the same Scripture into responsibilities 21st century C.E. churches consider as leadership jobs.

The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:17 CSB

We need to think of the Apostles John, Peter, Paul and others in these dual roles in relation to the developing churches they establish.

Paul offers a precedent and example of which churches need elders in a pastoral epistle to (the pastor) Titus.

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.

Epistle of Paul to Titus 1:5 CSB

Timothy, Titus, Barnabas, Silas and especially the Apostles often deserved double honor for serving as pastor and teacher of a specific local church for a time, in addition to their commission and titles as apostles, disciples, deacons and elders.

JOHN, during his long years of Apostolic ministry to many churches served as an Elder (probably in several towns) in addition to his chosen commission by Christ as an Apostle.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne,

Elders Leading the Family of God

Before we look at letters from John the Elder or the role of an Elder in the New Testament families of God and Christ, let’s honor the tradition into which James and John, Sons of Zebedee, Andrew and Simon Peter and other first century Jews were born.

Elders of Jewish Scripture (the Old Testament)

“You stand today, all of you, before Yahweh your God [יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם]:

your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and the sojourner who is within your camps..

Deuteronomy 29:10-11a KJV

Included with the elders [the old men, some leaders of clans or families] yᵊhōvâ ĕlōhîm includes officers [foremen] and many others.

Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them.

Deuteronomy 31:28 ESV

Then all the elders H2205 of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah

1 Samuel 8:4 LSB

So Samuel did what Yahweh said and came to Bethlehem. And the elders H2205 of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?”

1 Samuel 16:4 LSB
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Princes are hanged up by their hand: 
the faces of elders were not honoured.
They took the young men to grind, 
and the children fell under the wood.
The elders have ceased from the gate, 
the young men from their musick.
The joy of our heart is ceased; 
our dance is turned into mourning.
The crown is fallen from our head: 
woe unto us, that we have sinned!

Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah 5:12-16 KJV 
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“But you shall select excellent men out of all the people, those who fear God, men of truth, those who hate greedy gain; and you shall place these men over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Exodus 18 & Deuteronomy 1 LSB

Elders lead the thousands, the hundreds, the fifties and the tens..

Elders of a developing or disintegrating church

Before we breeze through the years of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLE JOHN, let’s recall the chronology mentioned previously in a look at John’s Gospel — a timeline taking the young Disciple at the foot of the Cross, past his proclaiming the Gospel with Peter on Pentecost and up to the time the Elder writes his Gospel.

A Glance at the Gospel of John

An account of ACTS in the life of John
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All dates and ages of John are approximate
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- ~A.D. 30 – Jesus’ ascension, Pentecost, Peter & John preaching in the Temple
  - The Apostle John is only about 25 years old.
- ~A.D. 44 –
  - John is now in his upper 30’s
About that time King Herod violently attacked some who belonged to the church, and he executed James, John’s brother, with the sword.

Acts of the Apostles 12:1-2 CSB
- ~A.D. 49 – Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15)
  - The Apostle John, ~ age 43
  - Peter, who an angel released at the time James was execution, would have been present, along with James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church.
  - Paul and other Elders present to decide how Jews and Gentiles will worship Jesus the Lord as one body of Christ
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers—to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, and they sent this letter by them,

“The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.

Acts 15:22-23 LSB
- ~ A.D. 55 – Mark, (John Mark, gentile nephew of Barnabas who had accompanied his uncle and Paul on Cypress & became a scribe to Peter) – writes his Gospel.
  - The Apostle John is about 50 years old
  - Paul and others write Epistles to various churches
- ~ A.D. 61 – Luke, gentile physician of Paul, writes his Gospel and Jesus’ Apostle Matthew Levi writes his Gospel
  - The Apostle John is now in his upper 50’s
  - The Apostles Peter and Paul continue to write Epistles
- ~ A.D. 62 – James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church is martyred
- ~ A.D. 66
  - John is now 60 years old
  - The Jews revolt against Rome
    
    Christians flee Jerusalem
  - The Apostles Paul and Peter are Martyred in Rome
    
    Jude (Jesus’ half-brother) writes an Epistle
    
    Epistle “to the Hebrews” written (anonymously)
- ~ A.D. 86
  - The Elder John is now 80 years old
  - ALL of the other Apostles are dead and as Jesus had told Simon Peter, John is the only one remaining.
  - The Lord has saved John even from torture, exiled on a Greek island of Patmos.
  - John will now write three Epistles…
    
    ten, if you count brief greetings to seven in his apocalypse from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Elders of the New Testament

In the New Testament, the role of elders becomes more defined within the structure of the early church. Elders, also known as overseers or bishops, are responsible for shepherding the flock, teaching sound doctrine, and maintaining church discipline.

Plurality and Accountability:
The New Testament model for church leadership often emphasizes a plurality of elders, suggesting that multiple elders should lead each congregation. This plurality provides a system of accountability and shared responsibility, ensuring that no single individual holds excessive power. The collective wisdom and diverse gifts of multiple elders contribute to the health and growth of the church.

Conclusion:
The biblical concept of elders encompasses a rich tradition of leadership and service, rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. Elders are called to be shepherds, teachers, and examples, guiding the people of God with wisdom, humility, and integrity.

Their role is vital to the spiritual well-being and doctrinal soundness of the church, as they seek to honor God and serve His people faithfully.

source: BibleHub.com

NO man was more directly accountable to our risen Lord Jesus Christ, with a lasting impact on the saints of an expanding second century church who had met him, than the ELDER JOHN.

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
March 28, 2026
A Glance at the Gospel of John
Previously we have studied John’s Gospel in a multi-year SERIES.

JOHN – Good NEWS for Common Era Sinners

Please read today’s overview of the Gospel of Jesus Christ written by John with an eye toward its fit with his three Apostolic Epistles.

The Purpose of John’s Book

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:30-31 Berean Standard Bible ·

One Last Gospel

We introduced John, Son of Zebedee in our Apostolic faith SERIES as a young man in his twenties. John, along with his older brother James and Andrew (brother of Simon), had been discipled by John the Baptist.

Reintroducing John – a Biography and Background

Our own impression of Jesus’ youngest Disciple may come from the mount of transfiguration..

Or even more likely we view John beside the Lord (at a long table) at the Last Supper, in a painting of the Italian Renaissance painter, Leonardo DaVinci.

And some Christians picture the young man John with the women at the foot of the Cross of our crucified Lord..

.. or running to the empty tomb of their risen friend JESUS along with Simon Peter.

Recalling John’s witness as a young man

Some Christians wonder why John’s Gospel is so different from the three synoptic gospels.

In fact, John wrote his Gospel of these historic events many years after they took place.

For a better picture of several decades of the Apostle’s life after his thirties and leading up to John writing his Gospel (and then three Epistles), let’s look at what the Elder chose to write about his earlier days in the context of ~A.D 30-85.

The Apostle reveals his purpose [John 20:30-31, above] near the end of his gospel. A quick look at some events at the time of the writing of all four Gospels should help.
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We will add a few more details next time in the context of ACTS of the APOSTLES.
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Timeline leading to John’s Gospel

John wrote his gospel ca. A.D. 80–90, about 50 years after he witnessed Jesus’ earthly ministry.

John MacArthur Bible Commentary introduction John
- ~ A.D. 30 – Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension
  - Beginning of the events recorded in ACTS of the Apostles
  - John would be in his early 30’s
- ~ A.D. 40 – Peter brings the Gospel to the Gentiles
- ~ A.D. 44 – James, older brother of John is martyred
  - It’s now about fifteen years after Jesus’ ascension
  - The Apostle John [b. ~ A.D. 6] is a man in his upper 30’s
- ~ A.D. 47-57 – Paul’s three missionary journeys to the Gentiles
  - James, son of Joseph (half-brother of Jesus) and the Apostle Paul write several Epistles to churches
  - John is in his 40’s
- A.D. 50’s – Mark, who had accompanied Paul and Barnabas and received Peter’s account of Jesus writes his Gospel
  - The Apostle John (a man older than Mark) is in his 50’s
- A.D. 60’s – Luke, a gentile physician accompanying Paul on his missions writes his Gospel
  - Matthew, one of the Twelve (who is older than his fellow Disciple, John) writes his Gospel
  - ALL of the other Epistles (with the possible exception of Jude, half-brother of Jesus) are written
  - James, brother of Jude, is martyred [A.D. 62]
  - Peter and Paul are martyred in Jerusalem [~ A.D. 68]
  - John is now about age 62
  - ALL of the remaining Apostles are martyred in various places throughout the world
- A.D. 70 – Rome destroys Jerusalem and the temple
- ~ A.D. 85 – John writes his Gospel
  - The Elder John is now about eighty [80] years old.
John’s Good News for those who will believe

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Gospel of John 1:1

The Apostle John realized that in seeking the Messiah of Israel — he had met ALMIGHTY GOD — in the flesh, in the Person of JESUS!

Moses’ account of Genesis was simply a Beginning of adam — a beginning of the heavens and the earth and of all the LORD had created — but NOT the Beginning of God.

John also reminds that the Beginning was NOT the beginning of the Spirit or of the Person of Jesus, the Son of God before all time.

And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.

Gospel of John 1:14 KJV

Then the Apostle moves from that which was before time and all creation, to his own discovery as a young disciple of John the Baptist, of JESUS, the only begotten of the Father.

Begotten, not made; as the Apostolic creeds of the faith confess.

b. from above

Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
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ἄνωθεν - ánōthen - from above, from a higher place
- (born) of things which come from heaven or God
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In addition to signs and miracles witnessed by many men in several places, John’s gospel presents evidence that some Bible scholars among the Pharisees became convinced to worship Jesus Christ.

He provides other proofs of Jesus as the Messiah — the Christ of Scripture promised by Moses and the Prophets, from a private conversation known to this Disciple John of the Lord’s inner circle.

Jesus’ beloved Disciple clearly connects the Spirit of God the Father with the Son and and Holy Spirit, as well as those who the Father has chosen for eternal life.

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born [from above] again G509.’

Gospel of John 3:7 LSB

“He who comes from above G509 is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

John 3:31 LSB

Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above G509; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

John 19:11

The Apostle John makes clear that Jesus and the Spirit who gives life are ‘from above.’

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Gospel of John 4:24 King James Version

Christ Taught from and Fulfilled Scripture

Imagine John, the women embalming their crucified Lord and others discovering an empty tomb of JESUS, who had been executed so mercilessly on a bloody Cross!

John recalls:

The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?”

But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.

So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

Gospel of John 2:20-22 LSB

The Apostle recalls in his Gospel the most important facts, that JESUS had been raised from the dead after three days — and Jesus had prophesied his resurrection very pubically in fulfillment of Scripture.

“Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”

Gospel of John 7:42 LSB

Prior to the Lord’s betrayal, Jesus had even revealed fulfillment of Scripture by Judas.
```
My enemies speak evil against me,
“When will he die, and his name perish?”
And when he comes to see me, he speaks worthlessness;
His heart gathers wickedness to itself;
When he goes outside, he speaks it. 
All who hate me whisper together against me;
Against me, they devise for me calamity, saying,
“A vile thing is poured out upon him,
That when he lies down, he will not rise up again.”

Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 31:5-9 LSB 
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“I do not speak about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen;

but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’

Gospel of John 13:18 LSB

And John recalls Jesus’ prayer in an upper room of Jerusalem when Christ celebrated a new covenant about to fulfill the redemption of blood by this Lamb of God.

“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent…

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

Gospel of John 17:1b-3, 12 LSB

It’s hard to believe

So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb.

.. he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb.

So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed.

For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

Gospel of John 20 excerpt LSB

John, the other disciple who like Simon Peter still did not fully get what JESUS had taught all along, even to these men of His inner circle, witnesses now, decades later in the writing of his Gospel, that it was not until they witnessed the risen Lord and touched Him and ate with Him that they believed all that JESUS had taught.

If I want him to remain…

Again, fifty some years later, John writes how Peter’s doubting and denials remained with John’s near friend and Apostle and how Jesus restored this Rock upon which He would build His Church.

“Simon, son of Jonah..
“Feed My sheep.

Then John recalls their proximity to Jesus at that last Passover meal in Jerusalem. The Lord had just said to Peter once again:

Follow me.
from John 21:19

Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them;

the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?”

Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

Gospel of John 21:20-22 LSB

NOT all are called to salvation.

Some betray Jesus even though called to the hope of glory.

The Lord Jesus makes His call Personal — to Peter.. to John..

— to you (if the Father has chosen you for eternal life).

John’s witness of these fifty years prior to recording his Gospel and the three Epistles the Elder is about to write to a troubled and persecuted Church is both corporate and personal.

JESUS had called this Apostle to remain in order that others would answer the Personal call of Jesus to, “Follow Me.”

John’s Signature as Witness

This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his witness is true.

Gospel of John 21:24 LSB

And almost as a Post Script John adds (fifty years after these History-changing events) his purpose in writing his Good News:

ἔστιν δὲ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ ἃ ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἅτινα ἐὰν γράφηται καθ᾽ ἕν οὐδ᾽ αὐτὸν οἶμαι τὸν κόσμον χωρῆσαι τὰ γραφόμενα βιβλία

But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Gospel of John 21:25 – Greek New Testament; Revised Standard Version

NEXT: John – Elder of the First Century Church

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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
March 25, 2026