John was the only one of the disciples who remained at the foot of the cross, along with the women, to witness the death of Jesus. He is also the only disciple, according to tradition, to die of natural causes ― each of the others (besides Judas) dying as martyrs. John had been exiled to the Isle of Patmos, as part of the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Domitian, and there received his vision which he records in the Book of Revelation.
In the following opening to John’s Gospel (King James Version), the John mentioned is John the Baptist, not John the Apostle.
From The Gospel of John
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him
was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness
comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the
Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness
of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man
that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe
on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 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.
Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of five poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Cascade) ― a book of poems written from the point-of-view of angels. His books are available through Amazon, and Wipf & Stock.
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