by Dorcas Kulwa | 15 July 2025 08:46 pm07
How Many Johns Are There in the Bible?
In the New Testament, four individuals named John are mentioned. Two of these—John the Baptist and John the Apostle—are especially significant and appear frequently throughout the Scriptures.
John the Baptist played a crucial role as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was the one who prepared the way for the Messiah by calling people to repentance and baptizing them as a symbol of cleansing from sin. He is described as the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25), both from priestly and righteous lineage, emphasizing his prophetic calling.
Luke 1:13-17 (NIV):
“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John…He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.’”
John baptized Jesus himself, marking the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry (Matthew 3:13-17). His boldness extended to confronting political powers, which ultimately led to his martyrdom when Herod Antipas had him beheaded (Mark 6:14-29).
John the Apostle was one of Jesus’ closest disciples and is traditionally credited with authoring the Gospel of John, three epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), and the Book of Revelation. He is called the “beloved disciple” and was part of Jesus’ inner circle, alongside Peter and James (John 13:23).
Matthew 10:2 (NIV):
“These are the names of the twelve apostles: The first is Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John…” John 21:20-24 reflects his unique witness and deep understanding of Jesus’ mission.
John’s writings emphasize the deity of Christ (John 1:1), the importance of love (1 John 4:7-21), and the hope of eternal life (1 John 5:11-13).
John Mark is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was a close companion to Paul and Barnabas during their missionary journeys (Acts 12:12, 13:5, 15:37-39). Mark’s gospel is considered the earliest written account of Jesus’ life, focusing on Jesus as the suffering servant and Son of God.
Colossians 4:10 (NIV):
“My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.”
Mark’s role as a helper and encourager highlights the importance of partnership and teamwork in the early Church’s mission.
Another John mentioned is the father of Simon Peter. This identification comes from Jesus’ renaming of Simon as Cephas (Peter), which means “rock” (John 1:42).
John 1:42 (NIV):
“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).”
Peter became the foremost apostle, and this reference grounds his identity in his family lineage.
Thus, four distinct men named John appear in the New Testament, each playing a unique role in God’s redemptive plan—from preparing the way for Christ, being his closest disciple, authoring Scripture, to supporting the early Church’s mission.
Would you like me to provide further theological reflections or explore other biblical figures?
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