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Person · 3 Sundays

John, son of Zebedee

In the readings on 3 Sundays so far.

Byzantine icon of John the Theologian dictating the Gospel to Prochorus in a cave, 15th century
John the Theologian and Prochorus, Byzantine icon panel, early 15th century

At a glance

In the readings
3 Sundays, 10 January 2027 to 19 September 2027
Gospel passages
Matthew 4:12–22 · Luke 9:51–62 · Mark 13:28–37

Name meanings and role notes are drafted with each edition and waiting for review by a priest or editor.

The life of John, son of Zebedee

John, son of Zebedee and brother of James, a Galilean fisherman called by Jesus. One of the three closest to the Lord, he became a pillar of the Church in Jerusalem; the Church honours him as John the Theologian, writer of the fourth Gospel.

Died
At Ephesus in old age, the only one of the twelve said not to have died a martyr Tradition
Family
  • Father: Zebedee ScriptureMatthew 4:21
  • Brother: James ScriptureMatthew 4:21

  1. He leaves the boat and his father to follow Jesus.

    ScriptureMatthew 4:21–22

  2. Jesus calls him and James Sons of Thunder.

    ScriptureMark 3:17

  3. With Peter and James he sees Jairus’s daughter raised, the Transfiguration, and the agony in Gethsemane.

    ScriptureMark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33

  4. With Peter he prepares the Passover meal.

    ScriptureLuke 22:8

  5. With Peter he heals a lame man at the Temple and stands trial before the council: “We can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

    ScriptureActs 3:1–4:20

  6. Paul names him with Peter and James as a pillar of the Church in Jerusalem.

    ScriptureGalatians 2:9

  7. Early writers identify him with the beloved disciple and as author of the Gospel of John, three letters and Revelation, which was written on the island of Patmos.

    TraditionIrenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1; Revelation 1:9

  8. He lived and taught in Ephesus into old age.

    TraditionEusebius, Church History 3.23

Remembered in the Church year

  • Feast of the Twelve Apostles30 June

Read it in the Bible

  • John 1:1–18 The prologue of his Gospel
  • 1 John 4:7–21 God is love
  • Acts 3–4 With Peter in Jerusalem

Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible); Eusebius, Church History.

Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Sundays with John, son of Zebedee

  1. First Sunday after Holy Cross

    Gospel: Mark 13:28–37

    As one of “Peter, James, John and Andrew”: The four disciples who ask Jesus privately about the end (Mark 13:3).

  2. Fourth Sunday after New Sunday

    Gospel: Luke 9:51–62

    As one of “James and John”: Brothers among the twelve, quick-tempered enough to want fire from heaven.

    In the story

  3. First Sunday after Denha

    Gospel: Matthew 4:12–22

    As one of “James and John”: Sons of Zebedee, partners in a family fishing business.

    In the story

Also in these readings

About the icon

John the Theologian and Prochorus, Byzantine icon panel. early 15th century. CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Everyone in the readings