# John the Evangelist

> author of the Gospel of John; traditionally identified with John the Apostle of Jesus, John of Patmos (author of Revelation), and John the Presbyter

**Wikidata**: [Q328804](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328804)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Evangelist)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-the-evangelist

## Summary
John the Evangelist is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of John, one of the four canonical gospels of the New Testament. He is also traditionally associated with the authorship of the Book of Revelation and is believed to be the same individual as John the Apostle of Jesus and John the Presbyter. His contributions are foundational to early Christian theology and literature.

## Biography
- Born: Unknown date and place
- Nationality: Ancient Israel/Roman Judea (historical context)
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Authoring the Gospel of John and possibly the Book of Revelation
- Employer(s): Not specified
- Field(s): Religious writing, theology, early Christianity
- (Use bullet points. Include only facts from the source material. Omit any field where data is not available.)

## Contributions
John the Evangelist is primarily known for his authorship of the Gospel of John, which is one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament. This gospel is distinct in its theological emphasis on the divinity of Jesus, often referred to as the "spiritual gospel." He may also have authored the Book of Revelation, traditionally ascribed to John of Patmos, and is sometimes identified with John the Presbyter, who is credited with writing the three epistles of John (1 John, 2 John, and 3 John).

## FAQs
### What is John the Evangelist known for?
John the Evangelist is known for authoring the Gospel of John, which is one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament. His gospel is unique in its theological depth and emphasis on the divinity of Jesus, distinguishing it from the synoptic gospels.

### Is John the Evangelist the same as John the Apostle?
Yes, John the Evangelist is traditionally identified with John the Apostle of Jesus. Both are often considered the same individual, though some modern scholars distinguish between John the Apostle, John the Evangelist, and John of Patmos.

### Did John the Evangelist write other biblical texts?
Tradition attributes the authorship of the Book of Revelation and the three epistles of John (1 John, 2 John, and 3 John) to John the Evangelist, although some of these texts are also ascribed to John of Patmos or John the Presbyter.

### What distinguishes the Gospel of John from the other gospels?
The Gospel of John is distinct for its theological emphasis, particularly on the divinity of Jesus, and is often called the "spiritual gospel." It contains unique narratives and discourses not found in the synoptic gospels, such as the prologue describing the Word (Logos) and the detailed accounts of Jesus's ministry in Judea.

## Why They Matter
John the Evangelist's theological contributions, particularly through the Gospel of John, have profoundly shaped Christian doctrine and understanding of Jesus's divinity. His work laid foundational elements for subsequent Christian theology, especially in emphasizing the eternal and divine nature of Christ. The spiritual depth of his writings has influenced Christian mysticism and continues to be a cornerstone in theological education and scriptural interpretation.

## Notable For
- Authoring the Gospel of John, a cornerstone of Christian scripture
- Possible authorship of the Book of Revelation
- Writing the Johannine epistles (1, 2, and 3 John)
- Being identified with John the Apostle and John the Presbyter
- Influencing Christian theology through a unique narrative style and emphasis on the spiritual aspects of Jesus's life

## Body
### Identity and Authorship
John the Evangelist is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of John, a text that stands apart from the other synoptic gospels due to its unique theological themes and narrative style. He is also often associated with John the Apostle, one of Jesus's original twelve disciples, and John of Patmos, the traditional author of the Book of Revelation. Some traditions and scholars also identify him with John the Presbyter, who is credited with the authorship of the three short epistles that bear his name.

### Theological Contributions
The Gospel of John is notable for its prologue, which introduces Jesus as the "Word" (Logos) and emphasizes his divine nature. This gospel includes unique events and discourses not found in Matthew, Mark, or Luke, such as the wedding at Cana, the raising of Lazarus, and the detailed accounts of Jesus's ministry in Jerusalem. These contributions have had a lasting impact on Christian theology, particularly in the development of doctrines concerning the divinity of Christ.

### Canonical Works
John the Evangelist is traditionally credited with authoring the following works:
- The Gospel of John: A foundational text that emphasizes the spiritual and theological aspects of Jesus's life and teachings.
- The three Epistles of John (1 John, 2 John, 3 John): Short letters that address early Christian communities, focusing on love, truth, and combating false teachings.
- Possibly the Book of Revelation: Though traditionally ascribed to John of Patmos, some early Christian traditions attribute this apocalyptic text to John the Evangelist as well.

### Legacy and Influence
John the Evangelist's legacy is deeply embedded in the Christian canon. His works continue to be studied for their profound theological insights and have influenced countless theologians, including figures like John Wesley, who drew extensively from Johannine theology in the development of Methodist doctrine. Churches named in his honor, such as the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and various other religious institutions, reflect his enduring impact on Christian tradition.

### Connections to Physical and Institutional Legacy
John the Evangelist is commemorated in numerous churches and religious institutions worldwide, including:
- The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York
- The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome
- Churches such as San Giovanni Evangelista in various locations including Ravenna and Venice

His influence extends beyond the New Testament, with references in apocryphal texts like the Book of the Secret Supper, indicating his role in early Christian mystical literature.

### Scholarly and Cultural Impact
John's theological emphasis has contributed to Christian mysticism and continues to be a subject of scholarly interest. His work is cited in numerous academic and religious contexts, as evidenced by identifiers such as:
- P18 (image references)
- P214 (VIAF identifiers)
- P227 (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek identifier)
- P244 (LC n79060715)
- P269 (SUDOC identifier)
- P373 (Saint John the Evangelist)
- P409 (NLA identifier)
- P569 (birth date)
- P570 (death date)
- P646 (Freebase ID)
- P906 (SELIBR identifier)
- P1006 (NTA identifier)
- P1938 (Project Gutenberg author page)
- P2163 (LC GSC identifier)
- P2799 (BIBSYS identifier)
- P3065 (Swissbib identifier)
- P3219 (Encyclopædia Universalis identifier)
- P3348 (National Library of Greece identifier)
- P3365 (Treccani identifier)
- P3569 (Bibl. Sc. Cat. ident.)
- P3987 (SBN identifier)
- P4212 (Perseus ID)
- P4549 (DNCZ identifier)
- P4802 (NEBIS identifier)
- P5019 (Brockhaus)
- P5063 (ISNI)
- P5504 (RISM)
- P5587 (Libris)
- P5986 (RERO)
- P6394 (BNE identifier)
- P6934 (NEBIS ID)
- P7293 (Polish National Library)
- P7305 (BNC identifier)
- P7842 (Open Library)
- P7902 (DNB)
- P8168 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P8189 (National Library of Israel)
- P8349 (Enciclopedia Italiana)
- P8814 (WordNet 3.1)
- P8980 (Finnish National)
- P9037 (World Heritage Sites)
- P9097 (Bavarian Library)
- P9179 (Austrian National Library)
- P9223 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P9287 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P9756 (Chinese Library)
- P9964 (DNB)
- P9984 (WorldCat)
- P10227 (Bavarian Library)
- P10553 (BNE)
- P10608 (GND)
- P10799 (LCCN)
- P10832 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P11686 (WorldCat)
- P12288 (SBN)
- P12385 (BNE)
- P1256 (Iconclass)
- P12597 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P13049 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P13183 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P13204 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P13311 (Bridgeman Art Library)
- P13315 (Bridgeman Art Library)

These identifiers reflect the extensive scholarly and institutional recognition of John the Evangelist's contributions to Christian theology and literature.

## References

1. Gospel of Mark
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/santo-giovanni-evangelista/)
5. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
6. LIBRIS. 2010
7. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aistich.php)
8. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Jan-Ewangelista;3916588.html)
9. FactGrid
10. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
11. Provenio
12. Digital Scriptorium Catalog