Deepertruth: The Third Apostle, St. John Whom Jesus Loved

St. John was one of the original followers Christ called as he was fishing with his Brother James. They were the sons of Zebedee. After the first miracle of the catch of fish, “they left everything and followed him”.

Jesus chose 12 Apostles, but Peter, James and John were the Lord’s leaders. They were present at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1) and in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37).

St. John was the youngest and probably the fastest among the Apostles (John 20:4).

It is interesting that he beat St. Peter to the tomb, yet he waited for St. Peter to inspect the tomb first. St. John was refereed to as the one “whom Jesus loved”.

Of the Apostles, only St. John is mentioned to be present at the crucifixion scene.

The Lord from the cross gave his Mother Mary to St. John to stay and care for her in his house.

Like St. John, we too have been given our Lady as a gift, as our Mother.

St. Peter asked our Lord about St. John, how he would die.

Jesus had told St. Peter how he would glorify God with his death, so Jesus responds to him saying, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me. So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die”.