His name means “God is merciful.” Mercy shone throughout the life of the youngest of the apostles.
Newsroom (12/27/2025, Gaudium Press) Saint John the Evangelist, is universally known the beloved disciple.
The name of this evangelist means “God is merciful,” a name that serves well to express what he represented, since mercy was like a “prophecy” that was gradually fulfilled throughout the life of the youngest of the apostles.
Saint John was a Jew from Galilee; he was born in Bethsaida. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, the brother of James the Greater, and also a fisherman, like Peter and Andrew.
The disciple who heard the beating of the Heart of Christ occupied a place of prominence among the apostles. It was he who, at the Last Supper, was reclining on Jesus’ shoulder, and it was also to John that Jesus said: “Son, behold your mother,” and, looking at the Virgin, He said: “Woman, behold your son” (Jn 19:26ff). Saint John welcomed the Most Holy Virgin into his home.
At the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, it was John, together with Peter and James, who was there accompanying the Lord.
John is always the man of spiritual elevation; we should not imagine someone fanciful or excessively delicate, to the point that Jesus called him and his brother James “sons of thunder.”
When news arrived of the Lord’s empty tomb, Saint John ran together with Saint Peter to verify the fact. John, being younger, arrived before the first Pope. But upon arriving, the two “saw and believed.”
Later, when Jesus appeared to them on the Sea of Galilee, Peter asked about John’s future, and the Lord answered: “If I want him to remain until I come (that is, until His return at the end of time), what is that to you? You, follow Me.”
Author of the Apocalypse – John rescues a wretched man
He wrote the Apocalypse, three epistles, and the Gospel of Saint John, in which he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” John continually exhorted the faithful to fraternal love, as is evident from his three letters, received among the sacred texts: “My little children, love one another.”
Unlike all the other apostles who died as martyrs, Saint John departed peacefully to the House of the Father, in Ephesus, Turkey, around the year one hundred of the Christian era. According to Saint Epiphanius, Saint John would have died at the age of 94. His feast is celebrated on December 27.
An episode recounted by Saint Clement of Alexandria
In an episode of his life recounted by Saint Clement of Alexandria, one day Saint John saw, in a city, a young man among the congregation and, sensing that much good could be drawn from him, he brought him to the Bishop, who had been consecrated as such by Saint John himself. Then Saint John said: “In the presence of Christ and before this congregation, I entrust this young man to your care.”
At Saint John’s recommendation, the young man stayed in the Bishop’s house, who instructed him in the faith, baptized him, and confirmed him.
However, the Bishop’s care grew cold; the young man fell in with bad company and became a robber. After some time, Saint John returned and asked the Bishop for the charge that Jesus Christ and he himself had entrusted to his care before the Church.
The Prelate was surprised, thinking it was about some money, but the apostle explained that he was referring to the young man. The Bishop then replied: “The poor young man died.”
“Of what did he die?” asked Saint John.
“He died to God, since he is a thief,” replied the Bishop.
Upon hearing this, the elderly apostle asked for a horse and, with the help of a guide, went to the mountains where the robbers had their hideout. As soon as he arrived, he was taken prisoner. In the hideout of the criminals, the young man recognized the saint and tried to flee, but the apostle shouted:
“Young man! Why do you flee from me, your father, an old man and unarmed? There is always time for repentance. I will answer for you before my Lord Jesus Christ and am ready to give my life for your salvation. It is Christ who sends me.”
The young man stopped, bowed his head, began to weep, and approached the saint to implore a second chance. Saint John, for his part, did not leave the robbers’ hideout until the sinner was reconciled with God.
“My little children, love one another”
This charity, which he sought to ignite in others, was reflected in his saying: “My little children, love one another.” Once he was asked why he always repeated this phrase, and Saint John replied:
“Because this is the Lord’s commandment, and if you fulfill it, you will have done enough.” (JSG)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
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