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The Bible has been the most influential text in all of Western culture. It's difficult to understand medieval or early modern or much of modern literature without knowing it...

Prof. Barbara Newman, Northwestern University
from 2006 Bible Literary project

John

Picture description: John the Baptist preaches
Picture copyright: Cook Communications Ministries

Bible Verse

Matthew 3:1

Meaning

It is an anglicised form of the Latin name Iohannes which came from the Greek name Ιωαννης (Ioannes) originating from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan). The name carries the meaning of “God is gracious”. Two famous characters in the New Testament bore the name—John the Baptist and John the Apostle. The former was a prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ. To fulfill all righteousness, Jesus asked John to baptise him. The latter was the youngest disciple of Jesus, who wrote the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation while living in exile.

Gender

Male

Example

Keywords

apostle    Book of Revelation    disciple    exile    Jesus    John the Baptist   

Related Information

NIV official site
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