John of Patmos.html



"Saint John on Patmos" by Hans Baldung Grien, 1511

John of Patmos is the name given to the author of the Book of Revelation (or Book of the Apocalypse) in the New Testament. According to the text of Revelation, the author, who gives his name as "John," is living in exile on the Greek island of Patmos. In Revelation, he writes to the seven Christian churches in Asia to relate two apocalyptic visions he has had. John of Patmos is often referred to as John the Divine, or John the Theologian, and the message he received is considered divine Revelation by most Christians. Apocalypse is a Greek word for revelation or uncovering, and divine an old Anglican¹ usage meaning theologian. He is also known as the Eagle of Patmos² and John the Seer. Several Christian denominations regard him as a prophet and a saint.

John of Patmos, the author of the Book of Revelation, was traditionally believed to be the same person as both John, the apostle of Jesus and John the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of John. Justin Martyr, writing in the early 2nd century, was the first to equate the author of Revelation with John the apostle.³ Some biblical scholars now contend that these were separate individuals.⁴⁵

John the Presbyter, teacher of Papias, bishop of Hieropolis in the early 2nd century, is often conflated with John of Patmos or with the Apostle. Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea, and Dionysius of Alexandria both identified the John in Revelation as John the Presbyter. However, since John was a common name among early Christians it cannot be ruled out that John of Patmos was a John distinct from John the evangelist, John the apostle and John the author of the Johannine epistles.

See also

Saint John of Patmos, by Jean Fouquet

• Authorship of the Johannine works
• Book of Revelation - Authorship, Audience, and Date

References

1. ^ this being the old English translation
2. ^ http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/saints12-10.htm accessed September 15, 2007
3. ^ Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 81.4
4. ^ Harris, Stephen L., Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985. p. 355
5. ^ Ehrman, Bart D. (2004). The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford. pp.p.468. ISBN 0-19-515462-2.