Question about the age of the Apostle St. John

[RollTide1987]

St. John is traditionally regarded as having been the youngest Apostle to follow Jesus during his ministry. However it wasn’t until recently I found out just how young St. John was thought to have been at the time Christ walked the earth. According to Wikipedia, the Apostle St. John is believed to have been born in 15 AD. That would make him a mere 14 or 15 years old at the time of Jesus’ death on the cross in 30 AD. We know Jesus ministered throughout Judea for 3 years before he and his followers arrived in Jerusalem for Passover. That means St. John was only 12 years old when he joined Jesus in his ministry. Why would Jesus make an Apostle out of someone so young?

 

[babs57]

Yes, John was very young. (young enough to fall asleep on Jesus at the Last Supper). But back then a 12 year old boy would have been considered a young man. Remember that Mary was probably 13 or 14 when she concieved Jesus.

Jesus knew that John was going to outlive all the other apostles. It may be in order that he could give us his gospel, (which is more theological in its perspective) and Revelation. Remember when Jesus told Peter to tend His sheep, and Peter asks Jesus about John? Jesus says “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (Jn 21:23)

Oh yeah. Also, Mary needed someone to look after her. John was young enough to outlive her.

 

[steve_b]

St. John is traditionally regarded as having been the youngest Apostle to follow Jesus during his ministry. However it wasn’t until recently I found out just how young St. John was thought to have been at the time Christ walked the earth. According to Wikipedia, the Apostle St. John is believed to have been born in 15 AD. That would make him a mere 14 or 15 years old at the time of Jesus’ death on the cross in 30 AD. We know Jesus ministered throughout Judea for 3 years before he and his followers arrived in Jerusalem for Passover. That means St. John was only 12 years old when he joined Jesus in his ministry. Why would Jesus make an Apostle out of someone so young?

Have you ever noticed all the “reference needed” side bars next to texts in Wikipedia?

isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k70847&pageid=icb.page346376

their disclaimer reads “information on Wikipedia is contributed by anyone who wants to post material, and the expertise of the posters is not taken into consideration”

When Wiki doesn’t validate their own accuracy, I personally don’t trust them.

 

[mikeeh]

I always wonder if St. John the Evangelist (aka the Beloved Disciple) was not really an apostle. In the Gospel of John he doesn’t actually name the Beloved Disciple nor does he ever call him an apostle. He may have been one of the 70-72 disciples of Jesus. I like to think he was the nephew of Jesus from one of Jesus’ older stepbrothers. Which would make it more understandable why Jesus told the Beloved Disciple to care for Mary, they were family.

 

[babs57]

Have you ever noticed all the “reference needed” side bars next to texts in Wikipedia?

isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k70847&pageid=icb.page346376

their disclaimer reads “information on Wikipedia is contributed by anyone who wants to post material, and the expertise of the posters is not taken into consideration”

When Wiki doesn’t validate their own accuracy, I personally don’t trust them.

True, BUT I have heard estimates on the age of John anywhere from 14-25 yrs. when he met Jesus. According to St. Jerome, John died in the 68th year after Jesus’ death. He was a very great age at the time. So, a guess of “a very great age” would be what? 85? 95? If 95, then John would have been 27 during the passion. If “a very great age” was closer to 85, that would put John at 17 years old at the passion. That would make him 14 when he met Jesus. Not an unreasonable age to begin a career 2000 years ago. (Key words here…not unreasonable). We must understand it is guesswork.