St. John the Evangelist was born in Bethsaida, the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of James the Greater. Traditionally, he is said to be the author of five New Testament books: the Gospel of John, the Book of Revelation, and the three Epistles of John. John is known by two other names in the New Testament. He is frequently referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Additionally, he and his brother James are often called Baonerges or "Sons of Thunder," a reference to their sometimes hot-headed reactions.
An important figure in the New Testament, John was present at many important events in the life of Jesus. With James and Peter, he witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus. During the Last Supper, he was seated next to Jesus. John followed Jesus into the high priest's house the night he was arrested and is the only Apostle to remain at the foot of the cross on Good Friday. It was here that he was given the responsibility to take care of the Virgin Mary after Jesus' death.
According to tradition, John took Mary into his home until she was assumed into heaven. After the Assumption, he went Ephesus where he wrote the three epistles which bear his name. Eventually he found himself in Rome where he was plunged into a vat of boiling oil in the Colosseum. He emerged from the oil with no injuries, and, as a result, the entire audience was converted. Because of this he was banished by the Romans to the island of Patmos. John is also said to have trained St. Polycarp and ordained him Bishop of Smyrna. Tradition holds that he died of old age at Ephesus some time after AD 98, the only Apostle to not suffer martyrdom.