Which apostle is traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of John?

The apostle traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of John is John the Evangelist. Christian tradition identifies him with John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles and the son of Zebedee.

The Gospel of John is the fourth canonical Gospel. It presents Jesus through distinctive material, including the raising of Lazarus, seven “signs,” and the famous “I am” sayings. The text itself refers to an unnamed “disciple whom Jesus loved,” whose testimony is connected with the Gospel’s origins.

Tradition linking the work to John was widespread by the middle of the second century, and many churches also connect him with Ephesus and the Johannine writings. Modern scholarship, however, often distinguishes the traditional attribution from the unknown author or authors of the final text, generally dated to about AD 90–100.

A common mix-up is confusing John the Evangelist with John of Patmos, traditionally associated with Revelation. They may be the same person in some traditions, but many scholars regard Revelation as the work of a different John.