Was john the last deciple to die and who was he to Jesus?

Answer 1

Except for the Apostle James (Acts 12:1), The Bible does not record how the other Apostles died.

However, it seems reasonable to conclude that the Apostle John was the most likely last Apostle to die. A major indication is that John was the last one to write any of the books of the Bible. Chronologically, Matthew wrote his gospel account in 41 C.E., Peter wrote his letters between 61-64 C.E. and John wrote his books between 96-98 C.E. The other writings were done by other disciples but they ended in the year 65 C.E. Therefore, it seems that John may have outlived his other Apostles by 30+ years.

Who was he to Jesus?

It is possible that he was a cousin to Jesus, his mother Salome may have been Mary's sister. Salome was a follower of Jesus (see attached link for this discussion)

The Apostle John, along his brother James and Peter were evidently very close to Jesus as indicated by these factors:

1) The three were included in some of the more intimate moments of Jesus life

The transfiguration (Matthew 17:1,2) Included in private moments in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37) & John sat next to Jesus at his last Passover meal (John 13:23)

2) He was the one Jesus asked to take care of his mother (John 19:26, 27)

Scripture Citations:

(Acts 12:1) About that particular time Herod the king applied his hands to mistreating some of those of the congregation. 2 He did away with James the brother of John by the sword.

(Matthew 17:1, 2) Six days later Jesus took Peter and James and John his brother along and brought them up into a lofty mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his outer garments became brilliant as the light.

(Matthew 26:37) And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zeb′e·dee, he started to be grieved and to be sorely troubled.

(John 13:23) There was reclining in front of Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, and Jesus loved him.

(John 19:26, 27) Therefore Jesus, seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by, said to his mother: "Woman, see! Your son!" 27 Next he said to the disciple: "See! Your mother!" And from that hour on the disciple took her to his own home.