Sevenfold Lists Of People In The Gospel Of John

Sevenfold Lists Of People In The Gospel Of John

1) Only Seven Of The Apostles Named In The Gospel Of John

The Gospel of John contains references to seven specific disciples of Jesus by name:

A. Andrew - John 1:40; 6:8-9; 12:22

B. Peter - John 1:42; 6:68-69; 13:6-9, 24, 36-38; 18:10-11, 15-18, 25-27; 20:2-6; 21:2-3, 7-11, 15-21

C. Philip - John 1:43-46; 6:5-7; 12:21-22; 14:8-9

D. Nathanael - John 1:45-51; 21:2

E. Thomas - John 11:16; 14:5-6; 20:24-29; 21:2

F. Judas (not Iscariot) - John 14:22

G. Judas Iscariot - John 6:64-65; 70-71; 12:4-6; 13:2, 26-30; 14:22; 18:2-5

2) Seven men that interacted with Jesus in the Gospel of John:

Other than the disciples, there are 7 specific men that interacted with Jesus in the Gospel of John - the first mentions are listed below:

A. John the Baptist – John 1:6

B. Nicodemus – John 3:1

C. Lazarus – John 11:1

D. Caiaphas - John 11:49

E. Annas – John 18:13

F. Pilate – John 18:29

G. Joseph of Arimathaea – John 19:38

3) The Apostle John refers to himself seven times in his Gospel without naming himself:

A. John 1:35-39 He was one of John the Baptist’s disciples, and became one of Jesus’ very first disciples.

B. John 13:23-26 At the last supper, Jesus tells John who will betray the Lord.

C. John 18:15-16 This disciple knew the high priest and was able to get both him and Peter into the palace of the high priest during Jesus’ trials.

D. John 19:26-27, 35 Jesus gives His mother into John’s care, and John witnesses Jesus on the cross.

E. John 20:2-9 John races with Peter to the empty tomb.

F. John 21:7-8 John realizes it is Jesus speaking to the fishermen from the shore.

G. John 21:20-24 Peter questions Jesus about John and what will happen to him in the future.

4) 7 specific women are mentioned in the Gospel of John:

A. Mary, the mother of Jesus - John 2:1-5; 19:25-27

B. Samaritan woman – John 4:7-30, 39-42

C. Adulterous woman - John 8:3-11

D. Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus – John 11:1-5, 19-20, 28-33, 45; 12:1-7

E. Martha – John 11:1-5, 19-28, 30, 39-40; 12:1-2

F. Mary, wife of Cleophas – John 19:25

G. Mary Magdalene – John 19:25; 20:1-2, 11-18

5) 7 people and things that bear witness to Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John:

A. John the Baptist - John 1:6-8, 15, 32-34; 3:26; 5:32-33

B. Jesus Himself - John 5:31; 8:14, 18

C. Jesus’ Works (miracles) - John 5:36; 10:25

D. The Father – John 5:37

E. The Scriptures - John 5:39

F. The Holy Spirit – John 15:26

G. The Apostle John – John 19:35; 21:24

6) Seven different people affirm Jesus’ deity in this Gospel:

A. John the Baptist (John 1:34) 

John 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

B. Nathanael (John 1:49)

John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

C. Peter (John 6:69)

John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

D. Jesus (John 10:36)

John 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

E. Martha (John 11:27)

John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

F. Thomas (John 20:28)

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

G. John the Apostle (John 20:31)

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

“Including His own affirmation of it, seven different ones avow His Deity in this Gospel. First, John the Baptist: 'And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God' (1:34). Second, Nathaniel, 'Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God' (1:49). Third, Peter, 'And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God' (6:69). The Lord Himself, 'Say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?' (10:36). Fifth, Martha, 'She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world' (11:27). Sixth, Thomas, 'And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God' (20:28). Seventh, the writer of this fourth Gospel, 'These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name' (20:31)." - Arthur Pink, Why Four Gospels?

7) 7 Apostles went back to fishing after Jesus' resurrection:

Peter got discouraged after denying the Lord on the night He was betrayed, and went back to his old life, back to his fishing occupation. Six other Apostles also went with him.

John 21:1-3 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

One amazing thing about this whole chapter is God called the Apostles back to the fulltime ministry He had prepared for them. He didn't give up on them. He restored Peter, but also the others saw His provision and affirmation for the life's work He had called them to do. He still had a purpose and a plan for them - that overlooked their failures and doubts - and showed them that He could take care of His own.

This situation was similar to the account in Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus first called Peter and Andrew, James and John. Back then, after Jesus performed His miracle, it was their boats that were sinking, their nets that were tearing - their resources. But in John 21, they were now servants of the Lord - all that they had belonged to Him - their boats and nets, themselves - and He took care of them. A post-resurrection (private) miracle just for them, to reinforce the promises of God. Where He calls, He carries; where He guides, He provides; where He leads, we need to follow. In the center of His will is the best place to be!

Jerry Bouey

Running sevens count: 251