Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
Does Irenaeus maintain a distinction between John the evangelist who wrote the fourth Gospel and John the son of Zebedee who led the early church with Peter in the first chapters of Acts? I argue that there is no reason at all to think that he distinguishes these and some reason to think that he is treating them as the same person. I answer Richard Bauckham's claims on this point and show that Bauckham is reading his own views into Irenaeus in a circular fashion. In fact, he almost comes out and admits to doing so!
Does Irenaeus maintain a distinction between John the evangelist who wrote the fourth Gospel and John the son of Zebedee who led the early church with Peter in the first chapters of Acts? I argue that there is no reason at all to think that he distinguishes these and some reason to think that he is treating them as the same person. I answer Richard Bauckham's claims on this point and show that Bauckham is reading his own views into Irenaeus in a circular fashion. In fact, he almost comes out and admits to doing so!
