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When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And when they had brought their ships to land, straightway left their nets, they forsook all, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. And straightway he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him (UG 36 [United Gospel]; Mt 4:18—22; Mk 1:16—20; Lk 5:1—11). This is how John became a disciple of Jesus.
It so happened that Jesus and the four of his disciples entered a synagogue in Capernaum. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon Peter and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he came and saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. He stood over her, took her by the hand, lifted her up, and rebuked the fever; and immediately the fever left her, she arose and ministered unto them (UG 38; Mt 8:14—15; Mk 1:29—31; Lk 4:38—39). John was the eyewitness to this healing.
After that, the number of disciples increased. This is how it happened. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples whom he would, and they came unto him: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast out devils, and power to heal sicknesses, to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; the first, Simon, (whom he also named [Cephas] Peter,) and Andrew his brother [sons of Jona]; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, the sons of thunder; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and [Levi] Matthew the publican [son of Alphaeus]; James the son of Alphaeus, and Judas (the [son] of James) Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, called Zelotes, and Judas Iscariot [son of Simon], who also was the traitor, which betrayed him (UG 50; Mt 10:1—4; Mk 3:13—19; Lk 6:12—16).
Another time Jesus suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth (Mk 5:37—39; compare UG 67; Mt 9:23—24; Lk 8:51—52). Later, John saw Jesus raise from the dead the daughter of the synagogue ruler.
Next time Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves to pray. And as he prayed, was transfigured before them: the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his face did shine as the sun. And his raiment became shining as the light, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And, behold, two men appeared unto them, and they were talking with Jesus, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. While he yet spake, behold, there came a bright cloud, and overshadowed them: And they feared as they entered into the cloud. And behold a voice came out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, and suddenly had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen, Questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. And how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things of them, and be set at nought. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist (UG 90—91; Mt 17:1—13; Mk 9:2—13; Lk 9:28—36).
The apostles would often go out on their own to preach the Good News by the command of Jesus. One day they returned to Jesus and John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us (Lk 9:49—50; compare UG 95; Mk 9:38—40).
There’s one more Gospel episode that mentions John’s mother. Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? These two sons said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit in thy kingdom, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I shall drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the my cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren James and John (UG 137; Mt 20:20—24; Mk 10:35—41). In speaking about his cup and the Baptism, Jesus referred to his future death on the cross.
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover (Lk 22:7—13; compare UG 154; Mt 26:17—19; Mk 14:12—16).
In the evening, Christ and his disciples came together to share a meal. Jesus was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples [John], whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him (Jn 13:21—28).
After the meal, Jesus and the apostles left the house. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he saith to his disciples,