Home › Glossary › Letter J

John

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

One of Jesus’s closest disciples, traditionally identified as the author of the Fourth Gospel and the Book of Revelation.

Detailed Definition
John, son of Zebedee, leaned on Jesus’ breast, witnessed the cross, and wrote profound works on love and eschatology. Tradition holds he died in exile. In poetry, John symbolizes intimate discipleship, the fusion of love and truth, and the visionary who sees beyond time—often representing the contemplative heart that beholds divine glory and eternal hope.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," John the beloved disciple embodies intimate knowledge of Christ; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," John’s leaning on Jesus’ breast models closeness; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," John symbolizes the contemplative apostle; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," John represents the witness to the Word made flesh; In Christina Rossetti’s "Later Life," John’s care for Mary inspires filial devotion; In T.S. Eliot’s "Four Quartets," John’s Gospel becomes the lens of divine love.
Additional Notes
John: Apostle, “beloved disciple,” traditionally author of Gospel, Epistles, and Revelation. In poetry, John symbolizes intimate discipleship (“reclined on Jesus’ chest”), theological depth (“the Word was God”), and apocalyptic vision. His exile on Patmos (Rev 1:9) adds martyr-like endurance—ideal for poems on love as knowledge, the mystery of the Logos, or the seer’s burden.
Also Known As
John the Apostle John son of Zebedee John the Evangelist John Milton
Skip to main content