Diotrephes

Diotrephes (Greek: Διοτρεφής, romanized: Diotrephēs) was a man mentioned in the Third Epistle of John (verses 9–11). His name means "nourished by Zeus". As scholar Raymond E. Brown comments, "Diotrephes is not a particularly common name."

In addition to being ambitious, proud, disrespectful of apostolic authority, rebellious, and inhospitable, the author of the letter says that Diotrephes tried to hinder those desiring to show hospitality to the brothers and to expel these from the congregation. Not even the location of Diotrephes' church can be determined from the letter.

Adolf von Harnack was of the view that Diotrephes was the earliest monarchical bishop whose name has survived.