'John' as an apostle signifies the good of love to the Lord, and consequent good of life. For this reason he was loved more than the other apostles, and at the last supper leaned on Jesus. (John 8:23, 21:20)

In Matthew 4:21, John represents the goods or works of charity. As good works are the complex of charity and faith with man, and because life as lived is what makes charity, the Lord loved John more than all the other disciples. (Arcana Coelestia 6075[3])

(References: Apocalypse Revealed 790; John 8; Revelation 1, Revelation 1:4, 4)