Both Irenaeus and Tertullian say that Polycarp had been a disciple of John the Apostle, one of Jesus' disciples. In On Illustrious Men, Jerome writes that Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle and that John had ordained him as a bishop of Smyrna.

Did papias know John?

According to the 2nd-century theologian St. Irenaeus, Papias had known the Apostle John. ... Papias's interpretation of the Gospels was used by Eastern and Western Christian theologians down to the early 4th century.

Was Ignatius a disciple of John?

It is said Ignatius converted to Christianity at a young age. Tradition identifies Ignatius, along with his friend Polycarp, as disciples of John the Apostle. Later in his life, Ignatius was chosen to serve as Bishop of Antioch; the fourth-century Church historian Eusebius writes that Ignatius succeeded Evodius.