What is the origin of the story of the Apostle John surviving being dipped in boiling oil?

Question

What is the earliest record of the Apostle John being placed in boiling oil and miraculously living? I can't find any scriptural mention of the story. The only reference I have is Tertullian:

"Since, moreover, you are close upon Italy, you have Rome, from which there comes even into our own hands the very authority (of apostles themselves). How happy is its church, on which apostles poured forth all their doctrine along with their blood; where Peter endures a passion like his Lord's; where Paul wins his crown in a death like John [the Baptist]'s; where the Apostle John was first plunged, unhurt, into boiling oil, and thence remitted to his island-exile."

The Prescription Against Heretics, Ch. 36

Answer 1

The earliest extant reference to John being thrown in boiling oil from Tertullian, c. 200. His casual mention of the event suggests that it was a widely known story during his day, although it is hard to say by what amount of time the story predates Tertullian.

If the story has any basis in fact, it is usually assumed to have taken place late in the reign of Domitian (81-96). The only book of the New Testament that directly covers church history, The Acts of the Apostles, ends in about 61. Assuming Johannine authorship of I John, II John, and III John, all three would predate the boiling incident. The remaining Johannine literature - Gospel of John and Revelation - would not be expected to mention it either. Thus, we would not expect the story to be mentioned in the Bible, even if it is true.