John lived in Umayyad Damascus and his inspiration may well have been the claim made by upstart Islam that Muhammad had 'ascended to Heaven', supposedly in the year 620 (Qur'an, surah 17.1).
Nabuhay si Juan sa bayan ng Umayyad sa Damasco, at ang turo ng baguhang relihiyong Islam doon na ‘umakyat sa langit’ si Muhamad noong 620 (ayon sa Qur’an 17.1) ang malamang na pinagpulutan nila ng ganoong ideya.