John Wadden Bethune (5 January 1791 – 22 August 1872) was a Canadian Anglican cleric and the acting principal of McGill University from 1835 to 1846.

Born in Williamstown, Glengarry County, Upper Canada, he was the son of the Reverend John Bethune and Véronique Waddin who was the daughter of Jean-Étienne Waddens (1738–1782), a founding partner in the North West Company and formerly a professor at the University of Bern and the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

After serving in the War of 1812, he entered the ministry of the Church of England and in 1814, he was ordained by Bishop Jacob Mountain in Quebec City.

In 1818 he was made rector of Christ Church, Montreal, where he remained for more than 50 years, eventually becoming dean of the diocese.

He succeeded George Mountain as principal of McGill University from November 1835 until May 1846, afterwards replaced by Edmund Allen Meredith.