The Gospel of John is the only one of the four which records the statement, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Most biblical scholars agree that Jesus was referring to John, the son of Zebedee. In recent years some church leaders have added to the list of candidates for this "beloved disciple." Many point to Jesus' "inner circle" of disciples, Peter, James, and John. Some church leaders and biblical scholars want to pin Nicodemus as this disciple, while still others say an unidentified priest who may have lived in Jerusalem at this particular time could have been the man. If we look closer at the text, we may narrow it down to one particular person.
Authorship Unfortunately the text of the Gospel of John doesn't reveal the name of the author. The testimony of early Christian writers are in favor of John being the author of the book. Its quite obvious that if we identify "the disciple whom Jesus loved", then we have revealed the book's author.
Joseph of Arimathea Scholars believe that this man was a member of the Sanhedrin, a court assembly of ancient Israel. The Bible tells us that he was a disciple of Jesus but, "secretly because he feared the Jews." This could be the reason why an author of the book was left out, if it was indeed this man.
Lazarus He is the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany, and of course the man whom Jesus raised from the dead. John 11:3 Lazarus' sisters came to Jesus saying, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." Also, John 11:36, "then said the Jews, behold how he loved him!" Its interesting to note that the book of John never mentions Lazarus by name after chapter 12. The first time the author mentions this "beloved disciple" is in chapter 13, making it seem that this was no coincidence, as if to say the author was just simply referring to Lazarus in a different way. The other 3 Gospels doesn't mention Lazarus, which makes it a bit odd because the miracle Jesus performed raising him from the dead was remarkable and witnessed by His disciples. One would think it would be included in at least one of the other Gospels.
John, son of Zebedee As mentioned earlier, the Gospel of John is the only one that records "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Something else that is not recorded in the other Gospels is in John 21:20, "which also leaned on his breast at supper." Peter remembered seeing this disciple leaning into Jesus at supper. John 21:23-24 "that disciple should not die.....this is the disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things..." This verse is not saying that this disciple would live forever, but may imply a long life and would die a natural death. This verse, many bible scholars suggest, is the one that points to John as being the author.
Final thoughts
It would seem that "the disciple whom Jesus loved" was in fact John, the son of Zebedee. Church history tells us that John lived into A.D. 90's and was the last surviving Apostle. It would seem that John had a special relationship with Jesus, closer than that of the other two in the "inner circle"(Peter, James). Jesus trusted John with the care of His mother, gave John the vision of the transfiguration, and gave him the book of Revelation. For most church leaders and biblical scholars, authorship confirmation comes from John 21:20-24. Peter asked Jesus, "what shall this man do?" and Jesus response, "he shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" John is the only Apostle to have died peacefully through natural death or old age.
So brothers and sisters, what do you think?
Authorship Unfortunately the text of the Gospel of John doesn't reveal the name of the author. The testimony of early Christian writers are in favor of John being the author of the book. Its quite obvious that if we identify "the disciple whom Jesus loved", then we have revealed the book's author.
Joseph of Arimathea Scholars believe that this man was a member of the Sanhedrin, a court assembly of ancient Israel. The Bible tells us that he was a disciple of Jesus but, "secretly because he feared the Jews." This could be the reason why an author of the book was left out, if it was indeed this man.
Lazarus He is the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany, and of course the man whom Jesus raised from the dead. John 11:3 Lazarus' sisters came to Jesus saying, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." Also, John 11:36, "then said the Jews, behold how he loved him!" Its interesting to note that the book of John never mentions Lazarus by name after chapter 12. The first time the author mentions this "beloved disciple" is in chapter 13, making it seem that this was no coincidence, as if to say the author was just simply referring to Lazarus in a different way. The other 3 Gospels doesn't mention Lazarus, which makes it a bit odd because the miracle Jesus performed raising him from the dead was remarkable and witnessed by His disciples. One would think it would be included in at least one of the other Gospels.
John, son of Zebedee As mentioned earlier, the Gospel of John is the only one that records "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Something else that is not recorded in the other Gospels is in John 21:20, "which also leaned on his breast at supper." Peter remembered seeing this disciple leaning into Jesus at supper. John 21:23-24 "that disciple should not die.....this is the disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things..." This verse is not saying that this disciple would live forever, but may imply a long life and would die a natural death. This verse, many bible scholars suggest, is the one that points to John as being the author.
Final thoughts
It would seem that "the disciple whom Jesus loved" was in fact John, the son of Zebedee. Church history tells us that John lived into A.D. 90's and was the last surviving Apostle. It would seem that John had a special relationship with Jesus, closer than that of the other two in the "inner circle"(Peter, James). Jesus trusted John with the care of His mother, gave John the vision of the transfiguration, and gave him the book of Revelation. For most church leaders and biblical scholars, authorship confirmation comes from John 21:20-24. Peter asked Jesus, "what shall this man do?" and Jesus response, "he shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" John is the only Apostle to have died peacefully through natural death or old age.
So brothers and sisters, what do you think?
