Who was the Beloved Disciple?

The "beloved disciple" is a term used in the Gospel of John to refer to an unnamed disciple of Jesus who was particularly close to him. The identity of this disciple has been debated for centuries, with various theories being proposed.

Possible Candidates

Several individuals have been suggested as possible candidates for the beloved disciple:

• John the Baptist: The Gospel of John mentions that the beloved disciple was "the one whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23), which could potentially refer to John the Baptist, who was Jesus' cousin and forerunner. However, this theory is unlikely as John the Baptist was beheaded before the events of the Gospel of John.

• John the Evangelist: Tradition has often identified the beloved disciple with John the Evangelist, who is credited with writing the Gospel of John. This theory is supported by the fact that the author of the Gospel frequently refers to the beloved disciple but does not name him, which suggests that he may have been writing about himself.

• Lazarus: Some scholars have suggested that the beloved disciple may have been Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Jesus (John 11). This theory is based on the close relationship between Lazarus and Jesus, as well as the fact that Lazarus' sister, Mary, is mentioned as being present at the Last Supper (John 12:3), where the beloved disciple was also present.

• Peter: Peter is another possible candidate for the beloved disciple, as he was one of Jesus' closest followers and was often present at important events. However, Peter is mentioned by name in the Gospel of John, and his character is distinct from that of the beloved disciple.

The identity of the beloved disciple remains a mystery, and there is no definitive answer to the question of who he was. However, the various theories provide insights into the close relationship between Jesus and his disciples, and the importance of love and friendship in the Christian faith.