Chapter 2 - "THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED"
        - WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

“The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved”

John 21:20 & 24 disclose that the author of the fourth Gospel was “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. This was how the author referred to himself, along with “the other disciple, whom Jesus loved”, “the other disciple”, etc. His use of these anonymous terms should prompt us to ask questions – such as, “Other” than what? So, let’s not accept the claim that this was John, simply because someone else says that this is true. Instead of just assuming that others already have the answer, let’s carefully examine the scriptural record that God has provided.

The phrase “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is notable for several reasons, but primarily because it means that his relationship with Jesus was unique. He’s set apart from the rest of the disciples of Jesus as “THE disciple” (singular) that has the distinction of being identified as the one “whom Jesus loved”.

How would you react if you met a man with five siblings who repeatedly referred to himself as “the child my mother loved”? This phrase suggests an exclusive relationship and, if it is true, it indicates the standing of this sibling over the others relative to their mother’s love. Doesn’t it seem somewhat odd that this biblical author would single himself out as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? This is easily the most prominent and descriptive term that this author used to refer to himself, yet few seem to ask why. This ‘label’ clearly distinguishes this individual based solely on the unique regard that Jesus had for him. Shouldn’t we wonder why God’s Word took the time to highlight Jesus’ relationship with this author?

The designation “the disciple whom Jesus loved” differentiates this disciple on the basis of Jesus’ relationship to him. This is not the same as his love for Jesus. The use of this term means that Jesus’ love for this disciple is a distinguishing factor – or else the phrase itself makes no sense.

Since the Bible emphasizes this relationship, it is logical for us to look for evidence of such a relationship in Jesus’ life. This is precisely what we will do. Let us begin by delving into every passage that mentions this unnamed disciple so that we can get to know him a little better.

The “Other Disciple”

John 13:23 is the first time we find the author is differentiated from the other disciples as the one “whom Jesus loved” and we also see that he was leaning on Jesus’ bosom. John 18:15 tells us that Peter and “another disciple” show up when Jesus is being put on trial later that night and the next verse, John 18:16, refers to him as “that other disciple”. [The literal Greek says: “the other disciple” (Jn. 18:15) and “the disciple other” (Jn.18:16).]

John 19:26 says that while Jesus was on the cross, he “saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved”. John 19:27 calls this individual “the disciple” and “that disciple”. John 20:2 tells us about resurrection morning and calls this person, “the other disciple, whom Jesus loved”. Then, in John 20:3 & 4, he is called “that other disciple” and “the other disciple”, while John 20:8 calls him “that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre”.

The last mention of this disciple occurs in the last chapter of his Gospel, when seven disciples go fishing. John 21:7 tells us, “that disciple whom Jesus loved” was the first to recognize Jesus. John 21:20 again calls him “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and confirms that he was the one “which also leaned on his breast at supper and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?” In John 21:21-23 “him”, “this man”, “he” and “that disciple” are also used to refer to this individual.

Finally John 21:24 says, “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things”. The context makes it clear that the author is “that disciple” of John 21:23, who is further identified as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, in John 21:20.

As the preceding references demonstrate, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” was the most revealing way that this author referred to himself. If the Bible refers to someone as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, isn’t it rational to think that this person would have played an important part in Jesus’ life? Yes. Given the uniqueness of this designation, we ought to expect that this “other disciple” would have had a perceptible role in the life of Jesus. Moreover, he absolutely must have interacted with Jesus at some point prior to the ‘Last Supper’.

Admittedly the foregoing passages do show that this author was present at notable moments of Jesus’ ministry: his last Passover, the crucifixion and the vacant tomb on resurrection morning. But read each one of these passages and then carefully consider them together. What is missing?

A Look At The Scriptures

John 13:21-28 (with Jesus at his last Passover)
John 18:12-18 (with Jesus at his trial)
John 19:25-27 (with Jesus at his cross)
John 20:1-10 (first “disciple” to Jesus’ tomb - v.4, first to “believe” - v.8)
John 21:2-24 (first to identify Jesus at Galilee - v.7, author of this Gospel - v.24)

[For your convenience, each of these passages is reprinted here with bold typeface highlighting all of the references to “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.]

John 13:21-28: “When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.”

John 18:12-18: “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.”

John 19:25-27: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

John 20:1-10: “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.”

John 21:2-24: “There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.”

A Latecomer?

The most unusual thing about this individual is that he seems to unexpectedly pop up from out of nowhere. It should arrest our attention when we first find out that there is no mention of anyone called “the disciple whom Jesus loved” prior to chapter 13 of the Gospel of attributed to John. This person’s history with Jesus is missing! Why?

The very first time that we read about this one unnamed disciple “whom Jesus loved” is at Jesus’ last Passover. (Notice that while the rest of the disciples are wondering if they will be the one to betray Jesus, it falls to the one “whom Jesus loved” to ask Jesus who the betrayer is.) However, before this episode, there is not a single reference to the “other disciple” or “the disciple whom Jesus loved” in this Gospel. What can account for this?

It does not make sense that some person just suddenly appeared on the scene in the last days of Jesus’ life and instantly became “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.

This person is someone who had a special relationship with Jesus and this degree of friendship is not something that can materialize out of thin air. So why is there no mention of this “other disciple” apart from the last days of Jesus’ time here on earth? The questions get even more curious.

The terms “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, “other disciple”, etc. appear in only five passages – Jn. 13:21-28, 18:12-18, 19:25-27, 20:1-10 & 21:2-24. WHY? Surely someone who was close enough to Jesus to be called “the disciple whom Jesus loved” had to have been interacting with Jesus before that last Passover. Still, there is no earlier indication of this “disciple whom Jesus loved” in the Gospel that is attributed to John. So where should we look?

Erased From The Bible?

The bad news is that no other books of the Bible contain any reference to any person called “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. You will not find this phrase outside of this author’s own Gospel. As a matter of fact, the other Gospel writers avoided mentioning the presence of this “other disciple” even when we know for certain that he was present!

Luke 24:12 and John 20:3-10 clearly confirm this. In Luke 24:12 Peter seems to be alone when he went to Jesus’ tomb on resurrection morning. Yet in John 20 we have a description of the same event that shows the “other disciple” was there when Peter visited the vacant tomb of Jesus. You will see this same sort of omission if you compare scriptures for the night of Jesus’ arrest and trial.

In John 18:15-16 we can see that both Peter and the “other disciple” followed Jesus that night. But there is no mention of this “other disciple” in either Matthew 26:58, Mark 14:54 or Luke 22:54-55 (all of which only tell of Peter’s following of Jesus on that night). So why would the other Gospels ignore the presence of the “other disciple”?

Why would “the disciple whom Jesus loved” get no visible mention outside of his own Gospel? He was very close to Jesus and played a role during several of the weightiest moments of Jesus’ life. He was the author of one of the four Gospels. Yet if it weren’t for his own Gospel, then we would have no way to learn of Jesus’ unique relationship with him (or to discover that he even existed)! Does this seem strange to you? It should.

The fact that the other Gospels never refer to “the disciple whom Jesus loved” or the “other disciple” is significant. You’ll soon see that this “other disciple” was set apart from the rest of the disciples in a very special way by the actions of Jesus – a key piece of evidence that will help us identify him.

A Few More Questions Before The Answers

This unidentified disciple didn’t just suddenly pop up on the day before Jesus was killed. So then, why does it appear this way in scripture? Why did “the disciple whom Jesus loved” write his Gospel in such a way that he seems to come from out of nowhere? The scriptures suggest a reason for this, which will also help to prove the author’s identity.

What can we learn from the fact that the first reference to this unnamed disciple appears in John, chapter 13? Why does he appear so late in the Gospel narrative? John 13 gives us information about Jesus’ last Passover, but it does not explain either the timing of or the reason for the sudden appearance of “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.

However, there is a very significant incident recorded in the Bible that does suggest a rational basis for answering each of these questions – and it occurred just prior to that same Passover! We’ll put the spotlight on this episode a little bit later. First, though, let’s take a closer look at the Apostle John.

Chapter 3 - WAS JOHN THE UNNAMED "OTHER DISCIPLE" WHO WROTE THE FOURTH GOSPEL?