THE GOSPEL OF JOHN SECTION F Chapter Fifteen

What about this claim? 1. In 21:2 the writer says those present by the sea included Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples. Then in 21:7 someone is referred to as the disciple that Jesus especially loved. If this person was one of the sons of Zebedee why is he not named here? Even so tradition has it that John (a son of Zebedee, together with James) is also the gospel writer and the beloved disciple. The Church celebrates the feast of John as both apostle and evangelist (gospel writer). It would appear the main reason for the tradtion is because John, son of Zebedee, had the same name as the name which was believed to be that of the gospel writer. Also, son of Zebedee, together with his brother James and Peter, were invited to key events etc in the life of Jesus for instance the transfiguration. However having the name of John should not be enough for attributing the gospel to John son of Zebedee. People at the time were given a name change e.g. Peter’s name had been changed from Simon to Peter. Somebody else could have been renamed John because the connection between Jesus and this person recalled the connection between King David and Jonathan, son of King Saul, especially as in the Gospel of Mark Jesus is presented as the new King David. Jesus had in fact already given the two sons of Zebedee the nickname of “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17) - hardly an appropriate nickname for the writer of John’s gospel. Over and above this where would John, son of Zebedee, have obtained the sophisticated education about Jewish festivals etc apparent in the writing of this gospel? The Temple etc was destroyed long before the gospel was written. 2. Given that the Epilogue throws up the question of the identity of the beloved disciple, was this Mary Magdalen? It is hard to believe someone from whom seven devils had been driven out (Luke 8:2) could have written one of the greatest works of literature. Would she have had the physical and mental stamina for this? Where would she have obtained the scholarship for it? In any case John 20:2 shows her running up to Peter and the Beloved Disciple to tell them the body of Jesus had gone. 3. On the topic of Mary Magdalen, it has been thought she was the woman who anointed Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. But John 11:2 shows this was Mary the sister of Lazarus. 4. Some have considered Peter was the Beloved disciple. But the epilogue explicitly shows both the beloved disciple and Peter to be present at the same time and Peter is having a conversation with Jesus about the other. 5. Was there something in the background of the beloved disciple that prompted Peter to ask what would become of him and this also prompted a rumour he would never die?

If one goes back over the gospels, snippets of evidence, about the identity of the beloved disciple turn up. 1. The parents of Jesus made annual visits to Jerusalem. (Luke 2:41) Did they stay at the same place and could Jesus have formed a lifelong friendship with someone there? 2. Who grew up near Jerusalem with access to the academia of the Temple? 3. Was Jesus staying there at the start of his ministry (John 1:39)? 4. Did Jesus continue to use this place as a base (John 12:1)? 5. Do we see a family providing familiar hospitality to Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)? 6. The beloved disciple was sitting beside Jesus at the Last Supper. But did he need to be one of the twelve to be in this position(John 13:23)? 7. Who was the disciple so well-known to the High Priest he could bring Peter into the High Priest’s inner court (John 18:15-16)? 8. Peter and “a disciple” followed Jesus into the High Priest’s court. Was this the same beloved disciple who with Peter ran to the tomb of Jesus (John20:4)? 9. Did the beloved disciple have enough social status to stand beneath the cross of Jesus while other disciples fled in fear (John 19:25)? 10. The twelve apostles were called to preach the gospel. Could any of these have immediately provided a home for the mother of Jesus? (John 19:25-27)? 11.Who was the person over whom Jesus wept and about whom people remarked “See how he loved him”? 12. Would there be an inner logic to Jesus performing his greatest sign for the disciple whom he especially loved? 13. If this person was connected and in fact related to the High Priesthood, primarily responsible for the death of Jesus, and other family members were somewhat dubious, could later church tradition be inclined to downplay his identity and role?