THE IDENTITY OF THE REAL BELOVED DISCIPLE Lazarus THE IDENTITY OF THE REAL BELOVED DISCIPLE

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Author is the “disciple whom Jesus loved” The New International Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1988. Print.

Beloved Disciple (BD) Who is it? Apostle John? Many scholars believe so “Gospel of John Commentary: Who Wrote the Gospel of John and How Historical Is It?” Bible History Daily. Biblical Archaeology Society, 1 July 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2015.

Lazarus Thesis: Lazarus is BD, author of Gospel of John Internal evidence Why John isn’t author

The Story of Lazarus John 11- Lazarus gets sick and dies Placed in a tomb for 4 days in Bethany Jesus travels to Bethany Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead The New International Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1988. Print.

Hidden Clues “Lord, the one you love is sick.” –John 11:3 “Then the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’” –John 11:36 No mention of Jesus loving someone other than Lazarus “Disciple whom Jesus loved” first mentioned in John 13 Witherington, Ben. “Was Lazarus the Beloved Disciple?” Blog. N.p. 29 January 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

More Evidence BD knew Jerusalem well BD allowed in High Priest’s house Twelve disciples were from Galilee Lazarus from Judea BD allowed in High Priest’s house Witherington, Ben. “Was Lazarus the Beloved Disciple?” Blog. N.p. 29 January 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Fearless BD by Jesus on the cross –John 19:26 Risked death, while others scattered Why be there? If he died before, he wouldn’t be afraid Witherington, Ben. “Was Lazarus the Beloved Disciple?” Blog. N.p. 29 January 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Peter’s Question (John 21:21) Will BD live until Jesus returns? Why would Peter ask that? If it’s Lazarus, it makes sense Maybe he won’t die again The New International Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1988. Print.

Argument for John Apostle John credited by Irenaeus Several scholars believe so Moloney, Francis J. “The Gospel of John: A Commentary.” Biblica. 94.3 (2013): 465-468. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials. Web. 7 Nov. 2015.

Refutation of John son of Zebedee Gnostics pressured Irenaeus for apostolic authorship Misinterpretation of “John” John the elder finished Fourth Gospel “According to John” tagged by Papias Irenaeus gives wrong John Witherington, Ben. “Was Lazarus the Beloved Disciple?” Blog. N.p. 29 January 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

What the Johannine Authorship Actually Is Lazarus-Beloved Disciple Elder John John of Patmos (elder John?) John 2 John Revelation 1 John 3 John

Witherington, Ben III. Invitation to the New Testament Witherington, Ben III. Invitation to the New Testament. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print.

Conclusion Lazarus is the Beloved Disciple Shown through internal evidence in the Gospel Proving John son of Zebedee isn’t author John 14:6 The New International Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1988. Print.