The beloved disciple and his book then peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom jesus loved following, who also had leaned on his breast at the supper, and said, lord, who is the one who betrays. The shadowy figure known as the disciple whom jesus loved appears in five scenes in the gospel of john john. Augustine of hippo 354 430 ad also believed that john was the beloved disciple, in his tractates on the gospel of john. He lives with the brothers of the beloved disciple bbd to serve as their superior. One of the disciples, the one whom jesus loved, was at jesus side ceb, emphasis mine. Her books include praying gods word, believing god, breaking free, when godly people do ungodly things, a heart like his.
Johns gospel says that the beloved disciple was an eyewitness to the mission of jesus, so the most direct evidence that the beloved disciple was not this gospels author would be that the fourth gospel could not have been written by an eyewitness, or even based on the testimony of an eyewitness. Peter, however, is the first to go inside and doesnt understand. This bible study shows his book was mislabeled the gospel of john. From his humble beginnings as a fisherman, to his calling as a disciple and the tradition of his eventual exile on patmos, moore dredges deep for biblical exposition perhaps too deep. John and his brother james, another disciple of jesus, were fishermen on the sea of galilee when jesus called them to follow him. This disciple holds a prominent role even to the point that peter asks about the beloved disciple. Her books include praying gods word, believing god, breaking free, when godly people do ungodly things, a heart like his, the beloved disciple. In his book the passover plot, author hugh schonfield argues that the beloved disciple was an otherwise unknown priest who lived in jerusalem. Dec 20, 2015 see his book james the brother of jesus, p. Presumably, he was interested in obscuring his identity for some reason. A work in two editions makes heavy demands even on the theologically trained reader. There is no evidence john ever claimed to be the author of the fourth gospel, so the fact it came to bear his name was not his.
After suffering all the torments of actual martyrdom, john emerged from the cauldron unharmed. But although the gospel never says so in so many words, tradition has always identified the beloved disciple with john, and there is no real need to doubt the identification. Perhaps like no other disciple, john understood that relationship. Schonfield says that this priest was a secret disciple of jesus who was also well enough acquainted with top jewish officials to be able to gain admittance to the interrogations of jesus. A dedicated wife and mother of two adult daughters, moore lives in houston, texas, where she is president and founder of living proof ministries. Nevertheless, the beloved disciple is anonymous in the text and must remain so to fulfill the role given him in the story. Herman waetjens book the gospel of the beloved disciple. Author of more than 30 books in the areas of biblical and pastoral theology and spirituality, he received his doctorate in sacred theology at the university of fribourg, switzerland. For a long time i thought that lazarus was the beloved disciple, his appearance in the text seems to match up with the appearance of the beloved disciple and he is stated as being loved by jesus, also bethany is close to jerusalem where the beloved disciple appears to be based. This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things. With these supporters standing near him, jesus focuses on his mother and the beloved disciple vv. The assumption that the beloved disciple was one of the apostles is based on the observation that he was apparently present at the last supper, and matthew and mark state that jesus ate with the twelve.
Some sources also credit him for writing the pseudepigraphal. We are told that it was the disciple whom jesus loved. If the beloved disciple had been present, he undoubtedly would later have recounted that story to his community along with the other stories he told them. Later at the crucifixion, jesus tells his mother, woman, here is your son, and to the beloved disciple he says, here is your mother. Nicodemus who comes to the lord by night seeking meaning in his life, he is the beloved disciple. Therefore, this study will include three parts, covering six topics. This book is part of a 9volume set that includes seven volumes of the sda bible commentary, the sda bible dictionary and a special supplement to the commentary, volume 7a which contains pertinent ellen g. The disciple whom jesus loved is john, the son of zebedee and brother of james. He is believed to be the author of the gospel of john, as well as four other books of the new testament. Simon peter followed jesus, and so did another disciple. Therefore that disciple whom jesus loved said to peter, it is the lord.
Beloved disciple member book living proof ministries. You can doubt the authorship of some books of the bible, but not the gospel of john. The beloved disciple attests to the full humanity and death of jesus. The beloved disciple also defers to peter, allowing him to enter the tomb first, and he is quick to believe. Jesus cares for his mother and the beloved disciple 19. Jesus says to his mother, woman, behold your son, and to the beloved disciple, behold your mother.
Author john tells us early on that it is these three that jesus loves. John the apostle must have thought he had seen everything. Beloved disciple member book, living proof ministries beloved disciple bible study book the life and ministry of john john referred to himself as the disciple whom jesus loved. The massive turnout for his wake and funeral testified to how much he was cherished by the parish. As we learn to receive and applyrhema, we are wise to remember that gods word is written. Brown was the foremost scholar of johannine literatureand possibly all new testament literaturein the 20th century. Beth moore did an excellent job of presenting johns gospel, letters and revelation in a way that helped me to go deeper in my faith, affirm my faith and to know the heart and mind of christ better than ever than before. And one unforgettable morning young john outran peter to his saviors empty tomb.
George is a member of the society of mary, the marianists. John the apostle biography biography facts, childhood. Witness, author, apostle a response to richard bauckhams jesus and the eyewitnesses andreas j. Though not directly stated, we know that john was called the beloved disciple, or the disciple whom jesus loved john 21. Nevertheless, the effort to plow through this book is well worth it. The traditional view that the beloved disciple was the fisherman apostle john, one of the sons of zebedee can be traced back as early as irenaeus c. Jul 11, 2005 naturally he was anxious to be rid of john, and he had him brought in chains from ephesus to rome. Traditionally, john the gospel writer was the disciple whom jesus loved. He wrote in the preface of this 1995 book, in the gospel of john the author refers five times to the disciple whom jesus loved. This disciple is never specifically identified, but the identity of the disciple whom jesus loved in clear. John the apostle must have thought he had seen everythin.
Following john to the heart of jesus moore, beth, burr, sandra on. Above all, thomas asks to see the wound in jesus side, and the beloved disciple was the only. His position at the table during the last supper reflected not only honor but also closeness. The point johns gospel makes is that any reader who wishes to follow jesus can become a beloved disciple by following his lead. But a very real point arisessuppose john himself actually did the writing of the gospel, would he really be likely to speak of himself as the disciple whom jesus loved. If he was the beloved disciple why not omitting his name since then.
John the beloved disciple brothers of the beloved disciple. A better bible study method, book one chapter 3 was john the beloved disciple. Thus john the apostle, the evangelist, and the beloved disciple have traditionally been thought to be the same person. In the gospel of john, the beloved disciple emerges as a close, personal friend of the lord. The two men rush to the empty tomb and the beloved disciple is the first to reach the empty tomb. The love that is mentioned in johns gospel regarding lazarus and the beloved disciple is phileo a deep affection, a love of a dear friend, or a brotherly love. Following john to the heart of jesus 9780805427530 by beth moore.
Was the beloved disciple the author of the fourth gospel. James charlesworths monograph the beloved disciple. When i see discussions about the beloved disciple people say these who are named arent him. The beloved disciple is the one to recognize the risen christ on the morning shore. Beth moore is a writer and teacher of bestselling books and bible studies whose public speaking engagements carry her all over the united states. John mark one of the common problems in dealing with the reconstruction of history is the use of limited information to make things fit. However, upon closer study, there is another follower of jesus that is a stronger candidate that you have likely not considered.
The life, loves, and hates of an individual church in new testaments times. His story with jesus even concludes the gospel assuming that chapter 20 originally ended the book and parallels the resurrection story of the apostles. These new testament books present john as both a teacher and a model for us in our own discipleship. The testimony of scripture regarding john there is no evidence john ever claimed to be the author of the fourth gospel, so the fact it came to bear his name was not his fault. This beloved disciple bd for short throughout shows up several more times in the latter chapters of the gospel. Beth moore describes the amazing life of john with great detail about where he came from, how he lived, and most importantly his relationship with our savior. Perhaps a historical individual actually stood behind the figure of the beloved disciple. Having been with jesus all the years of his ministry, john witnessed more miracles than he could count, saw more displays of power than he could comprehend, and experienced more love than he could fathom. The identity of the beloved disciple or the one john calls disciple whom jesus loved is unnamed and has remained a mystery. Similar language was used in connection with betrothal tobit 7. Weve been reading about jesus and what he did and said for more than two thirds of the book in our hands.
He is also known as john the evangelist, the beloved disciple, john of patmos, john the elder and john the presbyter. Cant wait for you to divulge who the loved disciple might have been bart. Lazarus, not john, was the disciple whom jesus loved. So when simon peter heard that it was the lord, he put his outer garment on for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. Having been with jesus all the years of his ministry, john witnessed more miracles than he could count. We get the vast majority of our information about john from the pages of the four gospels. It is also possible that the beloved disciple is mentioned in john 18.
Scholars have questioned whether this is so see fr. Its been a while since i read it but it was an interesting take. There, before the latin gate, john was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. The samaritan woman at the well, the woman taken in adulteryforgiven, healed and renewed by jesus, these too are the beloved disciple. The phrase the disciple whom jesus loved appears 5 times in the fourth gospel. Seeing jesus through the eyes of the beloved disciple was breathtaking. The disciple whom jesus loved is a free ebook that shows scripture is better than the traditions of men when it comes to identifying the one who wrote the fourth gospel, and the oneofakind gift from god that made this beloved disciple so unique. However, a clear reading of the fourth gospel denotes that the one named the beloved disciple, or the disciple whom jesus loved, is also the author of the book. Victim of bonemarrow cancer, he offered his four years of suffering for the parish. Tradition has identified the beloved disciple with john the apostle, the brother of james, one of the original twelve who were called by jesus early in his ministry. The life and ministry of john by beth moore provides a personal study experience five days a week plus viewer guides for the group video sessions of this indepth womens bible study. The beloved disciple and his book 20 then peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom jesus loved following, who also had leaned on his breast at the supper. The bridegrooms love is unmatched and inexhaustible, and he is waiting to lavish it on you, his beloved.
As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along. Gospel of john or the beloved disciple who authored the. The beloved disciple following john to the heart of jesus book. The beloved disciple is not one person but an image of all disciples. However, this does not mean he escaped all persecution. Lazarus name is said again when they were taking a meal in his house. Reinhartz brings both the text and the beloved disciple vividly to life often in ways which christian readers will find uncomfortable, and the book will prove essential reading for anyone desiring to deepen his or her relationship with both the beloved disciple and his gospel. The community of the beloved disciple by raymond e. Some of the words he uses are not even in my american heritage dictionary. In all the gospel written by john, he does not once mention his own namebut the book shines from beginning to end with the splendor of the person of christ. The beloved disciple and his book then peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom jesus loved following, who also had leaned on his breast at the. Whose witness validates the gospel of john is huge and includes exegetical engagement with all the passages about the beloved disciple, a list of scholarly suggestions about the identity of the character, and an analysis of christian traditions and literature attributed to thomas.
We pray that he continue his intercession now for the parish, the brothers of the beloved disciple, our benefactors and friends. One very common interpretation of the gospel of john is that the beloved disciple was the author of the book. Just as christ took john on a lifelong journey into the depths of his love, he will do the same for you. Brothers and sisters, first, i want to recognize the hard work done by the parish staff to keep you informed, spiritually enriched, and connected as we attempt to negotiate these difficult days together. When he and peter race to the tomb after jesus resurrection, he wins. If johnz is the beloved disciple, then clearly the beloved disciple was present at jesus transfiguration. This can often lead to forced conclusions which, although theoretically plausible, require a straining of the available evidence.
Brown was the foremost scholar of johannine literature and possibly all new testament literaturein the 20th century. Po box 885, lockport, il 60441 who was that beloved disciple. His thorough knowledge of the bible allows him to make a persuasive case that the beloved disciple in the gospel according to john a. The mentioning of the disciple whom jesus loved is used only after the raising of lazarus in the book of john. The easter story from the disciple whom jesus loved. A note from beth moore every disciple and early follower of christ left a legacy for future believers. The apostle thomas as the beloved disciple the jesus memoirs. The beloved disciple book san mateo county libraries. In the book of john, the apostle john writes many times about the disciple whom jesus loved. Mar 28, 2011 then in john he was with the beloved disciple. The fact that he is described as the disciple whom jesus loved probably means he is not the author of the gospel, since that would be an unusual selfdesignation.
The only way we will ever really know the word, both the person and the print, is to know his words. Reading further in the book of acts, we can only be amazed at the powerful. The life and ministry of john leader kit by beth moore helps a leader facilitate this womens bible study experience and contains all that is needed to conduct the 10 weeks of small group time. An inspiration into the life and legacy of john the beloved. Lazarus, not john, was the disciple whom jesus loved alan. This book consists of two separate studiesthe first dealing more with the beloved disciples identity and personal history, second more with his theology. The passage also reveals that the beloved disciple and peter were together, and it appears that the beloved disciple is fleeter of foot than peter which some have suggested may mean he is younger, though peter was not old at this time. But god still had work for his beloved disciple to do. Aug 02, 2016 it is only the book of john that has the beloved disciple and it is only the book of john that has the story of lazarus, brother of martha and mary. We know that john was the younger brother of james and the son of zebedee mark 10. Mar 26, 2008 brown on the community of the beloved disciple march 26, 2008 at 3.
Saint irenaeus toward the end of the second century says that the beloved disciple was the one. I took up the community of the beloved disciple for a graduatelevel new testament course, and though it should be accessible to any serious student of the bible, the highly academic presentation could prove to be somewhat dry. Near the end of his life, he was exiled to the isle of patmos for his witness to the truth of the gospel rev. The disciple whom jesus loved who was that beloved disciple. His book posits lazarus as the beloved disciple as well and identifies him as the head of a jerusalem based group of disciples with mary magdalenelazarus sister mary iirc.
A better bible study method, book one chapter 3 the beloved disciple. Each of the two studies came into being in a rather funny way as with most of my stuff and quite independent of the other. The apostle john had the distinction of being a beloved friend of jesus christ, writer of five books of the new testament, and a pillar in the early christian church. Along with martha, lazarus, and mary, john is described explicitly in this gospel as one whom jesus loved see john 11.