John 4 - The Beloved Disciple

Bible Reading

John 13:21-25

21When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

22The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.

23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”

25He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

John 18:15-16

15Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;

16but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter.

John 19:25- 27

25But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.

John 21:18-25

18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

19Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

20Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”

21Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

22Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”

23This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

24This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.

25There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

The Unnamed Disciple

In John 13:23, we are introduced to a disciple who becomes a major figure in the second half of the Gospel of John. In fact, the anonymous Gospel of John concludes by saying this unnamed disciple is the one who "is testifying to these things and wrote these things" (John 21:24). I've been calling him "John" so far in this book, but the Gospel notably referred to him by the descriptions "the beloved disciple" or "the disciple whom Jesus loved" or even just "the other disciple" (John 13:23; 18:15-16; 20:2-4). There seems to be a particularly special relationship between him and Jesus. He is held up as the prime example of discipleship and what it means to be a follower. Perhaps it is a display of his humility that he leaves his name unmentioned.

To me, it's always a little funny when a biblical author intentionally leaves something ambiguously unresolved, but scholars come along years later refusing to accept the ambiguity. If we were supposed to know who this "beloved disciple" was, we would know. He could easily tell us but, apparently, doesn't want to.

The Beloved Disciple and Peter

One fascinating fact about the beloved disciple is almost every time he is mentioned, he is connected or, you might even say, compared with Peter, and he always seems to be a step ahead of him (both figuratively and literally).

When he is first introduced, Jesus and the disciples are reclining at a table (not sitting in chairs but lying next to each other around a short table, as was their custom), and Peter wants to know who is going to betray Jesus. Rather than asking Jesus, he asks the beloved disciple, who then asks Jesus. The beloved disciple occupies the space between Peter and Jesus (John 13:23-25). He's physically closer to Jesus and intercedes between Peter and Jesus. That may not be insignificant.

The beloved disciple and Peter both follow Jesus to the court of the high priest after His arrest, but it is the beloved disciple who gets Peter through the gate (John 18:15-16). Peter cannot get there on his own. While inside, it is Peter who denies Jesus three times, but the beloved disciple follows Him all the way to the cross. Again, the beloved disciple is literally closer to Jesus.

It is the beloved disciple, while Jesus is on the cross, who becomes the caretaker of Mary, while Peter is nowhere to be found (John 19:25- 27). The beloved disciple becomes part of Jesus' family while Peter denies even knowing Him.

Upon hearing the word of the resurrection, it is the beloved disciple and Peter who sprint to the tomb and, keeping with the competition motif, "the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first" (John 20:4). What a funny detail unless it has some spiritual meaning. The beloved disciple is always ahead of Peter in following Jesus.

While at the empty tomb standing together, it is the "other disciple" who "saw and believed" (John 20:8).

After the resurrection, while fishing, the disciples do not recognize the man standing on the shore, but it is "that disciple whom Jesus loved" who says to Peter, "It is the Lord" (John 21:4-7). The beloved disciple is the first to recognize Jesus, and he points Peter to Jesus.

Finally, while Peter is walking with the resurrected Jesus, he is challenged to follow. Follow even to the point of death, even death by crucifixion. Jesus says, "You follow Me!" (John 21:18-19). Peter responds with trepidation by looking around for the beloved disciple, the one who reclined on Jesus' bosom at the supper and who is already "following" (John 21:20). Peter asks, "What about this man?" (John 21:21). There is a sense Peter has noticed this competition also. He compares himself to the beloved disciple. Jesus tells Peter not to worry about that man; if he's around until the second coming, that has nothing to do with you. Peter needs to focus on Peter, or more accurately, Peter needs to focus on Jesus. "You follow Me!" (John 21:22).

We don't know for certain exactly who this beloved disciple is, but he is a follower of Jesus. He is a true disciple. He's an eyewitness, and his writings have impacted the church in immeasurable ways. He excelled in every instance where Peter failed but note that Peter is not told to follow the beloved disciple, nor is he told to stop following Jesus. Don't compare yourself to the disciple next to you, just follow Jesus. That's your call. That's your mission.

As wonderful as the beloved disciple appears to be, as faithful as the youth minister, preacher, elder, or scholar may appear to be, you follow Jesus. Make sure, more than anything or anyone else, that your loyalty, allegiance, and discipleship are rooted in Christ. That's what He is looking for.