It was Luke, not “The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved” who “uses the example of the Bereans” (Acts 17:10-12). And where does this chap get off dictating what is and is not allowed as rules of evidence in the courtroom, as though he were the Judge! It is the Son of God who says what is allowed in His court of inquiry as His people separate fact from fiction, not some self-appointed one.

There are some serious (as in fatal) problems with the idea Lazarus was “the beloved disciple”.

Hengstenberg, Hendriksen, Morris, and Carson all give good defenses of the apostle John’s authorship of the Gospel, and his self-designation as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, even if they differ a little on a point here and there.

In John 21:24, the Evangelist says of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (verse 20) – and concerning whom Peter inquires of the Lord, “What shall this man do?” (v. 21) – that it is himself, that is, the writer of the Gospel. This identification – and Johannine authorship of v. 24 – is denied by some good exegetes (for instance, Wm. Hendriksen and Leon Morris), but is ably defended by others: E.W. Hengstenberg and D.A. Carson, who make excellent cases for the author of the Gospel writing this verse, and not other men. Proceeding then on this established point (see their commentaries) – that the Evangelist has said he himself is that beloved disciple, let us look at who this disciple is.

Verse 20 says that it is none other than he “which leaned on his [Jesus’] breast at supper,” so we know that he had to be one of the Twelve. The Synoptics say that only the Twelve ate the “last supper” with Him: Luke 22:13 ,14: “…they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.” Mark 14:16-18: “…they made ready the passover. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat down and did eat…” Matthew 26:20, 21: “Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat…”

We know from John 13:23 that, as it is recalled in John 21:20, the disciple whom Jesus loved leaned on Jesus’ bosom or breast (meaning, in the language of the time, he was right in front of Jesus as they all reclined at table, and actually did lean back on Jesus when he asked Him who it was that should betray Him). So the writer of the Gospel is the beloved disciple – and apostle. Now it could not have been Lazarus as Lazarus was not an apostle. He was not invited – he was not there!

Please see Leon Morris’ process whereby he eliminates all the other apostles from the authorship and leaves only John the son of Zebedee, in his NICNT commentary on John (pp. 6, 7), in the section on authorship. Likewise see D.A. Carson’s work in the PNCT series of commentaries, as well as Hengstenberg’s classic reprinted by Klock & Klock.

On p. 7 Morris remarks on “the curious fact that John is not mentioned by name anywhere in this Gospel. It is not easy to think of a reason why any early Christian, other than John himself, should have completely omitted all mention of such a prominent apostle.”

I looked over the paper Witherington wrote (linked to in an earlier post), and he represents a school I have little liking for. He puts an unfair spin on the writing of Papias, and doesn’t even mention the testimony of Polycarp via Irenaeus of the authorship of John Zebedee!

It’s a shame we have to spend time refuting every novel fancy that arises in the wicked minds of men as they seek to twist the Scriptures, but the day will come when we shall have our fellowship in the City of God, where no natural light is needed, “for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof”, and we shall walk by “the pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb”, and rejoice on the banks of that river where is the tree of life; and there shall be no more curse, and our tears shall be wiped away, death and suffering utterly abolished, in a kingdom of joy, peace, and unspeakable glory, into which “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (from Rev 21 & 22) Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

__________________
Steve Rafalsky
Elder, International Evangelical Church (Reformed)
Limassol, Cyprus

"I am set for the defense of the gospel" (Philippians 1:17)

"Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious
power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness..." (Colossians 1:11)