1. THE IDENTITY OF THE REAL BELOVED DISCIPLE
Lazarus
THE IDENTITY OF THE REAL BELOVED DISCIPLE

2. 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, Print.

3. 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 Web. 7 Nov

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

5. 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, Print.

6. 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 Web. 10 Nov

7. 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 Web. 10 Nov

8. 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 Web. 10 Nov

9. 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, Print.

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

11. 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 Web. 10 Nov

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

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

14. 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, Print.