The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
At a Bible study at church last week on John Chapter 13 I asked the group who they thought Jesus was being talked about as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. They almost all answered John, which has been the historical church’s answer to the question. I brought up the idea that it might actually be Lazarus. I encouraged everyone to take some time to look at the verses and give it some thought. I also assured them that I don’t think it makes a significant difference who it was, it is just interesting to consider. Here are the verses:
John 11:5 (New International Version)
5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
John 11:36 (New International Version)
36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
John 12:2 (New International Version)
2Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
John 13:23 (New International Version)
23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
John 19:26 (New International Version)
26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,”
John 20:2 (New International Version)
2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
John 21:20-23 (New International Version)
20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
Do you see how the verses suggest that it might very well be Lazarus? I think it helps to explain John 21:23. Since Lazarus had already been raised from the dead, does he die again? Of course, it could be John. Just check it out by reading the above verses in their context and see what you think.
Related posts:
- So What is a Jesus Moment
- Jesus is the Bridegroom
- Time for A Jesus Moment
- Bible Reading Isaiah 46 – 48
- Bible Reading Isaiah 25 – 27
Category: A Jesus Moment Ramblings
Comments (0)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
There are no comments yet. Why not be the first to speak your mind.