There is one major puzzle in the world of Biblical scholarship that involves how the Gospel identifies one disciple in particular.

This occurrence in Scripture has grown into a popular myth known simply as ‘The Beloved Disciple’.

A nameless disciple of Jesus Christ is mentioned six times in the Gospel of John and recognized as the disciple who leaned on Jesus during the legendary last supper.

This individual is also documented as the only male disciple to be present at the crucifixion of Christ in Calvary. It is also inferred that the Gospel of John itself is based on the written testimony of this significant disciple. Nevertheless, what remains mystifying is that the disciple is identified as a ‘disciple’ but never mentioned by name, and furthermore, the disciple is never again spoken of, referred to, or revealed in any of the preceding three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

The Gospel’s unusually muted identification of this disciple who was often in the company of Christ and the Apostles, has added fuel to the fire of this Biblical mystery.

“This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true”. (John 21:24)

Christianity does not provide a name for the mystery disciple but proclaim that the individual is John the son of Zebedee.

Many Biblical scholars cast doubt on this thought but are themselves divided. Speculations range from Lazarus, an unknown priest, and to Mary Magdalene. It appears in the Gospel that after the crucifixion of Christ, the Beloved Disciple takes Mary, mother of Jesus, into his home and from that day Mary dwells in the house of the beloved disciple.