9 Reasons why the Gospel of JOHN May Have Been Written by LAZARUS

The fourth gospel, which is referred to as The Gospel According to John was written from the eye-witness testimony of an unnamed disciple who is referred to as The Disciple whom Jesus loved, or The Other Disciple.

Though no name is actually given, the common assumption is that it was written by John the apostle because of the similarities in language with the letters of John. 

John 21:20, 24 (WEB)

20 Then 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?” 

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

From verse 24 we can see that there are two people involved in the book compilation of the gospel of John. There is the Disciple whom Jesus loved, who testified and wrote down his testimony, then we have the person who is saying, “We know that his testimony is true.” 

Careful analysis of the text itself reveals that the gospel was most likely written by Lazarus, who is the Disciple whom Jesus loved, and then compiled and given to the church by John the apostle. And it is John who is authenticating the testimony of Lazarus and saying, we know that his testimony is true.

Here are seven reasons why I believe this is so.

1. In the book of John, there is only one person named as being Loved by Jesus. That’s Lazarus. And he is so named three times.

When Lazarus is sick, the sisters send a message to Jesus to tell him of his sickness, and this is what the message says.

John 11:3 (NIV) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

This is very interesting. The message comes and says. The one you love is sick. That’s it. This message makes sense if there was one specific person, that had a reputation of being loved by Jesus. Otherwise that message would have been pointless.

The author then writes this:

John 11:5 (KJV)  Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

When Jesus arrived at Lazarus grave, the Jews then testify that Lazarus was greatly loved by Jesus.

John 11:36 (NIV)36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established. Lazarus is the only man in the book of John singled out as being loved by Jesus.

2. The disciple whom Jesus Loved is introduced after Lazarus.

We saw how when Lazarus is introduced, he is introduced as the one, whom Jesus loved. We are told his name Lazarus. Jesus then goes and raises him from the dead, and a great feast is held. The last time Lazarus is mentioned, is in Chapter 12 when he is reclining with Jesus at the super in Bethany.

John 12:2 (NIV)2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

The term, Disciple whom Jesus loved is then introduced for the first time, soon after this, in Chapter 13. And he is introduced as reclining with jesus.

John 13:23 (NIV)23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him

The term disciple was used to refer to any and all the people who believed in and followed Jesus. It doesn’t just refer to the 12 apostles. Since Chapter 12, has already introduced Lazarus as the one whom Jesus loved, it makes sense that he is the same one being referred to in Chapter 13 and the chapters that follow.

3. John not among the Other Disciples.

The Disciple whom Jesus Loved is also referred to as the Other disciple.

John 18:16 (NIV)16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple,who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

John 20:2 (NIV)2 So 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!”

It’s most likely that the term, ‘Other Disciple’ was used to refer to a disciple who was not among the twelve. At Jesus last appearance, The text lists the Apostles and two other Disciples.

John 21:2 (KJV)  There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

The term sons of Zebedee was used to refer to the apostles James and John.

Luke 5:10 (NIV)10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

So we see that James and John are not referred to by the term, OTHER DESCIPLE, which is used to refer to the Disciple whom Jesus loved. 

4. This Disciple Was Known to the High Priest

The disciple  whom Jesus loved was known to the high priest and is the only one who records the relationship between Anna’s and Caiphas, the names of the servant who’s ear was cut and his relationship with the girl who accuses Peter in the court.

John 18:15-16 (NKJV) 

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 

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

John and Peter, on the other hand, were not known to the High Priest  In the book of Acts, that’s the first time. Anna’s and Caiaphas talk to them.

Acts 4:6, 13 (WEB)

6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. 

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.

So the disciple could not have been John.

However, Lazarus lived in Bethany, 2 miles from Jerusalem Where most Levites and Priests lived. Both He and his sisters were names after descendants of Levi; Lazarus is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Eleazar. Eleazar is Aaron’s son and next high Priest after Aaron. Mary is the Greek Transliteration of the Hebrew name Miriam.  Miriam was Aaron’s sister. Lazarus and his sisters were therefore most likely of a priestly family, and this explains why they would know the inner workings of the priests courts.

James, John and Peter on the other hand, were Galileans and it makes sense that the High Priests and court did not know them at all. 

5. The Gospel of John focusses on Judea

The book of John mainly focusses on a few events in and around Judea. It’s said to be an eye witness testimony. Whilst other gospels only record One Visit by Jesus to Jerusalem, the book of Jon records 3 visits over 3 years.

So if it was written by John, it would have contained more of John’s testimonies that we know – like the transfiguration. But there is a huge absence of the mention of John and James and their stories of Jesus. However, Lazarus is presented as the key figure. His resurrection is given as the reason why people gathered for the triumphant entry, and the direct cause of the crucifixion.

John 12:12-18 (NKJV) 

12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!”

17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. 18 For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.

The focus on Jerusalem and Judea, rather than Galilee points more towards a Judean eye-witness than a Galilean. This again makes Lazarus a better candidate.

6. People believed this disciple would not die.

After the resurrection of Christ, Jesus foretells Peter’s death. Peter then asks. What of this man 

John 21:19-23 (WEB)

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

20 Then 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?” 

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

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

23 This 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?”

It makes sense that people would assume Lazarus would not die again, since he had been resurrected already.

7. The twelve apostles all deserted Jesus

According to all the other gospels, we are told that all of Jesus apostles deserted Jesus except for Peter who later denied him.

All three gospels mention only Peter going to the temple. If he was with John another apostle, they would have said so.

But if he was with someone not an Apostle. It makes sense why they would not mention him.

Matthew 26:31-33 (WEB)

31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” 

33 But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.”

8. The Disciple was the first to believe that Jesus had resurrected

When this other Disciple saw the empty tomb and the wrapped cloth, he immediately believed.

John 20:7-9 (WEB)

7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 

8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. 

9 For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 

When Jesus later meets the eleven. He rebukes them all for not believing.

Mark 16:14 (WEB)  Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believethose who had seen him after he had risen.

It therefore makes sense that this Other Disciple was not one of the Twelve. And Lazarus having been raised from the dead after four days himself, it makes sense that he immediately believes after he sees the linen cloths.

The same detail of the cloths is also highlighted during the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

9. John Uses other titles.

In the other writings of John, such as Revelation and the letters, he refers to himself as John or the Elder. He does not attempt to hide his identity. He never calls himself the Disciple whom Jesus loved.

Revelation 1:4 (NKJV)4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Revelation 1:9 (NKJV)9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

2 John 1 (NKJV) 

1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,

Lazarus was living proof of the resurrection power of Christ, and we are told that the Jews were seeking to kill him. It makes sense that he would hide his identity, rather choosing to call himself The Disciple whom Jesus loved, knowing that the church would know who he is.

John 12:10-11 (NKJV)10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

THE END.