Who wrote the Gospel of John?

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   lifegateposted 9 years ago

   Who wrote the Gospel of John?
   
   We are to be like the Bereans and search the Scriptures. Can anyone give me scriptural proof that the Apostle John wrote the Gospel that bares his name. Forget outside sources. Forget tradition, and what you may have been taught. I'm looking for proof from within the Scriptures themselves. Thanks in advance.

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   lambservantposted 9 years ago

   That will take a lot of research. You may not get a quick answer from people. Any particular reason you're looking into this? I think it's based on tradition and other 1st and 2nd century sources because there may not be a direct, clear answer proving it was john.

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      lifegateposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I  tend to agree with you. Actually, there is a reason I'm asking. I've always been taught that the Apostle John wrote the book, but no one offers proof..If John didn't write the book, it changes much of the Gospels. Thanks for responding, Lori.

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      lambservantposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Not every Bible author is known. This one is named after John. I have to trust that the HS directed the men who decided the authorship of the books of the Bible. To get some wrong and some right would mean the Scriptures cannot be trusted.

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3. 82

   parrsterposted 9 years ago

   Although far from definitive, The passage below refers to 'the beloved disciple' as (possible) author. John is traditionally believed to be this disciple, though not explicitly mentioned as such (Jn 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20). However argument has been made that it could have been Lazarus. (Jn 11:3,5,11,36)
   
   John 21:20-24 (note especially last verse)
   
   Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers[a] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
   
   This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

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      lifegateposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Parrster. The problem I'm having is that tradition seems to play a big part. We can agree that the disciple whom Jesus loved wrote  the book, but just who was that disciple. i think you have some good thoughts, and they mirror mine.

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      parrsterposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Glad I could contribute. Yes, tradition does come heavily into authorship. However, to quote Mark Roberts, author of  Can We Trust The Gospels,
      "...it doesn't really matter whether the Beloved Disciple was John, Lazurus, or some other disciple of Je

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   PlanksandNailsposted 9 years ago

   Based on Scripture interpreting Scripture the fourth Gospel tells us who it is.
   
   Peter turned and saw THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”  - John 21:20
   
   THIS IS THE DISCIPLE who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. - John 21:24
   
   Who was the disciple that Jesus loved bearing witness?
   
   It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother LAZARUS was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “LORD, HE WHOM YOU LOVE IS ILL."
   
   There it is, Lazarus whom Jesus loved, proof just from the Gospel itself; Scripture interpreting Scripture.
   
   Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. - 2 Peter 1:20

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      tsadjatkoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Proof? You are joking, right?

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      lifegateposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks PandN. I think there's even more evidence than just that statement in the Gospel itself. it amazes me how so many people just believe what's been told them, myself included. This is a revelation I just saw for myself so I'm still exploring it.

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      tsadjatkoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "evidence" is not exactly proof. You can only have proof by a preponderance of the evidence and any words on a page are not proof of who wrote them.

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   tsadjatkoposted 9 years ago

   
   
   You have asked a question for which there is no definitive answer. As I'm sure you are aware (but for those who are not) only one of the 4 gospels, the Gospel of John claims to be an eyewitness account, the testimony of the unnamed “disciple whom Jesus loved.” (“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true” [John 21:24]). Who wrote the Gospel of John is an unanswered question, though noted theologians throughout the ages maintain that it was the disciple John and I find that hard to dispute without evidence to the contrary.
   However, this question reminds me of a curiosity I have never understood. Like the recent movie "Heaven is Real" there are many examples of NDEs or similar episodes where people have visited heaven and actually met and spoke to Jesus and he to them. Dr. Eby, a credible subject, tells the story in his book about his death, visit to heaven and miraculous return (I think he was dead for 18 hours).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUY1nUxOV7Q Often theses subjects return and relate their conversations with Jesus yet the unanswered questions like who wrote the Gospel of John, are there remnants of Noah's Ark, what "fish" swallowed Jonah, how old is the earth, are the 7 days of creation literal days (I believe they are), what happened to the dinosaurs? etc. never seem to be asked of Jesus. I suppose maybe in some instances they were but for some reason the subjects don't or aren't allowed to remember it when they return but I assure you if I had an NDE and could fellowship with Jesus in the flesh I would be asking these questions and more, not because I question the Bible but I just want to know the answers I can't find in the Bible.

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   1. 79

      lifegateposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your input, tsadjatko .

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