The Beloved Disciple

Abstract

The identity of the "Beloved Disciple" in the Gospel according to John remains an unsolved problem and should therefore be investigated again. The different appearances of the "Beloved Disciple" in the Gospel are discussed, inter alia in a social-historical perspective. The role of the "Beloved Disciple" as literary figure could have been taken by any disciple who had faith and read the Gospel as it was intended and thus recognized the truth about Jesus Christ. As children of God such people are however included in the household of this disciple, whom Jesus loved.