The Evangelist is both the “beloved” disciple and the “other” disciple

The Evangelist is known to the high priest

John is said to have worn the Petalon
The Evangelist’s name is John: The Evangelist’s task is to bring people to belief in Jesus, the
light.
Is Nicodemus a proxy for his own story?

Bauckham: In essence Hengel's solution to 'the Johannine question' is that John the Elder, to
whom Papias refers in the famous fragment of his prologue (ap. Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 3. 39.
4), was both the beloved disciple and the author of the Fourth Gospel (as well as 3 of the
Johannine letters)

Bauckham, “Papias and Polycrates”: we shall proceed on the basis of the view that the Gospel
portrays the beloved disciple, not as one of the twelve, but as a Jerusalem disciple of Jesus.

21:24 designates the beloved disciple the author of the Gospel

Letter from Polycrates to Pope Victor:

“As for us, then, we keep the day without tampering with it, neither adding, nor subtracting.
For indeed in Asia great luminaries have fallen asleep, such as shall rise again on the day of
the Lord’s appearing, when he comes with glory from heaven to seek out all his saints: to wit,
Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who has fallen asleep in Hierapolis, [as have] also his two
daughters who grew old in virginity, and his other daughter who lived in the Holy Spirit and
rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, [there is] John also, he who leaned back on the Lord’s
breast, who was a priest, wearing the high-priestly frontlet (to petalon),3 both witness
(martys)4 and teacher. He has fallen asleep at Ephesus. Moreover, Polycarp, too, at
Smyrna, both bishop and martyr (martys); and Thraseas, both bishop and martyr (martys), of
Eumenia, who has fallen asleep at Smyrna. And why need I mention Sagaris, both bishop and
martyr (martys), who has fallen asleep at Laodicea? or the blessed Papyrius, or Melito the
eunuch who in all things lived in the Holy Spirit, who lies at Sardis, awaiting the visitation
from heaven when he shall rise from the dead? These all observed the fourteenth day for the
Pascha according to the Gospel, in no way deviating therefrom, but following the rule of
faith. And moreover I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, [do] according to the tradition of
my kinsmen, on some of whom also I attended as a disciple(parēkolouthēsa).”

IS THE BELOVED DISCIPLE THE JOHN MENTIONED IN JOHN 1:6-7?

The Baptist’s job was to herald Jesus

The evangelist’s job was to bring people to belief in the light (1:7, 19:35)

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for testimony, to bear
6 

witness to the light, that all might believe through him.

19:35: He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells
the truth—that you also may believe.
21:24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these
things; and we know that his testimony is true.

Also Revelation 1:1-2: The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his
servants what must soon take place; and he made it known by sending his angel to his
servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ,
even to all that he saw.
JOHN THE ELDER?
Acts 4:5-6: On the morrow their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in
Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Ca′iaphas and John and Alexander, and all who
were of the high-priestly family.

John 18:13-16: First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca′iaphas, who
was high priest that year. 14 It was Ca′iaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was
expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did
another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the
high priest along with Jesus, 16 while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple,
who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and
brought Peter in.

Jn 20:2-8: So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus
loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know
where they have laid him.” 3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went
toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb
first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then
Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and
the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a
place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw
and believed;

NICODEMUS A PROXY FOR JOHN?

12:37, 42-46: Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in
him … Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the
Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved
the praise of men more than the praise of God. And Jesus cried out and said, “He who
believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him
who sent me. I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not
remain in darkness.

1:6-8: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to
bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came
to bear witness to the light. (The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the
world = a process of enlightenment told through Nicodemus))

 Nicodemus was known to the chief priests (7:50).

  He was secret, then public, disciple of Jesus:

Some of the people of Jerusalem: “Can it be that the authorities really know that
this is the Christ?” (7:26); Pharisees to the officers: “Have any of the authorities
or of the Pharisees believed in him?” … Nicode′mus, who had gone to him before,
and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first
giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from
Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.” (7:48
etc)

(see 7:47-52; Jn 19:39). He was present at the Passover Feast in Jerusalem in John 2
(cf. 3:2). He was present at the crucifixion (or in its immediate aftermath) (19:39). He
laid Jesus in the tomb and so knew where it was. Peter presumably did not not where
the tomb was because he wasn’t present at the crucifixion and burial, but the beloved
disciple does.

1:6-7:  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (Egneto anthropos
apestamenos para Theou onoma auto Iohannes). He came for testimony, to bear witness to
the light …
3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode′mus (En de anthropos ek ton
Pharisaion Nikodemos onoma auto)

20:30-31:  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples … but these are
written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you
may have life in his name.

2:11: This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and
his disciples believed in him.

2:23: Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when
they saw the signs which he did (Nicodemus appears to have been present, see below)

3:1-2, 7: Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode′mus, a ruler of the Jews. This
man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come
from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jesus
answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom
of God.” … Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ …

3:5: Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he
cannot enter the kingdom of God.
7:38-39:  He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers
of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were
to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. [Nb.
The only people who are “born anew” in John’s Gospel are those standing beneath the Cross,
e.g. the beloved disciple]

2:21: But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his
deeds have been wrought in God (20:1-2: Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag′dalene
came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away
from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom
Jesus loved)

7:25-31: Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek
to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the
authorities [rulers] really know that this is the Christ? Yet we know where this man comes
from; and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus
proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from?
But I have not come of my own accord; he who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I
know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” So they sought to arrest him; but no one
laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in
him; they said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?
[(3:2: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these
signs that you do, unless God is with him.””)

12:36-37: When Jesus had said this, he departed and hid himself from them [the crowd].
Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him

Culpepper, John the Son of Zebedee: Life of a Legend

Behr re the Petalon

MOMENTS WHEN “THE BELOVED DISCIPLE,” “THE OTHER DISCIPLE,” ARE

EXPLICITLY PRESENT? COULD NICODEMUS HAVE BEEN PRESENT AT ALL OF
THESE EVENTS
John 19:20-21: Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near
the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews then
said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” (so
the religious hierarchy are there).

19:26-27: When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his
mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And
from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

19:34-35: But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood
and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the
truth—that you also may believe.

19:38-39: After this Joseph of Arimathe′a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the
Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came
and took away his body. 39 Nicode′mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a
mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight.

CHIASM IN JOHN 19?

Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the
31 

cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day),

the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified
with him; 33 but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not
break his legs.

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and
34 

water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells
the truth—that you also may believe.

For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of him shall
36 

be broken.”
37 
And again another scripture says, “They shall look on him whom they have pierced.”

After this Joseph of Arimathe′a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the
38 

Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So
he came and took away his body. 39 Nicode′mus also, who had at first come to him by night,
came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight.

They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial
40 

custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the
garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of
Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

CHIASM IN JOHN 7?
24 
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they
25 

say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 Yet we know where this man comes from; and when
the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.”

So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from? But I have not come of my own
28 

accord; he who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they sought to arrest
him; but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come.

31 
Yet many of the people believed in him; they said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

32 
The Pharisees heard the crowd thus muttering about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.

Jesus then said, “I shall be with you a little longer, and then I go to him who sent me; 34 you will seek me and you will not find me;
33 

where I am you cannot come.”

35 
The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we shall not find him?

Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?

36 
What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. 38 He who
37 

believes in me, as[d] the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, which
those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This is really the prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is
40 

the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the
village where David was?”

43 
So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

45 
The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?”

The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? 48 Have any of
46 

the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed.” 50 Nicode′mus, who had gone
to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he
does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.”

And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the
people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

14-19

Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The people answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”

21 
Jesus answered them, “I did one deed, and you all marvel at it.

22 
Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man upon the sabbath.

23 
If on the sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken,

are you angry with me because on the sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? (Jn 5:16).  Do not judge by appearances, but judge with
right judgment.”

25 
Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?

26 
And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?