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Appendix
The “other disciple” Believed First
“Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed” (Fourth gospel 20:8). Earlier editions of this book did note that the “other disciple” was the first one in scripture who “believed” after Jesus’ resurrection, but it was in the context of discussing why he reacted this way. This led to a key piece of evidence being overlooked – the significance of when he “believed”.
This is the record of what happened to Peter and the “other disciple” on resurrection morning: “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home” (Fourth gospel 20:1-10).
The fourth gospel is the only book that tells of this “other disciple”, so this is the only record of his reaction on that morning. Regardless, we know that “the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher” and that “he saw, and believed”. (The author then emphasized “as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead” (Fourth gospel 20:9). Therefore, he made it clear that he “believed” even though neither he nor Peter had yet realized that scripture had foretold the resurrection.) This is the first time after the resurrection that the Bible refers to anyone believing, so we can see that he “believed” before the rest of the disciples.
More importantly, this point proves that the “other disciple” was not one of “the twelve” apostles because of the timing of their belief. He “believed” early on the morning of the resurrection, but they did not believe until later that day, after they saw Jesus. This point of contrast with the apostles can be seen in verses like this: “Afterward he [Jesus] appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen” (Mk. 16:14).
Despite hearing from those who had seen the risen Jesus, the “unbelief” of “the eleven” persisted until late on resurrection day. They couldn’t even be convinced by the two who had been taught by Jesus earlier that day on the road to Emmaus (when “he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lu. 24:13-27)). These two had told these things to “the eleven” (Lu. 24:33-34), but still, the apostle’s “unbelief” continued until they personally saw the resurrected Jesus.
The evidence presented earlier in this study proved whoever the “other disciple” was, he was not John. Now comes even more proof of this fact. That disciple “believed” before he saw Jesus, while “the eleven” were in “unbelief” until they saw Jesus. He “believed” early on resurrection morning and that sets the author of the fourth gospel in stark contrast to the “unbelief” of “the eleven” later that same day.
The Bible Versus Non-Bible Sources
Those who stick with the John idea in spite of the biblical evidence to the contrary will surely go on citing non-Bible sources as if that justifies promoting the John tradition. But now they will have to ignore, or explain away, yet one more contrast between the “other disciple” and “the twelve”. Either way, it’s never wise to dismiss what the Bible says. If one has to quote non-Bible sources to defend an idea because they cannot cite scripture that would justify teaching that idea, then that in itself should tell us something. It should be a big red flag!
If we let our beliefs/the beliefs of others serve as the standard by which truth is judged, then what is our authority? The scholars of Jesus’ day cited themselves as the measure of truth when they said, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?” (Fourth gospel 7:48). Here they are pointing to non-Bible sources (the beliefs of leaders) rather than quoting scripture to make their case. And the same is true when non-Bible sources are used to convince people to accept the John idea. What no one has ever done is cite a single verse that actually justifies teaching that the one whom “Jesus loved” was John – not those who originated this unbiblical idea and not those who repeat their error unto this day.
This issue ultimately comes down to the Bible vs. tradition (i.e., non-Bible sources). Those who will ignore the testimony of scripture on this issue give themselves artistic license to trust non-Bible sources over scripture whenever they choose to do so.
A Better Bible Study Method
Instead of relying on men who cite other men who cite other men, ask yourself: Why don’t they just cite scripture if it truly teaches what they say it does? As this study has shown, relying on the word of God to be the standard for determining what is biblical is a better Bible study method. (What method do you use to determine whether something is true or not?)
We must be careful to resist appeals to man’s wisdom or we risk being lured into believing things simply because others believe them. Teachers will often cite ‘the commonly accepted interpretation’ or ‘consensus’ to sell an idea. The problem is that such appeals falsely imply that agreement among men is a reliable measure of truth, even though one doesn’t have to look far in scripture to disprove this notion.
Don’t get stampeded into following the crowd. We ought to fear God rather than men, and it makes sense that this should apply to our Bible study also. Consider the source! If an idea is taught in scripture, then it’s biblical; but if it’s not taught in scripture, then we should not pretend that it is. The LORD said, “he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully” (Jer. 23:28b). So, ideas from non-Bible sources should not be substituted for, or added to, the word of God.
Moreover, we do not get to pick-and-choose when truth is important and when it doesn’t matter. To do so is to act as if turning a blind eye to the facts in scripture is justified by declaring that truth matters only when we, or those we are following, say it does. Yet, if we grant ourselves or others the right to say when a truth in scripture can be ignored, then we’ve decided that a non-Bible source is to be esteemed more highly than the word of God itself, despite the biblical warnings against doing so. We will either fall into the trap of repeating the ideas of men, or we’ll get in the habit of proving all things with scripture.
God’s inspired writers repeatedly used terms like “as it is written” in upholding scripture as the standard of truth. The word of God is always reliable. So when we face an issue where God’s word and the words of men are in conflict, we would be wise to consider the advice of Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man”.
“the LORD trieth the hearts”
Was the John idea “from heaven, or of men”? This question is answered by the biblical evidence presented herein; for if a belief contradicts scripture then that idea is not “from heaven”. Now, once we have seen that the John idea contradicts scripture, what should we say to those who point us back to non-Bible sources or urge us not to share this truth with others? At that point it may be best to respond as Peter and John did when they were told not to tell others the truth about Jesus: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19b-20).
In scripture, a test is often used to prove what is in one’s heart (Ex. 16:4, Du. 8:16, Ps. 26:2, et al.), and the choice between tradition and truth that confronts us on this issue is, no doubt, also a test. God’s will is for all men “to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Ti. 2:4). However, the Bible tells of many who would not do so, like those who “turn away their ears from the truth” (2Ti. 4:4), or those in leadership who actually “believed on” Jesus but would not acknowledge that truth because “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Fourth gospel 12:42-43). Did their response matter? If God’s word challenges us on an issue, does it make a difference how we respond? One thing is certain, the children of God listen when God’s word speaks: Jesus said, “He that is of God heareth God’s words” (Fourth gospel 8:47). And, just as it said in Proverbs 17:3, “the LORD trieth the hearts”.
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Postscript
Jesus said, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth” (Fourth gospel 18:37).
“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Ps. 145:18).
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Pr. 3:5).
“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge” (Pr. 19:27).
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe” (Pr. 29:25).
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Pr. 1:7).
“He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding” (Pr. 15:32).
“Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not” (Pr. 8:33).
“... reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Pr. 6:23b).
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2Ti. 3:16).
“He that is of God heareth God’s words...” (Fourth gospel 8:47a).
“... the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Is. 40:8b).
“... thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Ps. 138:2b).
“... thy word is truth” (Fourth gospel 17:17b).
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Fourth gospel 4:24).
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true... think on these things” (Php. 4:8).
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Now consider the verses in the Preface in a whole new light.
Additional resources on this topic:
Inside The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved on Amazon.com
Frequent questions on the authorship of the fourth gospel
Sermon on the beloved disciple, interviews, and other audio
(Burn a CD for a friend, listen online, or download to an MP3 player)
Free printable copy of this Bible study on the beloved disciple
(30 two-sided 8.5 x 11 pages, 60 pages total)
Larger print version of this beloved disciple Bible study
(37 two-sided 8.5 x 11 pages, 73 pages total)
The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved book view pdf
Bible study links and free Bible software
Gospel of John or not? Top Ten
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