The disciple Jesus loved most prominently mentioned in the Bible is John the Apostle, who refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" in the Gospel of John, alongside Peter and James, who formed Jesus' inner circle, with some debate on whether Lazarus was also considered loved. John, the brother of James, was a key witness to Jesus' ministry, present at significant events like the Transfiguration and the Crucifixion, where he cared for Jesus' mother.
John, Apostle and Evangelist. As we honor this great Saint, let us reflect on the profound love that he had for our Lord Jesus Christ. John, also known as the beloved disciple, saw himself as such because his encounters with Jesus were deeply personal and intimate.
If John is to be identified with the disciple whom Jesus loved, then it was also only Peter and John who followed behind Jesus after his capture in the Garden of Gethsemane, and who ran to the empty tomb after Mary Magdalene bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus.
Paul refused to bring him along because he left them mid-way through the first journey (Acts 13:13, 15:38). Paul's concern was whether Mark would show himself unreliable once again. Paul knew that on the second missionary journey there would be new challenges and more difficulties in the planting of churches.
John was loved more because he was the only one who didn't abandon Christ at the cross.
These three knew more than the other who Jesus was on the inside — they knew more about his courage, as well as his fears — which is what will make Peter and James' abandonment of Jesus on Good Friday particularly painful. But his very best friend, John, did stay with him all the way to the end.
Some say it was because Jesus was closest with Peter. Others say it was because Jesus knew Peter would go on to be a pillar of the faith.
In the Gospel attributed to him, he refers to himself not as “John,” but as “the one whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7). Tradition holds that he outlived the other Apostles, dying around the year 101. He is the only Apostle who died of natural causes rather than martyrdom.
But years later, when his life was drawing to a close, Paul and John Mark fully reconciled and shared ministry together. Paul would tell Timothy, “Get John Mark and bring him with you to me, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11).
Joshua 24:14–15 Reminds Us to Serve God
And then for us to pray that God would save us from idols in our country. We must decide if we will serve God or ourselves. Let's do that. God, we start this prayer by saying you alone are God.
She had no other children and never engaged in the marital act with Joseph. Sometimes this is confusing since there are references in the Scriptures to Jesus' brothers and sisters.
In the first season, there is a scene with one of the twelve disciples called Little James. Little James has a disability and is struggling with the fact that Jesus is healing all the people who come to Him (Matthew 12:15), but has not yet healed him when he is visibly disabled.
Jesus speaks of forgiveness beyond what anyone had ever considered before: seventy times seven! Many commentaries understand this to mean that Jesus was telling Peter that he should forgive his brother a limitless number of times.
Since the end of the first century, the beloved disciple has often (but not unanimously) been identified with John the Evangelist.
Although we don't know for sure what happened to Mary Magdalene following her encounter with Jesus after the resurrection, it is clear that there were Christians who understood her to possess the teachings of Jesus.
In these apocryphal texts, Mary Magdalene is portrayed as a visionary and leader of the early movement whom Jesus loved more than he loved the other disciples.
Though Peter was married (Mark 1:30; I Corinthians 9:5), it is doubtful that Mark (Marcus) was Peter's biological son. We learn in Acts 12:12 that Mark's mother was Mary and that her house was in Jerusalem.
As Paul and Barnabas prepared for their second missionary journey, Barnabas proposed that they take John Mark with them again. Paul, however, was adamantly opposed. He felt that John Mark's earlier departure demonstrated a lack of commitment and reliability.
This led to a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas causing them to part ways—Paul and Silas traveling through Syria and Cilicia and Barnabas and John Mark sailing for Cypress.
John was banished by the Roman authorities to the Greek island of Patmos, where, according to tradition, he wrote the Book of Revelation. According to Tertullian (in The Prescription of Heretics) John was banished (presumably to Patmos) after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering nothing from it.
Enoch and Elijah are the only people in the Bible who did not die a natural death. Instead, they were “taken by God.”
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. “Do your best to come to me soon.
Jesus calls two sets of brothers as his first followers. His inner circle is made up of men who had a bond, knew each other intimately, and could push each other's buttons. In calling two sets of brothers Jesus called families to surround him and form the nucleus of his family of apostles.
In season three of The Chosen, a large subplot focuses on Simon and his wife Eden (whose name is not mentioned in Scripture) suffering a miscarriage. This is not found in the Bible but is an interesting exploration of how the disciples might have dealt with personal tragedy during Jesus' time on earth.
Peter's weakness allowed Jesus to show His divine love for His friend and earthly companion. Jesus loved Peter with such deep love that He looked past the times of confusion and fear. Jesus saw not a sinner. Our Lord saw a person who loved Him deeply.