Bible Questions and Answers

A visitor writes,

"Why is John a beloved disciple of Jesus? Does the Lord Jesus love John more than the other disciples?"

It is John who describes himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

He does this instead of naming himself.

John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved...

John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord…

John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following…

Jesus loved all his disciples

John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

There is therefore no suggestion that Jesus loved John more than he loved the other disciples.

We might suppose that John describes himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ to emphasise the love of Jesus for those who follow him.

The second great commandment is ‘thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’.

This Jesus did.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,

Glenn

If you would like to respond to, or have questions arising from this answer, please email me direct at glennsmith99@gmail.com