To witness or give testimony (Greek marturein) to someone or something lies in the heart of the Gospel of John. Jesus is the foremost witness of God as he reveals what he has seen in the Father’s presence (8:38). As one who has come down from heaven, he tells of heavenly things. After him comes John the Baptist who was sent to testify to the Light—Jesus (1:8). In turn, Jesus’ disciples point him out to others: Peter to Andrew, Philip to Nathanael, the man born blind to the Jewish Sanhedrin. Jesus himself points to a series of testimonies in his behalf: John the Baptist, the works the Father gave him to accomplish, the Father himself, Scriptures, and Moses (5:31-46).

The fullest witness to Jesus is the very Gospel of John which contains the testimony of the “beloved disciple.” The anonymous writer or evangelist has traditionally been claimed as the Apostle John, but some scholars see him as another person, perhaps a disciple of John. Whatever may be the case, John’s Gospel comes from the testimony of the disciple “whom Jesus loved” who along with Simon Peter plays an important role in Jesus’ public ministry.

The Beloved Disciple may not have shed his blood for the faith like Simon Peter. But he had a role as important as Simon’s: to leave a book of testimony that serves as foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ.

When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty. But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation. This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.”

He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.” or “Alleluia.”

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.