Which disciple is identified as the author of the Gospel of John by Christian tradition?

Christian tradition identifies John the Apostle as the author of the Gospel of John.

The Gospel itself does not name its author directly. It repeatedly refers to a “disciple whom Jesus loved,” especially in scenes surrounding the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the empty tomb. Later church tradition connected this figure and the Gospel’s authorship with John the Apostle, one of the Twelve and the brother of James.

Modern scholarship often distinguishes traditional attribution from questions about composition. Many scholars propose that the Gospel reached its final form through the work of a Johannine community or several stages of editing. The text’s high theological style and distinctive structure also set it apart from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

John the Apostle should not be confused with John the Baptist, who appears earlier in the Gospel narrative and is described as a witness to Jesus. Nor should he be automatically equated with every other New Testament figure named John. The answer reflects the longstanding Christian attribution, while the historical authorship remains debated.