text: You seem to be replying to Monica here? The identity of the beloved is tied to John 21:2, 7, 20-23 as we learn the beloved is present. The final clue is verse 24 which could mean the beloved is the author of the Book of John or one who contributed to the book. However, the name of the book (John) is not necessarily the name of the author or a contributor. I was trying to say that the identity of the beloved may in fact change throughout the Book of John as a sort of guessing game for the reader. Apostle John is a possible candidate for the beloved, but John is not named as someone specifically "loved" by Jesus, as is Lazarus. There are plenty of contradictions among the books of the Gospel, and I suppose many are intentional as a device for allowing the reader to gain awareness. 'Sower's Sevens' (from number sets) suggest to me that the four books of the Gospel were under the control of one party early on, so John passed through the same shop as the other books at the same time.