The phrase "beloved disciple" refers to a person who is highly cherished or loved by another, typically in a close friendship or mentoring relationship. Full definition
If the evangelist John hinted that he is the unnamed beloved disciple in his Gospel, perhaps Mark did the same with the young man in the empty tomb. (religion-online.org)
In Albom's most sweeping novel yet, the voice of Music narrates the tale of its most beloved disciple, young Frankie Presto, a war orphan raised by a blind music teacher in a small Spanish town. (bookbrowse.com)
The references to the beloved disciple fit well with what we know of John in the other Gospels: that he was a member of Jesus» inner circle and a close comrade of Simon Peter in Acts; the other member of that inner circle — John's brother James — was martyred early on; Ac 12:2. (nakedpastor.com)