The authorship of the Gospel of John, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, is a topic of scholarly debate. The Gospel itself does not explicitly name its author as John, though it refers to the “beloved disciple” who is often identified with John. Early Christian tradition attributed the Gospel to John the Apostle, but modern scholars have raised questions about this attribution based on various factors:

1. Authorship Claims: The Gospel does not directly state its author’s name as John. The term “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is used, which some interpret as a self-reference by the author, possibly John, but this is not certain.
2. Writing Style and Theology: The Gospel of John differs in style, content, and theological emphasis from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), raising questions about whether it was written by the same John who was one of the Twelve Apostles.
3. Community Influence: Some scholars suggest that the Gospel may have been written by a disciple of John, or within a community influenced by John’s teachings, rather than directly by John himself.
4. Historical Context: The Gospel reflects theological and historical knowledge that extends beyond the time of Jesus, indicating it was likely composed later, possibly toward the end of the 1st century.

Due to these reasons, while tradition attributes the Gospel of John to John the Apostle, modern scholarly consensus is more cautious. Many scholars suggest that the Gospel may have originated from a Johannine community that revered John the Apostle, and that the Gospel may have been shaped by the teachings and reflections of this community rather than being directly authored by John himself.

Therefore, whether John the Apostle is the actual author of the Gospel of John remains uncertain and debated among scholars.