Short answer
– From an evangelical perspective, the most likely author of the Gospel passage containing John 11:25 is the Apostle John (the “beloved disciple”), the son of Zebedee. Evangelicals hold that John — an eyewitness and member of Jesus’ inner circle — wrote the Fourth Gospel, recording Jesus’ words and signs so readers would believe (John 20:31).

Why evangelicals identify John the Apostle as the author
– Internal witness: The Gospel repeatedly refers to “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and concludes with an explicit claim linking that disciple to the written Gospel (John 21:24). Evangelicals read this as an autobiographical pointer to an eyewitness author.
– Eyewitness detail and perspective: The Fourth Gospel contains vivid, specific scenes (conversations, timing, geography, named individuals) and theological reflection consistent with someone who both witnessed events and reflected on their meaning over time.
– Early church testimony: Church fathers in the 2nd century (notably Irenaeus, who had links to Polycarp) attribute the Gospel to John the Apostle and place its composition in Ephesus. Evangelicals regard this early external attestation as strong corroboration.
– Johannine unity: The close theological and linguistic connections among the Gospel of John, 1–3 John, and the Johannine themes of “life,” “light,” and “belief” support common authorship or an immediate Johannine circle — which evangelicals typically identify with the Apostle John.
– Theological and pastoral purpose: The Gospel’s stated purpose (John 20:31) fits an apostolic witness aimed at leading people to trust Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. Evangelicals see this as consistent with apostolic mission and authority.

Date and place (evangelical consensus range)
– Most evangelicals date John’s Gospel to late first century (commonly ca. 85–95 AD), with composition likely in Ephesus or the surrounding region. This situates John later than the Synoptic Gospels but still within living memory of eyewitnesses.

Brief note on alternate views
– Critical scholarship often posits an anonymous “Johannine community” or a later redactor rather than the Apostle John. Evangelicals generally weigh both the internal claims and the early patristic testimony more heavily and therefore prefer the apostolic authorship conclusion, while still recognizing scholarly arguments and seeking answers to them.

Why John 11:25 matters in that context
– John 11:25 (“I am the resurrection and the life…”) is recorded in the context of Jesus raising Lazarus (John 11), a vivid sign that underscores Jesus’ power over death and prefigures his own resurrection. For evangelicals, its presence in John’s Gospel — believed to be written by an eyewitness apostle — strengthens the verse’s historical reliability and authority for Christian belief in Jesus as the source of eternal life.

Pastoral application (evangelical emphasis)
– Because the Gospel is treated as apostolic, eyewitness testimony and God-breathed Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16), John 11:25 is read as both an accurate historical report of Jesus’ words and as a living promise: trusting Christ brings resurrection hope and eternal life.