John 21 22

John 21:22 kjv

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

John 21:22 nkjv

Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."

John 21:22 niv

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

John 21:22 esv

Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

John 21:22 nlt

Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me."

John 21 verses

John 21 22 Meaning

This verse contains Jesus' response to Peter's inquiry about the fate of the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (traditionally John). After revealing Peter's own future martyrdom, Jesus tells Peter that John's destiny is a matter of divine prerogative, hypothetical ("if I want him to remain until I come"), and not Peter's concern ("what is that to you?"). The core command and immediate instruction for Peter, and for every believer, is to focus on personal, unswerving devotion and obedience to Jesus, expressed in the command, "You follow Me!" It strongly emphasizes individual accountability and discourages comparing one's call or destiny with that of another.

John 21 22 Context

This verse concludes John's Gospel, appearing within a crucial post-resurrection encounter between Jesus and His disciples, particularly Peter. After a miraculous catch of fish and a breakfast by the sea, Jesus singularly restores Peter, who had denied Him three times (John 18:17, 25-27), by asking him three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (John 21:15-17). Following Peter's threefold affirmation and Jesus' command to "Feed my sheep," Jesus prophecies Peter's future martyrdom (John 21:18-19). Peter, perhaps processing his own challenging future, then turns and asks about the beloved disciple (John 21:20-21). John 21:22 is Jesus' direct and firm response, which sets boundaries for Peter's curiosity and re-emphasizes the personal nature of discipleship. The immediate historical context highlights the early church's varied experiences and the potential for comparison or misunderstanding regarding the differing destinies of key apostles.

John 21 22 Word analysis

• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The name signifies "Yahweh saves." In this final exchange, Jesus, as the resurrected Lord, exercises divine authority in commissioning and directing His followers.
• said (εἶπεν, eipen): Simple past tense, indicating a direct verbal communication from Jesus.
• to him (αὐτῷ, autō): Refers to Peter. The immediate and personal address underscores the direct counsel given.
• If (ἐάν, ean): A conditional particle, introducing a hypothetical clause. Jesus is not stating that John will remain, but presenting a scenario, asserting His sovereign prerogative.
• I want (θέλω, thelō): Expresses divine will and intention. It signifies Jesus' ultimate authority over the life and destiny of every individual. This is a divine 'want' backed by power.
• him (τοῦτον, touton): Specifically refers to the other disciple, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John, as identified in John 21:20).
• to remain (μένειν, menein): To stay, abide, continue, endure. It refers to continued physical existence on earth. In the context of the rumor in John 21:23, it clearly means "to live on" or "not to die."
• until (ἕως, heōs): Indicates a temporal duration, up to a certain point.
• I come (ἔρχομαι, erchomai): The "coming" of Jesus is multifaceted in Scripture. While the primary and broadest sense is the Second Coming (Parousia), it can also signify His coming in a more immediate sense, such as judgment upon Jerusalem (AD 70), His spiritual presence, or His coming to an individual at the time of their death. The ambiguity here highlights that the timing of His coming or John's specific fate is not Peter's business, reinforcing the central point.
• what (τί, ti): An interrogative pronoun, part of an idiom.
• is that to you? (πρὸς σέ, pros se): This idiomatic Greek phrase is a gentle yet firm rebuke, essentially meaning "What concern is that to you?" or "It is none of your business." It draws a boundary around Peter's scope of concern and authority.
• You (σύ, sy): An emphatic second-person singular pronoun. Placed at the beginning of the command, it strongly distinguishes Peter's individual responsibility from anyone else's, contrasting it with his earlier preoccupation with "him" (John).
• follow (ἀκολούθει, akolouthei): Present imperative verb, demanding continuous action. It signifies total commitment, obedience, and alignment with Jesus' will and way of life, regardless of circumstances or the path of others.
• Me (μοι, moi): Dative pronoun, direct object of the verb "follow." This emphasizes Jesus Himself as the singular focus and object of Peter's loyalty and devotion.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "If I want him to remain until I come": This clause asserts Jesus' sovereign prerogative over the lifespan and destiny of His disciples. It demonstrates His absolute authority and power to orchestrate events and lives according to His divine will, without human input or questioning. It also deliberately leaves John's fate ambiguous, challenging preconceived notions and preparing for the explanation in v. 23.
• "what is that to you?": This rhetorical question serves as a direct, authoritative redirection. It underscores that spiritual paths, vocations, and destinies are individually appointed by God. Peter's curiosity about another's specific divine plan is irrelevant to his own divine assignment, highlighting the danger of distraction and comparison.
• "You follow Me!": This is the unequivocal, emphatic command at the heart of discipleship. It calls for undivided, personal, and immediate obedience to Jesus' call, irrespective of what others are called to do, experience, or what their futures hold. It re-establishes the disciple's direct and sole allegiance to the Lord.

John 21 22 Bonus section

This verse played a significant role in early church tradition regarding the Apostle John's longevity. Verse 23 explicitly notes that "Therefore this saying went out among the brothers that this disciple was not to die." This illustrates how a misinterpretation of Jesus' words, combined with a hypothetical statement, led to a false belief that persisted for a time. Jesus did not guarantee John's immortality; He merely used it as a hypothetical scenario to re-focus Peter. Historically, John did live a remarkably long life, surviving into old age (likely beyond the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem), writing his Gospel, letters, and Revelation, unlike Peter who was martyred. This divergence further highlighted Jesus' sovereign choice for each disciple. The exchange underscores the importance of carefully understanding Christ's words, differentiating between explicit command and hypothetical illustration, and resisting the urge to formulate doctrine from secondary implications rather than direct teaching.

John 21 22 Commentary

In John 21:22, Jesus delivers a crucial lesson on individual discipleship, addressing Peter's shift in focus from his own demanding future to the fate of the beloved disciple. Jesus asserts His ultimate sovereignty over the life paths of His followers, indicating that John's destiny, whether long life or an immediate calling home before the Lord's "coming," is solely His prerogative. Peter is pointedly told that such details concerning others are "not his business," a direct call to avoid comparing or envying others' callings. The enduring command, "You follow Me!" is Jesus' ultimate instruction: personal and unwavering obedience to Christ must be the singular preoccupation of every disciple. This principle guards against distraction, jealousy, and the misplaced energy of comparing one's journey with another's, thereby ensuring faithfulness to the unique path God sets for each individual. The verse strongly rebukes judgmentalism and fosters focused, individual devotion. For practical application, consider:

• Instead of wondering why others receive certain blessings or face certain hardships, focus on your own obedience to Christ today.
• In ministry, resist comparing your perceived success or struggles with another's; God's plan for each servant is distinct.
• When tempted to criticize another believer's spiritual walk, remember Jesus' direct word to Peter: "What is that to you? You follow Me!"