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

The verse signifies Jesus' response to Peter's question about John's future. Jesus clarifies that Peter's focus should be on following Him, not on another disciple's destiny. It highlights the importance of individual discipleship and obedience to Christ's commands over speculating about others.

John 21 22 Context

This conversation occurs after Jesus' resurrection and appears to be a private moment between Jesus and Peter, following the restoration of Peter to his apostleship (John 21:15-19). The previous verses detail Jesus asking Peter three times if he loves Him, to which Peter responds affirmatively each time, culminating in Jesus telling Peter to feed His sheep. Peter, upon seeing John, asks about his fate, seemingly curious about how his ministry and end would compare to Peter's own revealed destiny. Jesus redirects Peter's attention back to his personal calling and the essential task of following Him. The broader context of the Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus' divine nature, His relationship with the Father, and the necessity of believing in Him for eternal life.

John 21 22 Word Analysis

• "You" (σύ - sy): Direct address to Peter.
• "follow" (ἀκολούθει - akolouthei): Present imperative verb, commanding continuous action. It signifies not just walking behind but also adherence, obedience, and imitation.
• "Me" (ἐμοί - emoi): The object of Peter's calling and discipleship.
• "if" (ἐὰν - ean): Conditional conjunction.
• "I" (ἐγώ - ego): Jesus referring to himself.
• "will" (θέλω - thelo): Jesus' volition and authority.
• "that" (τοῦτο - touto): Refers to the matter Peter had just asked about – John's fate.
• "he" (αὐτόν - auton): John.
• "stay" (μένῃ - menē): Subjunctive verb, referring to John's continued existence.
• "until" (ἕως - heos): Temporal conjunction.
• "I" (ἐγώ - ego): Jesus.
• "come" (ἔρχομαι - erchomai): Refers to Jesus' return, understood in various contexts as His eventual second coming or the coming of His kingdom.
• "it" (σοὶ - soi): Refers to the previous question concerning John.
• "is" (γέγονεν - gegenen): Perfect tense verb.
• "not" (μὴ - me): Negation.
• "to you" (σοὶ - soi): To you, Peter.
• "to follow" (ἀκολουθεῖν - akolouthein): Infinitive, parallel to the imperative at the start.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "Follow Me": This is a repeated motif in John's Gospel, signifying the core of Christian discipleship. It implies a commitment to Jesus' way of life, teachings, and ultimately, His sacrifice.
• "It is not for you to know...": This phrase emphasizes that divine timing and the specific destinies of others are not within Peter's purview or control. His responsibility is personal obedience.
• "Stay until I come": This phrase has been interpreted in various ways by scholars. Some see it as referring to John living until Jesus' second coming, others to Jesus' coming in judgment against Jerusalem, or even the figurative coming of Jesus in the establishing of His kingdom. John’s eventual death (around AD 98-100) provides historical context that informs this discussion.

John 21 22 Bonus Section

The discipleship model Jesus presents here underscores that each believer has a unique path and purpose. Peter's fate was to be a leader in the early church, eventually martyring himself for Christ, while John's role involved being a witness and chronicler of Christ's life and teachings, living to a venerable old age. Jesus’ instruction to Peter mirrors the call to all believers in Hebrews 12:1-2, urging them to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." The temptation to compare our journey with others is a common spiritual pitfall, and Jesus’ words serve as a timeless reminder to stay fixed on Him and His will for our individual lives.

John 21 22 Commentary

Jesus redirects Peter from inquiring about John's life and destiny to focusing on his own immediate duty and calling. Peter's question stemmed from love and curiosity, but Jesus wisely uses it to emphasize the primacy of personal discipleship. The affirmation that John might "stay until I come" is not a declaration that John would not die but a statement that his lifespan would extend further than Peter's and that he would bear witness to Jesus' coming in judgment upon Israel, a witness that would last through the early church. The overarching message is for believers to concentrate on their own walk with Christ and their assigned ministry, rather than being sidetracked by the assignments or timelines of others. This theme of personal responsibility and faithfulness to Christ's commission echoes throughout scripture.