John 21 23

John 21:23 kjv

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

John 21:23 nkjv

Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"

John 21:23 niv

Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

John 21:23 esv

So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

John 21:23 nlt

So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

John 21 verses

John 21 23 Meaning

John 21:23 clarifies a widespread misunderstanding within the early Christian community that the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (traditionally John) would not die. The verse states unequivocally that Jesus never made such a direct assertion. Instead, Jesus posed a conditional rhetorical question to Peter, asking "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?", which was an affirmation of God's sovereignty over John's lifespan and a gentle rebuke to Peter for his misplaced curiosity, redirecting him to his own calling. The text corrects a circulating rumor by distinguishing between Jesus' actual words and the misinterpreted saying that had spread among the "brothers."

John 21 23 Context

This verse is part of the final chapter of John's Gospel, a post-resurrection account of Jesus' appearance to seven disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. It follows Jesus' restoration of Peter, charging him three times to "feed my sheep," and then prophetically revealing the manner of Peter's future martyrdom (Jn 21:15-19). Peter, then, turns and, seeing the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (traditionally John), asks Jesus about this disciple's fate: "Lord, what about this man?" (Jn 21:20-21). Jesus responds with the conditional statement, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (Jn 21:22).

John 21:23 immediately addresses a significant misinterpretation that arose from Jesus' words. It's an important clarification because the longevity of the Apostle John (who is believed to have lived to old age, surviving the destruction of Jerusalem and the martyrdoms of other apostles) likely fueled the popular notion that he would never die. The author (John himself, or one closely associated with him, confirming his words) intervenes to correct this widely held belief, emphasizing that Jesus never made an absolute promise of John's immortality, but rather posed a hypothetical scenario asserting God's sovereign prerogative. This clarifies not only the historical facts but also Jesus' teaching, reinforcing that while believers anticipate Christ's return, the precise timing and individual fates are within God's unique design.

John 21 23 Word analysis

• So the saying spread abroad (Greek: exēlthen oun ho logos):
  • exēlthen: "went out," "spread abroad," indicating rapid and widespread dissemination.
  • ho logos: "the word," "the report," "the saying." Highlights how oral traditions quickly take hold.
  • This phrase captures the swift and far-reaching nature of rumors within a community.
• among the brothers (Greek: eis tous adelphous):
  • Refers to the fellow believers, the Christian community. This shows the internal propagation of the misunderstanding.
• that this disciple (Greek: hoti ho mathētēs houtos):
  • Identifies "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John). This phrase clarifies who the subject of the rumor was.
• was not to die (Greek: ouk apothnēskei):
  • ouk: A strong negative particle, directly refuting the popular belief.
  • apothnēskei: "is dying," or "will die." The active voice with the negative suggests an ongoing expectation of not dying.
  • This is the core of the false report: an unfulfilled prophecy of immortality.
• yet Jesus did not say to him (Greek: ouk eipen de autō ho Iēsous):
  • ouk eipen: "did not say," a forceful denial by the narrator to correct the misunderstanding.
  • Emphasizes the critical distinction between what was actually said by Jesus and what was understood or reported.
• that he was not to die (Greek: hoti ouk apothnēskei):
  • Repetition of the misinterpretation, but now specifically denying that Jesus said it.
• but, 'If it is my will that he remain (Greek: all' ean auton thelō menein):
  • all': "but," signals a direct contradiction and clarification.
  • ean thelō: "If I will/wish." Introduces a conditional clause, placing the outcome entirely on Jesus' sovereign will. It’s a hypothetical statement, not a definitive promise.
  • menein: "to remain," "to stay," implying to stay alive on earth. This focuses on the duration of life.
• until I come (Greek: heōs erchomai):
  • heōs: "until," sets a temporal boundary.
  • erchomai: "I come," referring unequivocally to Jesus' second coming (Parousia). This ties the potential longevity of John to an eschatological event, not an absolute guarantee of avoiding death.
• what is that to you?' (Greek: Ti pros se?):
  • A rhetorical question serving as a gentle but firm rebuke. Literally, "What to you?"
  • Redirects Peter's focus from speculative curiosity about John's future back to his own commission to "Follow Me!" (Jn 21:22).

Words-group analysis:

• "So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die": This phrase describes the common human tendency for misinformation and rumor to proliferate rapidly, particularly within close-knit communities, even those built on spiritual foundations. It highlights the vulnerability of early Christians to developing traditions based on partial understanding or wishful thinking, potentially undermining apostolic authority.
• "yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?'": This entire clause is the pivotal corrective statement. It powerfully asserts the integrity and accuracy of Jesus' original words against the corrupted popular tradition. It showcases the precise theological effort to distinguish between genuine revelation and popular misinterpretation. By framing John's continued presence "until I come" as contingent on divine will, Jesus firmly places individual life spans under his sovereignty. The rebuke, "what is that to you?" reinforces a critical principle for all believers: focus on one's own calling and obedience rather than meddling in or speculating about others' fates or God's timing for universal events like the Parousia.

John 21 23 Bonus section

• Internal Polemic: This verse represents an internal polemic, not against external opponents, but against a misunderstanding within the Christian community. This demonstrates the concern for doctrinal purity and historical accuracy even from the earliest times.
• Authenticity and Authorship: The inclusion of this corrective suggests that the beloved disciple (John) himself, or someone intimately associated with his tradition, was involved in the final compilation of the Gospel. It adds to the impression of authenticity, as a later redactor would likely not invent such a scenario unless it was addressing a genuine issue within the community known to them.
• John's Longevity: Historical tradition suggests John lived to be very old, perhaps the last of the apostles to die, possibly enduring until the reign of Emperor Trajan (early 2nd century AD). This extraordinary longevity among his martyred peers naturally would have fueled the "not to die" rumor, making the gospel's direct correction all the more pertinent and timely for the late first-century Christian audience.
• A Call to Personal Focus: Jesus' words "What is that to you? You follow me!" (from John 21:22, integral to understanding verse 23) emphasize that a disciple's primary concern should always be their own obedient walk with Christ, regardless of how God chooses to use or bring to an end the life of another. This teaching is timeless and universal, calling believers away from comparison or gossip and towards faithful discipleship.

John 21 23 Commentary

John 21:23 functions as a critical textual clarification at the close of John's Gospel. It rectifies a widely circulated but false tradition among early believers regarding the supposed immortality of the Apostle John. The rumor likely stemmed from an overly literal or misinterpreted reading of Jesus' conditional statement to Peter. The Gospel writer takes pains to precisely record Jesus' actual words, demonstrating the crucial importance of accurate theological transmission in the early church.

This verse addresses the inherent human tendency to distort or sensationalize, especially when it involves spiritual figures or eschatological hopes. By meticulously clarifying Jesus' statement, the author disarms a potential source of division or false teaching. It also implicitly underscores that all humanity, including the revered apostles, are subject to the universal reality of death, even if some like John live long lives in service to Christ. The phrase "until I come" points to the hope of Jesus' Second Coming, a core Christian doctrine, but firmly places the timing and specifics of individuals' lives within the Father's sovereign will, a mystery not for idle speculation. The final rhetorical question to Peter, reiterated in this clarification, serves as a timeless call for every disciple to focus on personal obedience and the commission given to them by Christ, rather than on the fate or mission of others.