John 21 24

John 21:24 kjv

This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

John 21:24 nkjv

This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

John 21:24 niv

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

John 21:24 esv

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

John 21:24 nlt

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

John 21 verses

John 21 24 Meaning

John 21:24 asserts the identity and reliability of the author of the Gospel of John. It states that the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (referenced earlier in the chapter) is the eyewitness responsible for testifying to the events recorded in the Gospel and for writing them down. Crucially, the verse concludes with an endorsement from the community, stating their knowledge that his testimony is truthful and accurate. This serves to authenticate the entire Gospel message by vouching for its primary source.

John 21 24 Context

John 21:24 is the penultimate verse of the Gospel of John, appearing in an appendix (chapter 21) that most scholars consider a later addition by the Johannine community or editors. This chapter recounts a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to several disciples, focusing significantly on Peter's restoration and the future of the beloved disciple. Following Jesus's words about Peter's impending martyrdom (v. 18-19) and the misunderstanding regarding the beloved disciple's fate (v. 20-23), this verse directly addresses the question of the identity and authority of the source of these "things" – meaning the entire Gospel narrative. It functions as an authoritative closure and an internal declaration of authorship and veracity, validating the preceding account of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. Historically, claiming authorship by an eyewitness was paramount in establishing credibility for ancient texts, especially religious or historical narratives. The endorsement by the "we" suggests that the Johannine community recognized and affirmed the disciple's account.

John 21 24 Word analysis

• This is the disciple (οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μαθητὴς – houtos estin ho mathētēs): This direct phrase points definitively to the unnamed "beloved disciple" frequently mentioned in John's Gospel (Jn 13:23; 19:26-27; 20:2-9; 21:7, 20-23). It clarifies that this individual, central to Jesus's inner circle, is the specific authority behind the Gospel.
• who testifies (ὁ μαρτυρῶν – ho martyrōn): From martyreō, meaning "to bear witness, testify." This is a present participle, indicating an ongoing act of witnessing, which encapsulates the entire scope of the Gospel – presenting a sustained, consistent account based on firsthand knowledge. John's Gospel is steeped in the theme of testimony (Jesus's testimony, John the Baptist's, the Spirit's, the Father's, the works' testimony).
• to these things (περὶ τούτων – peri toutōn): Refers collectively to the entirety of the narrative and teachings contained within the Gospel of John. This signifies that the disciple's testimony encompasses all the events, sayings, and interpretations presented from chapter 1 through 21.
• and who wrote them down (καὶ ὁ γράψας ταῦτα – kai ho grapsas tauta): From graphō, "to write." The aorist participle (grapsas) denotes a completed action, confirming the beloved disciple as the actual author of the written text. This directly connects the eyewitness testimony to the physical act of documentation, underscoring the reliability of the written record.
• We know (καὶ οἴδαμεν – kai oidamen): From oida, "to know," implying direct, experiential, and certain knowledge. The plural "we" is crucial, typically interpreted as the Johannine community, the church, or the editors responsible for the final publication of the Gospel. It serves as an authoritative collective endorsement, adding external verification to the author's internal claim.
• that his testimony is true (ὅτι ἀληθής ἐστιν ἡ μαρτυρία αὐτοῦ – hoti alēthēs estin hē martyria autou): Alēthēs means "true, truthful, genuine." This is a direct, unequivocal affirmation of the absolute reliability and veracity of the eyewitness account. The community's certainty about the truthfulness of the beloved disciple's martyria (testimony/witness) validates the entire message of the Gospel. It speaks to the integrity of the witness and the divine nature of what he saw and heard.

John 21 24 Bonus section

• The "Beloved Disciple": While never explicitly named as John the Apostle, early church tradition overwhelmingly identifies him as such. This verse reinforces the deep spiritual and personal connection the author had with Jesus, positioning his perspective as uniquely intimate and therefore valuable.
• Literary Strategy: Placing this definitive authorial claim at the end of the Gospel serves as an intentional literary strategy. It frames the entire narrative with credibility, signaling to the original readers (and all subsequent ones) that they are engaging with a firsthand, trustworthy account, validated by a believing community.
• Echoes of John 19:35: This verse resonates strongly with John 19:35, where the beloved disciple's witness to the spear piercing Jesus's side is likewise affirmed: "The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. And he knows that he tells the truth so that you also may believe." Both passages emphasize eyewitness credibility and the purpose of belief.
• The Johannine Community: The "we" is pivotal for understanding the communal context of this Gospel's transmission. It suggests a school of thought or group of followers who cherished, preserved, and possibly finalized the teachings and accounts of this specific disciple, seeing him as the true bearer of Jesus's word.
• Purpose of Certification: This final certification of truth aligns with the broader purpose of John's Gospel to produce faith. It aims to eliminate doubt about the foundational facts concerning Jesus's identity, miracles, teachings, death, and resurrection.

John 21 24 Commentary

John 21:24 acts as an authoritative, community-backed statement of the Gospel's origin and veracity. It formally identifies the anonymous "beloved disciple" as both the primary eyewitness source and the author. This double assertion — the seeing and the writing — lays a foundation for the Gospel's reliability, which is then publicly affirmed by the "we," generally understood as the Johannine community. This communal endorsement elevates the narrative beyond a singular personal account, grounding it in the collective faith and experience of those who revered and preserved his message. The emphatic declaration "we know that his testimony is true" underscores the ultimate goal of the Gospel: to present a true and trustworthy account of Jesus that invites belief, as articulated in John 20:31. It serves as a strong final word of authentication against any doubt or rival claims.