John 21:23 - This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”
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What does "John 21:23" mean?
John 21:23 is a passage often misinterpreted because it suggests that Jesus said a certain disciple wouldn't die, leading to a widespread belief among the early Christian community. However, the verse immediately clarifies that Jesus didn't actually say that. Let's break it down:
"This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die.": This means rumors spread among the Christians (referred to as "brothers" here) that one of Jesus' disciples would live until Jesus returned. This rumor was based on Jesus' cryptic remark.
"Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die...": This is the crucial clarification. The author of the Gospel of John is explicitly stating that Jesus never said the disciple wouldn't die. This sets the record straight and corrects the misinformation.
"...but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”": This is the original statement that Jesus made, which led to the misunderstanding. Let's analyze this statement:
"If I desire that he stay until I come...": This is a hypothetical statement. "If I desire" indicates it's not a certainty. "Until I come" refers to Jesus' second coming or his return in glory.
"...what is that to you?": This is the key to understanding Jesus' intent. He's essentially telling Peter (the disciple he was addressing) to mind his own business and focus on his own calling. He's saying that what Jesus might choose to do with another disciple's life is not Peter's concern. Peter should focus on following Jesus and carrying out his own mission.
In essence, the verse serves to:
1. Correct a Misunderstanding: The author aims to dispel a false belief circulating among the early Christians about one of the disciples being immortal.
2. Highlight the Importance of Personal Calling: Jesus' response emphasizes that each individual should focus on their own relationship with Jesus and their specific calling, rather than being concerned with what might happen to others.
3. Emphasize the Unknown Timing of Jesus' Return: The phrase "until I come" reminds readers that the timing of Jesus' return is unknown. The early church was likely eagerly awaiting Jesus' return, and this verse encourages patience and focus on discipleship rather than speculation about timelines.
Who is "This Disciple"?
While the verse doesn't explicitly name the disciple, it is widely believed, based on the context of John 21, that "this disciple" refers to the Apostle John, the author of the Gospel. In the preceding verses, Peter asks Jesus about John's future, prompting Jesus' response. This helps explain why the author would feel the need to clarify Jesus' words and correct the resulting misinterpretation, as it directly concerned his own legacy and the expectations of the community regarding his life.
John 21:23 - This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”
What does "John 21:23" mean?
John 21:23 is a passage often misinterpreted because it suggests that Jesus said a certain disciple wouldn't die, leading to a widespread belief among the early Christian community. However, the verse immediately clarifies that Jesus didn't actually say that. Let's break it down:
"This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die.": This means rumors spread among the Christians (referred to as "brothers" here) that one of Jesus' disciples would live until Jesus returned. This rumor was based on Jesus' cryptic remark.
"Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die...": This is the crucial clarification. The author of the Gospel of John is explicitly stating that Jesus never said the disciple wouldn't die. This sets the record straight and corrects the misinformation.
"...but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”": This is the original statement that Jesus made, which led to the misunderstanding. Let's analyze this statement:
"If I desire that he stay until I come...": This is a hypothetical statement. "If I desire" indicates it's not a certainty. "Until I come" refers to Jesus' second coming or his return in glory.
"...what is that to you?": This is the key to understanding Jesus' intent. He's essentially telling Peter (the disciple he was addressing) to mind his own business and focus on his own calling. He's saying that what Jesus might choose to do with another disciple's life is not Peter's concern. Peter should focus on following Jesus and carrying out his own mission.
In essence, the verse serves to:
1. Correct a Misunderstanding: The author aims to dispel a false belief circulating among the early Christians about one of the disciples being immortal.
2. Highlight the Importance of Personal Calling: Jesus' response emphasizes that each individual should focus on their own relationship with Jesus and their specific calling, rather than being concerned with what might happen to others.
3. Emphasize the Unknown Timing of Jesus' Return: The phrase "until I come" reminds readers that the timing of Jesus' return is unknown. The early church was likely eagerly awaiting Jesus' return, and this verse encourages patience and focus on discipleship rather than speculation about timelines.
Who is "This Disciple"?
While the verse doesn't explicitly name the disciple, it is widely believed, based on the context of John 21, that "this disciple" refers to the Apostle John, the author of the Gospel. In the preceding verses, Peter asks Jesus about John's future, prompting Jesus' response. This helps explain why the author would feel the need to clarify Jesus' words and correct the resulting misinterpretation, as it directly concerned his own legacy and the expectations of the community regarding his life.