How can John 21:23 guide us in communicating Jesus' words to others? The Setting of John 21:23 “Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, ‘If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?’” (John 21:23) What Went Wrong in the Rumor • A single statement by Jesus was repeated without its qualifying phrase. • The hearers assumed a meaning Jesus never intended. • The rumor grew—even among devoted believers—because the original words were not carefully preserved. Why This Matters for Us • Scripture is precise; our retelling must match its precision (Proverbs 30:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:2). • Adding, subtracting, or paraphrasing carelessly can shift doctrine and mislead hearts (Revelation 22:18-19). • Faithful handling of Jesus’ words is part of approved workmanship before God (2 Timothy 2:15). Guidelines for Communicating Jesus’ Words • Read the whole context before speaking or teaching. • Quote Scripture directly when possible; if you paraphrase, say so. • Guard tone and emphasis to reflect what the text actually says, not what we hope or fear it means. • Check with reliable translations and commentaries before passing a saying along. • Invite accountability: let fellow believers examine your explanation against the text (Acts 17:11). • Correct errors promptly and publicly, just as rumors often spread publicly. Practical Steps for Everyday Conversations 1. Carry or access a Bible app so you can show the verse, not merely summarize it. 2. Preface your sharing with, “Scripture says…” and then read it word-for-word. 3. After reading, highlight key phrases: “Notice Jesus says, ‘If I want…’—He’s speaking hypothetically.” 4. Encourage listeners to read the surrounding verses on their own. 5. If you realize you misstated something, immediately clarify and point back to the text. Encouragement for Faithful Witnesses • Jesus trusted His followers to bear His words accurately; that trust extends to us today (Matthew 28:19-20). • The Spirit of truth aids us in remembering and explaining Christ’s teaching (John 14:26). • When we honor the precise words of the Lord, we protect the flock from confusion and glorify the One who spoke them (Psalm 19:7-9). |
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