What is the meaning of John 21:23? Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die • The “disciple” is John, the writer of the Gospel (John 21:20). • Early believers took Jesus’ words to Peter (John 21:22) as a blanket promise of John’s earthly immortality, letting speculation outrun revelation—much as some later did with Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s return (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2). • Scripture records the rumor to show how quickly hearsay can harden into doctrine when God’s people repeat rather than verify (Proverbs 14:15; 1 Timothy 1:4). • John quietly sets the record straight while still affirming the historical accuracy of the circulating story: the rumor was real, but it rested on a misinterpretation. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die • John underscores the difference between what Jesus actually said and what listeners assumed (Proverbs 30:5-6). • This serves as a pastoral caution: handle Christ’s words with precision (2 Timothy 2:15). • The statement also implies John’s eventual death—consistent with the universal sentence of Hebrews 9:27 and Jesus’ broader teaching that every disciple bears a cross (Luke 9:23-24). • John lived long (Revelation 1:9), outlasting the other apostles, but not forever; tradition places his death near the end of the first century. His longevity fulfilled God’s unique plan without contradicting the certainty of physical death for all (Psalm 90:10). but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?” • Jesus refocuses Peter from curiosity about another’s path to faithfulness in his own (John 21:19). • The phrase “If I want” highlights Christ’s sovereign right to assign differing callings and timelines (Romans 9:20-21; Romans 14:4). • “Until I return” reaffirms the literal, future Second Coming (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:12). The possibility of one disciple being alive at that moment lay entirely in Jesus’ will, not in a promise of immortality. • Practical take-aways: – Follow Christ personally, not comparatively. – Trust His unique plan for each believer (Ephesians 2:10). – Stay watchful for His return without setting dates or inventing guarantees (Matthew 24:42; Acts 1:7). summary John 21:23 records an honest misunderstanding among early Christians. Jesus never promised John would escape death; He merely asserted His right to keep John alive as long as He wished. The verse teaches careful listening to Scripture, acceptance of Christ’s differing callings, and steadfast focus on following Him while expecting His literal return. |
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