What is the meaning of John 21:24? This is the disciple - The phrase points to “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” consistently mentioned in this Gospel (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). - By identifying himself this way, John quietly steps forward as an eyewitness, just as he did when he leaned on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper. - The emphasis: real person, real memories—no anonymous author or secondhand tale. who testifies to these things - “Testifies” signals courtroom language: John is giving sworn evidence (John 19:35; 1 John 1:1-2). - He is recounting what he has seen and heard, not rumors. Peter and John earlier told the authorities, “we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). - Scripture regularly anchors faith in eyewitness testimony (2 Peter 1:16), underscoring that Christianity is built on verifiable events. and who has written them down - John not only spoke but also “written” the account so future believers can share the same certainty (John 20:30-31). - God often commands His servants to record His works (Jeremiah 30:2; Revelation 1:1-2). Writing preserves accuracy and guards the message from distortion, fulfilling the principle that “the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). - Luke had a similar aim—“to write an orderly account… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4). And we know that his testimony is true - The “we” likely includes the wider apostolic circle or the original community who received the Gospel; their united affirmation boosts credibility (3 John 1:12). - Truth is a major theme in John’s writings (John 17:17; 19:35). He appeals to the fact that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18), so a Spirit-guided testimony must be reliable. - Readers are invited to trust the record with full confidence, just as the early believers did. summary John 21:24 acts as a signed affidavit at the close of the Gospel. The beloved disciple declares himself the eyewitness, insists he is telling exactly what he experienced, records it for every generation, and is endorsed by others who know him. The verse assures us that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are historical realities, faithfully preserved in Scripture so that we can believe and have life in His name. |
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