King James Version

What Does John 21:23 Mean?

John 21:23 in the King James Version says “Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shal... — study this verse from John chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

John 21:23 · KJV


Context

21

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

23

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

24

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

25

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? John provides crucial editorial correction of a widespread misunderstanding. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren (ἐξῆλθεν οὖν οὗτος ὁ λόγος εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς/exēlthen oun houtos ho logos eis tous adelphous)—the verb went abroad (ἐξῆλθεν/exēlthen) indicates widespread circulation. A rumor spread through early Christian communities based on misunderstanding Jesus's words.

The misinterpretation was that that disciple should not die (ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει/hoti ho mathētēs ekeinos ouk apothnēskei)—believers concluded John would live until Christ's return. This may have caused eschatological confusion: if John must live until the parousia, then Christ's return was expected within John's natural lifetime. As John aged, questions would arise.

John carefully corrects this: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die (οὐκ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει/ouk eipen autō ho Iēsous hoti ouk apothnēskei). Jesus made no such promise. Instead, John quotes Jesus's actual words precisely: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? The conditional If (ἐάν/ean) was crucial—Jesus spoke hypothetically about His sovereign right, not prophetically about John's certain survival.

This correction demonstrates John's integrity as historian and theologian. He could have left the rumor uncorrected, enhancing his mystique, but instead clarifies precisely what Jesus said versus what people inferred. This models careful biblical interpretation—distinguishing what Scripture actually says from what we think it implies.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By the time John wrote this Gospel (likely AD 90-95), he was indeed very old, perhaps the last surviving apostle. The rumor that he wouldn't die before Christ's return had apparently circulated for decades. As John aged into his 80s or 90s, this rumor may have caused confusion or disappointment—if John can die, does that mean Christ isn't returning soon?

John's clarification served multiple purposes: (1) It corrected biblical misinterpretation, showing Jesus's words were hypothetical, not prophetic promise. (2) It prepared believers for John's eventual death—when he died, it wouldn't contradict Jesus's words. (3) It discouraged date-setting for Christ's return based on human lifespan. (4) It modeled hermeneutical integrity—handle God's Word carefully, don't claim it says more than it does.

The phrase 'the brethren' (τοὺς ἀδελφούς/tous adelphous) shows how early Christians referred to fellow believers—family language expressing spiritual kinship. This community had suffered together, shared resources, faced persecution—and also sometimes misunderstood Jesus's words together. John's gentle correction within the family teaches that love includes truth-telling, even when correcting cherished traditions.

Church history records that John died peacefully in Ephesus at advanced age, the only apostle not martyred. His long life produced immense fruit: this Gospel, three epistles, Revelation, decades of pastoral ministry, training of leaders like Polycarp. God's 'If I will' proved to be His will—John did 'tarry' longer than any other apostle, though not literally until the Second Coming.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage warn against building theology or expectations on implications rather than explicit biblical statements?
  2. Why is John's willingness to correct a rumor that enhanced his own reputation a model of Christian integrity and careful biblical interpretation?
  3. What modern Christian rumors or misinterpretations need similar careful correction by examining what Scripture actually says versus what we assume it means?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
ἐξῆλθεν1 of 33

abroad

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

οὖν2 of 33

Then

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

3 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγος4 of 33

saying

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

οὗτος5 of 33

this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

εἰς6 of 33

among

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τοὺς7 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφοὺς8 of 33

the brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ὅτι9 of 33

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

10 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητὴς11 of 33

disciple

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

ἐκεῖνος12 of 33

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

οὐκ13 of 33

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀποθνῄσκει·14 of 33

He shall

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

καὶ15 of 33

yet

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ16 of 33

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἶπεν17 of 33

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτὸν18 of 33

that he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

19 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς20 of 33

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ὅτι21 of 33

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκ22 of 33

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀποθνῄσκει·23 of 33

He shall

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

ἀλλ'24 of 33

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

Ἐὰν25 of 33

If

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

αὐτὸν26 of 33

that he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

θέλω27 of 33

I will

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

μένειν28 of 33

tarry

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἕως29 of 33

till

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

ἔρχομαι30 of 33

I come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

τί31 of 33

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

πρὸς32 of 33

is that to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

σέ33 of 33

thee

G4571

thee


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 21:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 21:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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