King James Version

What Does John 21:24 Mean?

John 21:24 in the King James Version says “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.” — study this verse from John chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

John 21:24 · KJV

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. The Gospel's conclusion identifies its author and affirms its reliability. This is the disciple (οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μαθητὴς/houtos estin ho mathētēs) points to the beloved disciple of verses 20-23, now explicitly identified as the Gospel's author. The participles which testifieth (ὁ μαρτυρῶν/ho martyrōn) and wrote (ὁ γράψας/ho grapsas) distinguish between oral witness and written record—John both testified (present participle, ongoing witness) and wrote (aorist participle, completed action).

Of these things (περὶ τούτων/peri toutōn) refers to the Gospel's content—Jesus's signs, teachings, death, resurrection, post-resurrection appearances. The verb testifieth (μαρτυρῶν/martyrōn) is legal/courtroom language—John provides eyewitness testimony, not secondhand report or theological speculation. This claim runs throughout the Gospel: 'That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you' (1 John 1:1-3).

The plural we know (οἴδαμεν/oidamen) shifts from John's individual testimony to communal affirmation. Either John includes himself in editorial 'we,' or (more likely) the Ephesian church community adds their validation. We know expresses settled conviction, not mere opinion. That his testimony is true (ὅτι ἀληθὴς αὐτοῦ ἡ μαρτυρία ἐστίν/hoti alēthēs autou hē martyria estin)—the adjective true (ἀληθής/alēthēs) means genuine, reliable, corresponding to reality, not false or fabricated.

This verse functions as colophon—authenticating the document's source and reliability. In an era of competing Gospels and heretical writings, this affirmation mattered: the beloved disciple, intimate friend of Jesus, eyewitness of His entire ministry, wrote this. It's trustworthy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient documents often concluded with authentication formulas identifying authors and affirming accuracy. John's Gospel follows this pattern while making extraordinary claims—the author was Jesus's beloved disciple, eyewitness to all recorded events, bearer of unique intimacy with Jesus (leaning on His breast, receiving His mother's care at the cross).

Church fathers universally identify this author as John son of Zebedee. Irenaeus (AD 180), who knew Polycarp who knew John, writes: 'John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.' Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Eusebius affirm the same. By AD 95, when this Gospel was likely written, John was the last surviving apostle, his testimony precious and unique.

The phrase 'we know that his testimony is true' may reflect the Ephesian church's endorsement. Church tradition records John's decades-long ministry in Ephesus, where he trained leaders and combated early heresies (Gnosticism, Docetism). The Ephesian community knew John personally, tested his teaching, witnessed his character—their corporate 'we know' carries weight.

For John's readers facing heresy and persecution, this authentication mattered enormously. Against Gnostic claims of secret knowledge, John's Gospel presents eyewitness testimony to the incarnate Word. Against Docetic denials of Jesus's real humanity, John affirms 'the Word was made flesh' (1:14). The beloved disciple's testimony settles these controversies with apostolic authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does eyewitness testimony (John's 'I saw, heard, touched') provide foundation for Christian faith in an age of skepticism?
  2. Why is it significant that John emphasizes both his personal testimony ('the disciple which testifieth') and communal affirmation ('we know')?
  3. In what ways does John's intimate relationship with Jesus (beloved disciple, leaning on His breast) uniquely qualify him to write this Gospel's profound theological insights?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
Οὗτός1 of 19

“This”

G3778

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

ἐστίν2 of 19

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἡ3 of 19

“which”

G3588

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

μαθητὴς4 of 19

“the disciple”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

ἡ5 of 19

“which”

G3588

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

μαρτυρῶν6 of 19

“testifieth”

G3140

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

περὶ7 of 19

“of”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τούτων8 of 19

“these things”

G5130

of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)

καὶ9 of 19

“and”

G2532

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

γράψας10 of 19

“wrote”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ταῦτα11 of 19

“these things”

G5023

these things

καὶ12 of 19

“and”

G2532

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

οἴδαμεν13 of 19

“we know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι14 of 19

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἀληθὴς15 of 19

“true”

G227

true (as not concealing)

ἐστίν16 of 19

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἡ17 of 19

“which”

G3588

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

μαρτυρία18 of 19

“testimony”

G3141

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

αὐτοῦ19 of 19

“his”

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

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 21:24 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 21:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 19:35John 15:273 John 1:121 John 1:1-21 John 5:6

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