John 21:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yeshua said to him, “If I want him to stay on until I come, what is it to you? You, follow me!”

Berean Standard Bible:

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Jesus^{G2424} saith^{G3004} unto him^{G846}, If^{G1437} I will^{G2309} that he^{G846} tarry^{G3306} till^{G2193} I come^{G2064}, what^{G5101} is that to^{G4314} thee^{G4571}? follow^{G190} thou^{G4771} me^{G3427}.

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Commentary for John 21:22

John 21:22 is part of the final chapter of the Gospel of John, which is often considered an epilogue to the main narrative. This verse is situated within a conversation between Jesus and the Apostle Peter, following the resurrection and their encounter on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias, where Jesus famously reinstates Peter after his thrice denial during the Passion narrative.

In the verses leading up to John 21:22, Peter notices another disciple, traditionally understood to be John, the author of the Gospel, and inquires about his fate. Jesus's response to Peter is a gentle rebuke, emphasizing the importance of personal discipleship over curiosity about the destinies of others. The verse reflects a broader theme in Christianity: the call to focus on one's own journey of faith and obedience to Christ's teachings rather than comparing one's path to others.

The phrase "If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee?" underscores the sovereignty of Jesus over the lives of his followers, implying that each person has a unique role and timeline in God's divine plan. The command "follow thou me" encapsulates the essence of discipleship—a call to imitate Christ's life and teachings.

Historically, this verse has been interpreted in various ways, including discussions about the longevity of John and eschatological beliefs regarding the Second Coming of Christ. It has also been used to encourage believers to remain faithful to their own calling and not to be distracted by the paths or outcomes of others' lives. In essence, John 21:22 calls for personal commitment and trust in Jesus's guidance, regardless of one's circumstances or the fate of fellow believers.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2309
   There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θέλω
   Transliteration: thélō
   Pronunciation: eth-el-eh'-o
   Description: apparently strengthened from the alternate form of αἱρέομαι; to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas βούλομαι properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in:--desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).
   
6. Strong's Number: G3306
   There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μένω
   Transliteration: ménō
   Pronunciation: men'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2193
   There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕως
   Transliteration: héōs
   Pronunciation: heh'-oce
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).
   
8. Strong's Number: G2064
   There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔρχομαι
   Transliteration: érchomai
   Pronunciation: el'-tho
   Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4314
    There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρός
    Transliteration: prós
    Pronunciation: pros
    Description: a strengthened form of πρό; 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, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4571
    There are 179 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σέ
    Transliteration: sé
    Pronunciation: seh
    Description: accusative case singular of σύ; thee:--thee, thou, X thy house.
    
12. Strong's Number: G190
    There are 939 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀκολουθέω
    Transliteration: akolouthéō
    Pronunciation: ak-ol-oo-theh'-o
    Description: from Α (as a particle of union) and (a road); properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple):--follow, reach.
    
13. Strong's Number: G4771
    There are 163 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σύ
    Transliteration: sý
    Pronunciation: soo
    Description: the personal pronoun of the second person singular; thou:-- thou. See also σέ, σοί, σοῦ; and for the plural ὑμᾶς, ὑμεῖς, ὑμῖν, ὑμῶν.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3427
    There are 227 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μοί
    Transliteration: moí
    Pronunciation: moy
    Description: the simpler form of ἐμοί; to me:--I, me, mine, my.