“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.”– John 21:22 (KJV)
“Jesus replied, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”– John 21:22 (NLT)
“Jesus said, If I want him to stay here until I come again, what’s that to you? You follow me.”– John 21:22 (MSG)
What Does John 21:22 Mean?
John 21:22 is a powerful statement from Jesus that illustrates the essence of following Him without being distracted by the paths others take. After His resurrection, Jesus had a conversation with Peter, who was curious about the fate of the disciple John. Peter appeared to want reassurance about his own calling and future, which is a sentiment that many of us can relate to. We often find ourselves comparing our journeys with those of our friends, family, or even strangers. In this passage, Jesus emphasizes that rather than worrying about the destinies of others, we should focus on our own relationship with Him and follow Him wholeheartedly.
This verse invites us to direct our attention away from what others may or may not be doing, pushing us to recognize that each person’s walk with Christ is unique. Jesus’ response to Peter clarifies that it is not his concern what happens to John. The message is straightforward: we need to focus on our own path in following Christ, trusting that He has a personal plan for each of us. Often, we can feel pressured to chase after others or to mirror their experiences. However, Jesus points out that our calling is distinct and special, demanding our personal commitment and attention.
John 21:22 Explanation and Commentary
When we examine John 21:22 in context, we notice how Jesus addresses Peter’s curiosity not just about John’s future but also about his own. After Peter declares his devotion to Jesus, he cannot help but wonder how others, particularly John, will fare in their discipleship. Jesus’ gentle but firm response is a wake-up call for Peter and for us. He essentially says, “What does it matter to you?” This rhetorical question implies that Peter should not concern himself with the path or mission of John, as each disciple has their own role in God’s kingdom.
This passage reflects the heart of discipleship. As followers of Christ, our primary responsibility is to pursue Him and to live out our calling, trusting Him with our future. The world encourages comparison, which often leads us to discontent. In contrast, Jesus invites us to find peace by trusting in Him and focusing on our own journey. Jesus’ words challenge us to let go of envy, jealousy, and worry about others’ callings. Instead, we are called to be obedient to the unique plans God has for us. This requires faith, commitment, and trust in the One who knows our paths best.
Just like Peter, we can easily slip into the trap of distraction. Our attention shifts to what others are doing, and we start measuring our walk with God against theirs. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy or frustration. Jesus gently reminds us that this is not the way to live. We should place our trust in Him and keep our eyes on Him. When we focus on following Jesus, we find our true purpose and fulfillment.
Context of John 21:22
Understanding the context of John 21:22 enhances our grasp of its meaning. This verse comes at the end of the Gospel of John, shortly after Jesus had resurrected. The preceding verses show Jesus reinstating Peter after Peter’s denial. This reinstatement is deeply significant as it demonstrates Jesus’ forgiveness and His desire for Peter to fulfill his calling, which was to shepherd and feed His sheep. The conversation reveals Peter’s relationship with Jesus and the importance of each disciple’s commitment to following Jesus.
After Jesus had restored Peter, there was a moment of misunderstanding and miscommunication, leading Peter to question Jesus about John. This reveals human nature; we are often curious about others’ pathways, wanting reassurance and desires to fit in or compare. Jesus’ response clarifies that concern for others should not overshadow our commitment to Him. He effectively reminds Peter—and us—that our focus should solely be on following Him. Each one of us is on a personal journey with God that requires our undivided attention.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 21:22
Breaking down John 21:22 can help us discover its key components and lessons. The core message conveyed by Jesus stems from a few critical phrases. The first part, “If I will,” indicates His sovereignty and control over all things, including the destinies of His disciples. This assertion serves as a reminder that God has a divine purpose and plan for each of us that may not always make sense or align with our expectations.
The next significant phrase is, “What is that to thee?” Here, Jesus challenges Peter’s curiosity and reminds him of the futility in worrying about someone else’s path. This is a wake-up call that invites Peter—and all of us—to maintain our focus on Jesus rather than the comparisons that can lead us astray. It teaches a valuable lesson in prioritizing our relationship with God over our perceptions of others’ journeys.
The final part comes with the directive, “follow thou me.” This is an invitation and command wrapped in love. Jesus asks Peter to follow Him without reservation or distraction. The action of following implies movement, growth, and reliance on Him. Our walk with Christ is active—it involves learning, growing, and serving. By following Jesus alone, we embrace His path for us and find fulfillment in our discipleship.
Lessons to Learn From John 21:22
As we reflect on the lessons embedded in John 21:22, it becomes clear that this passage is an essential reminder for each of us. We live in a world where comparisons are rampant, and social media exacerbates this tendency. However, Jesus calls us back to the essence of discipleship—to stay focused on Him. One of the first lessons we can learn is to embrace our uniqueness. God has a specific plan for each of us, and it is okay if our paths look different from others’. Each of us is called to fulfill our destinies in accordance with His will.
Furthermore, we learn the importance of staying in our lanes. As we are reminded through this passage, our primary goal is to follow Jesus and not to compare ourselves with those around us. Engaging with the unique plans that God has for us allows us to develop our gifts and grow closer to Him. Looking around can often lead to feelings of envy and discontentment, but recognizing our calling helps us to celebrate the journeys of others without losing sight of our own.
Another vital takeaway is the value of obedience. Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is an invitation to surrender. To actively choose to follow Christ means to trust Him in our daily lives, listen to His voice, and obey His commands. This element of obedience leads to growth and transformation, allowing us to be Christ-like in our thoughts, actions, and intentions.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, John 21:22 serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of focusing on our individual relationship with Christ. We are not called to worry about how others are walking their paths. Instead, we are invited to trust Jesus, engage in our unique journey with Him, and grow in our faith. Let us encourage one another in our walks without comparison, embracing the beauty of our unique callings.
As we wrap up our reflection on this verse, we encourage you to explore more about what the Bible teaches us on related topics such as John 7:13 and Numbers 13:23. Each scripture holds its lessons and stories that deepen our understanding of God’s word and the lessons He intends for us to learn.