In John 21-22, a powerful moment unfolds where Jesus addresses Peter’s curiosity about John’s future, offering profound lessons on discipleship. After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, leading them to a miraculous catch of fish, mirroring an earlier event in His ministry. This interaction leads to Jesus’ tender conversation with Peter, where He restores him by asking three times if Peter loves Him, paralleling Peter’s three denials. Jesus commissions Peter to shepherd His flock and shares a prophecy about Peter’s eventual martyrdom, underscoring the cost of following Him.
When Peter questions Jesus about John’s fate, Jesus responds with a clear message: “What is that to you? You must follow me.” This highlights the unique paths each believer must take in their relationship with Christ. It serves as a reminder to avoid comparisons, trust God’s individual plans for our lives, and stay focused on our own journey with Him. The passage also clarifies that John’s future is not to be misunderstood. These teachings encourage believers to follow Jesus faithfully and embrace their personal discipleship journey. To explore the deeper meaning behind these interactions and their relevance to our walk with Christ, keep reading.
The Gospel of John, one of the most profound books in the New Testament, offers deep insights into the life and teachings of Jesus. In John 21-22, there’s a specific interaction between Jesus and His disciples that stands out, particularly concerning John, also known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. This passage is rich with meaning and provides valuable lessons for believers today.
The Setting: Post-Resurrection Appearances
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times. John 21 describes one of these appearances by the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had been fishing all night without success. At dawn, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t recognize Him. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” They answered, “No.”
Jesus then told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you’ll find some.” They did, and they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish (John 21:6). This miracle mirrored a similar event at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, reinforcing His divine nature and reminding the disciples of His power.
Jesus and Peter: A Conversation About Love and Duty
After sharing a meal with His disciples, Jesus had a poignant conversation with Peter. Three times, He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus responded with a command: “Feed my lambs,” “Take care of my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). This thrice-repeated question and command were significant, echoing Peter’s three denials of Jesus before the crucifixion and symbolizing his restoration and commissioning.
The Prophecy About Peter’s Future
Jesus then told Peter about his future, indicating the kind of death by which he would glorify God. He said, “When you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you’re old you’ll stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18). This was a prophecy of Peter’s martyrdom, a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship.
Peter’s Question About John
After hearing about his own fate, Peter turned and saw John following them. He asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21). Peter’s question reflected a natural human curiosity about the futures of others, especially those close to us. It’s easy to understand Peter’s concern, as John was a fellow disciple and dear friend.
Jesus’ Response: Focus on Your Own Path
Jesus’ reply to Peter was direct and thought-provoking: “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:22). This response emphasized an essential principle of Christian discipleship: the need to focus on our own walk with Christ rather than being preoccupied with others’ journeys.
The Misunderstanding About John’s Fate
Jesus’ words led to a misunderstanding among the early believers. They thought Jesus meant that John would not die. However, John clarifies this in his Gospel, stating that Jesus did not say he wouldn’t die, but only, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (John 21:23). This clarification underscores the importance of understanding Jesus’ words accurately and not jumping to conclusions.
Lessons from Jesus’ Words About John
1. Individual Paths of Discipleship
Jesus’ interaction with Peter and John teaches us that each believer has a unique path. While Peter’s journey involved martyrdom, John’s path was different. We’re called to follow Jesus faithfully, trusting Him with our personal journey, regardless of how it compares to others’.
2. Avoiding Comparisons
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives and callings to those of others. Jesus’ message to Peter was clear: focus on your relationship with Me. Comparisons can lead to envy, distraction, and discouragement. Instead, we should celebrate the diverse ways God works in each believer’s life.
3. Trusting Jesus’ Plan
Jesus’ words remind us to trust His plan for our lives. He knows what’s best for each of us and orchestrates our paths according to His wisdom and love. Whether we face challenges or blessings, we can trust that God’s plan is perfect.
The Beloved Disciple’s Role
John, referred to as the beloved disciple, played a crucial role in the early church. He’s traditionally believed to have authored the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. His writings provide deep theological insights and emphasize themes of love, light, and eternal life.
Conclusion: Following Jesus Faithfully
In John 21-22, Jesus’ words about John and His conversation with Peter offer timeless lessons for believers. We’re reminded to follow Jesus faithfully, focus on our own journey, avoid comparisons, and trust His unique plan for our lives. As we reflect on these teachings, let’s commit to deepening our relationship with Christ and walking the path He’s set before us with faith and obedience.
FAQs About Jesus’ Words Concerning John in John 21-22
1. What is the context of John 21-22?
John 21-22 describes one of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. It includes a miraculous catch of fish, a significant conversation between Jesus and Peter, and a discussion about John, the beloved disciple.
2. What miracle did Jesus perform in John 21?
Jesus instructed His disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous catch of fish after they had fished all night without success.
3. What did Jesus ask Peter three times, and why?
Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus responded with a command: “Feed my lambs,” “Take care of my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” This thrice-repeated question and command restored Peter after his three denials of Jesus before the crucifixion.
4. What prophecy did Jesus give Peter about his future?
Jesus told Peter that when he was old, he would stretch out his hands and be led where he did not want to go, indicating the manner of his death, which would glorify God. This prophecy foreshadowed Peter’s martyrdom.
5. What question did Peter ask about John, and how did Jesus respond?
Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” referring to John. Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” This response emphasized that Peter should focus on his own path with Jesus.
6. Did Jesus say that John would not die?
No, Jesus did not say John would not die. He said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This led to a misunderstanding among the early believers, which John clarified in his Gospel.
7. What lessons can we learn from Jesus’ words about John?
We learn the importance of focusing on our own walk with Christ, avoiding comparisons with others, and trusting Jesus’ unique plan for each of us. Jesus’ message encourages us to follow Him faithfully regardless of the paths others may take.
8. Why is John referred to as the beloved disciple?
John is called the beloved disciple because of the close relationship he had with Jesus. This designation highlights the special bond and the love Jesus had for John, which is evident in the Gospel of John.
9. What role did John play in the early church?
John is traditionally believed to have authored the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. His writings provide deep theological insights and emphasize themes of love, light, and eternal life.
10. How can we apply the teachings of John 21-22 to our lives today?
We can apply these teachings by focusing on our personal relationship with Jesus, avoiding the pitfalls of comparison, trusting God’s unique plan for us, and following Jesus with faith and obedience. These principles help us grow in our faith and navigate our spiritual journey effectively.
