John 21:22
Sharing this scripture today as a follow up to the recent post – Envy
Please take a moment to read chapter 21 of the gospel of John. After reading the chapter go back to look at verses 21 and 22.
Here is a link to the chapter on the Blue Letter Bible website → John 21 If you take some time to explore the website, you will discover many tools to help you in your study of the Bible. The page I’ve linked to is the chapter in the KJV because it is the easiest place to start for accessing the tools. However, at the top of the page, you will see where you can easily choose another Bible translation.
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 said to him, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me. NKJV
Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me! – AMPC
If I want him to remain until I come, Jesus answered, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me. -HCSB
If it is my wish, returned Jesus, for him to stay until I come, is that your business, Peter? You must follow me. – J.B. Phillips
If you have read the chapter, you see that Jesus is speaking in response to Peter’s curiosity about John’s future. I don’t know about you, but I can easily follow Peter’s thinking that led him to ask about John in this chapter. I have often found myself wondering about other people’s situations and life story. This is especially likely to happen when things appear to be unfair. This is also the place where wondering and seemingly innocent questions quickly lead to comparison and envy.
John 21 contains the answer for when our focus shifts from following Jesus to wondering about what is going on with other people.
Interesting that this is the last time Jesus speaks in the gospel of John.
