NOTES for Joh 21:20-25

It is interesting that Peter and John are in some way especially connected through certain Gospel events. In today's passage we see the same straightforward Peter, who does not delay with questions and does not hide his thoughts. It is quite possible that all the disciples had a caring attitude toward John as the youngest. Here that care is shown in a direct question about the future fate of the "younger brother": "Lord, what about this man?" (John 21:21). And here we remember John's own question about who would betray Jesus, since it was asked at Peter's request. See John 13:23-25)…

And what do we hear in response? "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?" (John 21:22). The Lord gives an answer, though perhaps with a slight rebuke to Peter's curiosity. And people immediately try to interpret this answer in order to understand exactly what Jesus meant.

Such is our human problem: "I want to know everything" and understand everything, often regardless of whether it concerns us at all. How often one encounters heightened interest in horoscopes, dream interpretation, and predictions of the future. The same also includes the stubborn desire to interpret every word of the Book of Revelation... But John himself emphasizes that Jesus said nothing more than these few words. And it is not always necessary to tear the thin veil from something whose time has not yet come...