NOTES for Joh 21:21-22
On hearing about his coming death as a martyr, Peter immediately asks Christ about John the Evangelist. As a future shepherd concerned for the fate of those entrusted to him, the foremost apostle is anxious about the young disciple's future. Yet in these words one can see not only care and concern, but simple curiosity as well. Peter wants to look into the future and find out whether Jesus foretells a violent death for all His followers. The Lord answers him rather sharply: “What is that to you?” And He immediately adds: “You follow Me.”
At times we dearly want the path and heart of our neighbor to be laid open before us, so that we might be shown the hidden things taking place between that person and God. And it is not always curiosity that drives us; often it is our human concern and compassion. But Christ calls each person to follow Him, expecting complete trust from us. For we can follow Jesus only if we bring to Him those whom we carry in our hearts.