20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved(A) was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)(B) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,(C) what is that to you? You must follow me.”(D) 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers(E) that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

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Peter and the Disciple Jesus Loved

20 Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them.[a] (This was the disciple[b] who had leaned back against Jesus’[c] chest at the meal and asked,[d] “Lord, who is the one who is going to betray you?”)[e] 21 So when Peter saw him,[f] he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus replied,[g] “If I want him to live[h] until I come back,[i] what concern is that of yours? You follow me!” 23 So the saying circulated[j] among the brothers and sisters[k] that this disciple was not going to die. But Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but rather, “If I want him to live[l] until I come back,[m] what concern is that of yours?”

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Footnotes

  1. John 21:20 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  2. John 21:20 tn The words “This was the disciple” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied for clarity.
  3. John 21:20 tn Grk “his”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  4. John 21:20 tn Grk “and said.”
  5. John 21:20 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.
  6. John 21:21 tn Grk “saw this one.”
  7. John 21:22 tn Grk “Jesus said to him.”
  8. John 21:22 tn Grk “to stay” or “to remain,” but since longevity is the issue in the context, “to live” conveys the idea more clearly.
  9. John 21:22 tn The word “back” is supplied to clarify the meaning.
  10. John 21:23 tn Grk “went out.”
  11. John 21:23 tn Grk “the brothers,” but here the term refers to more than just the immediate disciples of Jesus (as it does in 20:17). Here, as R. E. Brown notes (John [AB], 2:1110), it refers to Christians of the Johannine community (which would include both men and women).
  12. John 21:23 tn Grk “to stay” or “to remain,” but since longevity is the issue in the context, “to live” conveys the idea more clearly.
  13. John 21:23 tn The word “back” is supplied to clarify the meaning.