Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't directly answer Peter's question about John's future; instead, He redirects Peter, emphasizing that John's longevity (or lack thereof) is God's business, not Peter's. The core message is a gentle rebuke against misplaced curiosity, calling Peter back to his own personal calling: "You follow Me!"
Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter has just been restored to his calling after denying Jesus, and is being told he will suffer and die. In his distress, he points to John and asks about his fate, showing a lingering desire to control or understand things beyond his own path. Jesus redirects Peter firmly, emphasizing that John's future is God's sovereign decision and not Peter's concern, calling Peter back to focus solely on his own personal commission to follow Him.
Why did Jesus answer Peter's question about John with a hypothetical, 'If I will...'? What does this phrase reveal about Jesus' authority?
Jesus asserts His supreme authority over life and destiny. When He says, 'If I will that he remain...', He's not just speculating; He's speaking from a place of divine sovereignty.
Peter was curious about John's future. Jesus' response was sharp: 'What is that to you? You follow me!' What was Jesus really rebuking?
Jesus redirects Peter from unhealthy curiosity about others to a faithful pursuit of his own calling. Peter's question, while perhaps stemming from love for John, was a distraction from his primary mission.
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Understand the original words
akolouthei · Greek Verb
The central act of a Christian's life, involving active obedience, imitation of Christ, and a continuous personal commitment to walk in His ways.
erchomai · Greek Verb
Refers to the second coming of Christ, the eschatological event when Jesus returns to judge the world and fully establish His kingdom.
This exchange highlights the intense focus on Jesus' return and the varied fates of his closest followers, urging Peter (and us) to prioritize personal faithfulness over speculative knowledge of others' destinies.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and then resurrected, appearing to his disciples over a period of 40 days.
c. AD 33
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving his disciples with the Great Commission and the promise of the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 64-68
Peter's Martyrdom
Tradition holds that the apostle Peter was crucified upside down in Rome during Nero's persecution.
c. AD 65-70— this verse
Jesus' Discussion with Peter
After his resurrection, Jesus speaks with Peter about his future, including his eventual death and John's potential to live longer.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, a catastrophic event for the Jewish people.
c. AD 95-100
John's Death in Ephesus
The apostle John, the last surviving apostle, dies of natural causes in Ephesus, Asia Minor.
Paul speaks of the tension between remaining to serve and desiring to be with Christ, mirroring the question about John's future and Jesus' redirecting Peter to his own path of service.
Romans 14:7-8This passage highlights that believers belong to the Lord, whether living or dying, which underscores Jesus' point that John's ultimate fate is under His authority, not Peter's concern.
1 Corinthians 15:23The discussion of Christ's coming and the resurrection of the dead in this chapter provides context for the disciples' understanding of 'when I come' and the future events Jesus alluded to.
John 14:2-3Jesus' promise to prepare a place for his followers and to come again to take them to himself relates directly to the idea of His 'coming' and the believer's ultimate destiny, which was the subject of Peter's inquiry.
cambridgeJohn 21:22: "Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."
22 . If I will ] Christ died and rose again that He might become the Lord and Master both of the dead and the living ( Romans 14:9 ). He speaks here in full consciousness of this sovereignty. For the use of ‘I will’ by Christ comp. John 17:24 ; Matthew 8:3 and parallels, Matthew 26:39 . While the ‘I will’ asserts the Divine authority, the ‘if’ keeps the decision secret. that he tarry ]…
clarkeJohn 21:22: "Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."
If I will that he tarry till I come - There are several opinions concerning this: the following are the principal. 1. Some have concluded from these words that John should never die. Many eminent men, ancients and moderns, have been and are of this opinion. 2. Others thought that our Lord intimated that John should live till Christ came to judge and destroy Jerusalem. On this opinion i…
Jesus doesn't directly answer Peter's question about John's future; instead, He redirects Peter, emphasizing that John's longevity (or lack thereof) is God's business, not Peter's. The core message is a gentle rebuke against misplaced curiosity, calling Peter back to his own personal calling: "You follow Me!"
Peter has just been restored to his calling after denying Jesus, and is being told he will suffer and die. In his distress, he points to John and asks about his fate, showing a lingering desire to control or understand things beyond his own path. Jesus redirects Peter firmly, emphasizing that John's future is God's sovereign decision and not Peter's concern, calling Peter back to focus solely on his own personal commission to follow Him.
Peter has just been restored to his calling after denying Jesus, and is being told he will suffer and die. In his distress, he points to John and asks about his fate, showing a lingering desire to control or understand things beyond his own path. Jesus redirects Peter firmly, emphasizing that John's future is God's sovereign decision and not Peter's concern, calling Peter back to focus solely on his own personal commission to follow Him.
"Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”" — Jesus doesn't directly answer Peter's question about John's future; instead, He redirects Peter, emphasizing that John's longevity (or lack thereof) is God's business, not Peter's. The core message i…
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Last reviewed October 2026