John 21:24-25
This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The "we know" here isn't just a generic statement of fact; it's a collective endorsement, implying that not only John's eyewitness testimony was trustworthy, but that this truth was recognized and affirmed by his community. This suggests the Gospel wasn't just a personal account, but a cherished and validated piece of shared truth within the early church.
This verse serves as a concluding affirmation for the Gospel of John, specifically following the account of Jesus' appearance by the Sea of Tiberias and his conversation with Peter. It points back to the disciple Jesus loved, identifying him as the one who witnessed and recorded these events, and assures the reader of the truthfulness of his testimony, reinforcing the Gospel's overall reliability.
How do we know the words we read in the Bible are true? This verse offers a powerful, communal affirmation at the very end of the Gospel of John.
A Witness's Lasting Impact
John 21:24 serves as a closing endorsement, not just for the final chapter, but for the entire Gospel. It identifies the author as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" – the one who bore witness and wrote these accounts.
A Twofold Testimony:
The use of "we know" suggests a community's shared conviction. It’s as if the early church, familiar with the disciple and his writings, adds their collective voice, affirming the truthfulness of his account. This isn't just one person's claim; it's a divinely sanctioned, communal guarantee.
Who is the 'we' at the end of John's Gospel? Understanding this plural voice reveals a profound truth about how Scripture's authority is established.
Beyond the Lone Author
The phrase "we know" is fascinating. While John often spoke in the singular ("I know," "he knows"), this plural suggests a broader perspective.
Possible Interpretations of the "We":
Understand the original words
martyrōn · Greek Verb/Participle
The act of testifying to the truth of what has been seen or heard; in a biblical context, it refers to the authoritative declaration of the gospel and the works of Christ.
martyria · Greek Noun
A declaration or evidence provided to establish the truth of a matter; in Scripture, this often refers to the divinely authorized testimony concerning Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
alēthēs · Greek Adjective
That which conforms to reality and the character of God; in the Bible, it is absolute, objective, and anchored in the person and revelation of Jesus Christ.
The concluding verses of John's Gospel (21:24-25) likely represent an affirmation added either by John himself or by his close followers. This was to underscore the authenticity and truthfulness of his testimony, especially as the Gospel was being finalized and disseminated in the late 1st century AD.
c. AD 90-100— this verse
The Apostle John's Later Years in Ephesus
The Apostle John, the 'disciple whom Jesus loved,' is traditionally believed to have spent his final years in Ephesus. During this period, he is thought to have written his Gospel, epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
c. AD 95-100
Completion of John's Gospel
The Gospel of John, as we know it, is believed to have been finalized during this time. The concluding verses of chapter 21 likely represent a later addition or endorsement.
Early 2nd Century AD
Early Church Fathers' Testimonies
Figures like Irenaeus and Polycarp, who were disciples of John or his immediate followers, begin to cite and allude to John's Gospel, confirming its circulation and acceptance within the early church.
This verse also directly vouches for the truth of testimony, stating 'He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true.' It echoes the sentiment of John 21:24 about the reliability of eyewitness accounts, specifically from the disciple Jesus loved.
1 John 5:13This passage speaks directly to the purpose of the writing: 'I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.' It connects the act of writing to the assurance of truth and salvation, mirroring the confidence expressed in John 21:24.
2 Peter 1:16Peter emphasizes the certainty of the Gospel message, stating, 'For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.' This parallels John 21:24's assertion of true testimony based on direct experience.
3 John 1:12This brief letter echoes the 'we know' aspect, saying, 'We also must bear witness.' It highlights the communal affirmation of truth and the reliability of apostolic teaching, which aligns with the collective certainty expressed in John 21:24 about the disciple's testimony.
vincentJohn 21:24: "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true."
Many interpreters think that these two verses were written by some other hand than John's. Some ascribe John 21:24 and John 21:25 to two different writers. The entire chapter, though bearing unmistakable marks of John's authorship in its style and language, was probably composed subsequently to the completion of the Gospel.
meyerJohn 21:24: "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true."
John 21:24 . Conclusion by John to this his supplement, John 21:1-23 , which he makes known as his work, and the contents of which he maintains to be true . To his book he had given the conclusion, John 20:31 ; all the less should the apostolic legitimation be wanting to the appendix added by him at a later time. περὶ τούτων and ταῦτα refer to the supplementary na…
The "we know" here isn't just a generic statement of fact; it's a collective endorsement, implying that not only John's eyewitness testimony was trustworthy, but that this truth was recognized and affirmed by his community. This suggests the Gospel wasn't just a personal account, but a cherished and validated piece of shared truth within the early church.
This verse serves as a concluding affirmation for the Gospel of John, specifically following the account of Jesus' appearance by the Sea of Tiberias and his conversation with Peter. It points back to the disciple Jesus loved, identifying him as the one who witnessed and recorded these events, and assures the reader of the truthfulness of his testimony, reinforcing the Gospel's overall reliability.
This verse serves as a concluding affirmation for the Gospel of John, specifically following the account of Jesus' appearance by the Sea of Tiberias and his conversation with Peter. It points back to the disciple Jesus loved, identifying him as the one who witnessed and recorded these events, and assures the reader of the truthfulness of his testimony, reinforcing the Gospel's overall reliability.
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Regardless of the exact individuals, the "we" signifies that the truth of John's Gospel wasn't just an isolated claim. It was validated by those who knew the author and the events he described, lending an external, authoritative confirmation to the written word.
Why add to an already completed Gospel? This verse frames the final chapter as both a continuation and a final, powerful confirmation.
More Than Just an Appendix
The scholarly context highlights that John 21:1-25 is often seen as a later addition to the Gospel, a kind of "supplement." This final verse, however, connects this supplement back to the core message and the author's identity.
Bridging the Narrative:
This isn't just an afterthought; it's a deliberate act to reaffirm the truth of everything John recorded, ensuring that even the additional stories serve the same purpose: to lead readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31).
"This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose…" — The "we know" here isn't just a generic statement of fact; it's a collective endorsement, implying that not only John's eyewitness testimony was trustworthy, but that this truth was recognized and af…
