Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

JOHN 21:22KJV
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John 21:22 (KJV)

What does John 21:22 mean?

In John 21:22, Jesus tells Peter that the future of another disciple is not Peter’s concern. Jesus directs Peter back to his own task: following him. Jesus speaks about the other disciple’s future as a possibility, not as a prediction.

Peter has just asked Jesus about the disciple described as the one Jesus loved. Jesus answers with a question: “what is that to thee?” The question sets the other disciple’s future alongside the direct instruction, “follow thou me.”

The Greek behind John 21:22

  • “tarry” — μένω (menō): The word carries the sense of remaining or staying. Here it describes the possibility that the other disciple would remain until Jesus came.
  • “follow” — ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō): The word means to follow or go after someone. In this verse, Jesus uses it as a direct command to Peter, not as a description of what the other disciple will do.

Why John 21:22 matters

  • Jesus’ words did not promise that the other disciple would never die. John 21:23 reports that such a story spread, then points back to Jesus’ actual words: “If I will that he tarry till I come.”
  • The exchange distinguishes Peter’s question from Jesus’ answer. Peter asks, “what shall this man do?” in verse 21, while Jesus speaks directly to Peter about following him.

Where else these words appear

“follow” Greek G190 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
  • Mark 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
  • John 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

“tarry” Greek G3306 · used in 105 verses

  • Matthew 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
  • John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

“till” Greek G2193 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
  • Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
  • John 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.