John 21:24

A Concluding Word of Testimony

24 This is the disciple who is testifying about these [things], and who has written down these [things]. And we know that his testimony is true.

John 21:24 Meaning and Commentary

John 21:24

This is the disciple which testifieth of these things
Recorded in this chapter concerning the appearance of Christ to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias, and what were done by him in their presence, what passed between them; particularly the conversation he had with Peter, both concerning himself, and the disciple John: and also, of all things that are written in this whole Gospel. These are testified to be true by this very disciple John, concerning whom the above report went upon a mistaken sense of Christ's words, and who himself

wrote these things;
all that is contained in this book, as well as the particulars relating to this conversation of Christ with Peter:

and we know that his testimony is true.
The testimony of one that was an eye and ear-witness, as John was, of all that he testified and wrote, must be known, owned, and allowed by all to be true, firm, and unquestionable; and therefore the apostle speaks in the plural number, as being not only his own sense, but the sense of all men. Though some take this to be the attestation of the Ephesian church, or of the bishops of the Asiatic churches, who put John upon writing this Gospel; of which they give their judgment and testimony, as believing it to be a true and faithful narrative.

John 21:24 In-Context

22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you? You follow me!"
23 So this saying went out to the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you?"
24 This is the disciple who is testifying about these [things], and who has written down these [things]. And we know that his testimony is true.
25 Now there are also many other [things] that Jesus did, which--if they were written down one after the other--I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.