John 21:21

21 So [when he] saw this one, Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, but what about this one?"

John 21:21 Meaning and Commentary

John 21:21

Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus
Peter took a great deal of notice of John, and very likely understood, that he meant by his rising up and following Christ, to signify his readiness for service and suffering in the cause of Christ: and therefore says,

Lord, and what shall this man do?
The phrase in the original is very short and concise, "Lord, and this what?" The Arabic version renders it, "and this, of what mind is he?" it looks as if he was of the same mind with me to follow thee; but it is better rendered by us, "what shall this man do?" in what work and service shall he be employed, who seems as willing as I am to serve thee? or it may be rendered thus, "and what shall this man suffer?" shall he suffer at all? and if he shall, what kind of death shall he undergo? what will become of him? what will be his end? how will it fare with him? this he said, partly out of curiosity, and partly out of concern for him, they two being associates and intimates, who had a strong affection for each other.

John 21:21 In-Context

19 (Now he said this to indicate by what kind of death he would glorify God.) And [after he] had said this, he said to him, "Follow me!"

20 Peter turned [and] saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following [them] (who also leaned back on his chest at the dinner and said, "Lord, who is the one betraying you?")

21 So [when he] saw this one, Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, but what about this one?"

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?"

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("saw") which is understood as temporal