Johannes 21:21

21 Da Petrus diesen sah, spricht er zu Jesus: HERR, was soll aber dieser?

Johannes 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.

Johannes 21:21 In-Context

19 Das sagte er aber, zu deuten, mit welchem Tode er Gott preisen würde. Und da er das gesagt, spricht er zu ihm: Folge mir nach!

20 Petrus aber wandte sich um und sah den Jünger folgen, welchen Jesus liebhatte, der auch an seiner Brust beim Abendessen gelegen war und gesagt hatte: HERR, wer ist's, der dich verrät?

21 Da Petrus diesen sah, spricht er zu Jesus: HERR, was soll aber dieser?

22 Jesus spricht zu ihm: So ich will, daß er bleibe, bis ich komme, was geht es dich an? Folge du mir nach!

23 Da ging eine Rede aus unter den Brüdern: Dieser Jünger stirbt nicht. Und Jesus sprach nicht zu ihm: "Er stirbt nicht", sondern: "So ich will, daß er bleibe, bis ich komme, was geht es dich an?"