Can you offer a logical interpretation?

Question

"Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, he shall not die; but if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?"

In your view, what exactly does this mean?

Answer 1

Christ comes to each of us in our own way, giving us different gifts that suit our personality and purpose in creation.

We need not be envious of the difference in the gifts, we need to appreciate the gifts we ourselves are given.

"what is that to thee?" (if I give this person one gift and you another?)

PS: God speaks all languages including the language of the Heart. I have spent years studying different translations, learning Greek and Hebrew. It was all vanity. There is only one source of understanding of the scripture, that is the Holy Spirit.

Without the Holy Spirit you cannot understand scripture no matter how much you study. With the Holy Spirit you understand scripture because it is written in your heart.

PPS: John 21:23. I cannot believe there are so many people who do not know the scripture trying to answer a question about scripture.

Answer 2

They're speaking of John. (V. 22)

John chapter 21

22, 23. Jesus saith to him, If I will that he tarry fill I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me--From the fact that John alone of the Twelve survived the destruction of Jerusalem, and so witnessed the commencement of that series of events which belongs to "the last days," many good interpreters think that this is a virtual prediction of fact, and not a mere supposition. But this is very doubtful, and it seems more natural to consider our Lord as intending to give no positive indication of John's fate at all, but to signify that this was a matter which belonged to the Master of both, who would disclose or conceal it as He thought proper, and that Peter's part was to mind his own affairs. Accordingly, in "follow thou Me," the word "thou" is emphatic. Observe the absolute disposal of human life which Christ claims: "If I will that he tarry till I come,"

23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die--into which they the more easily fell from the prevalent expectation that Christ's second coming was then near at hand.
yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die--The Evangelist is jealous for His Master's honor, which his death might be thought to compromise if such a misunderstanding should not be corrected.

Answer 3

It means that Peter was looking at John after Jesus had revealed to him that he (Peter) would die a martyrs death and asking Jesus "what about him?".

Jesus was telling Peter not to worry about what was going to happen to other people. Instead he should carry out the role that Jesus had for him to play. Afterw that time people took the words of Jesus to mean that John wasn't going to die before Jesus came back but John explains that Jesus didn't really say that. The point Jesus was trying to make to Peter was that each person should be concerned with what God would have them to do in this life and to not worry about what God has planned for another person.

Answer 4

As you can see in the narrative, Jesus is having a conversation with Peter. John is the one walking behind them. Jesus has risen from the grave while Peter and the others have gone back to being fishermen. Peter had denied that he even knew Jesus when push came to shove. Jesus has given Peter the opportunity to return to Him. Peter denied Jesus 3 times, Jesus asked Peter 3 times "Do you love me?". Peter, responds in the affirmative and then points back to John and asks "What about him?" meaning, "Are you going to include him in all this?"

Jesus response as you have posted is basically, "Don't worry about him, we're talking about you now. If I choose to let him live until I return, what does that have to do with our relationship?". The story began to be circulated that John would never die. The traditonal story of how John kept surviving various forms of execution helped to spur this idea for a long time. Peace:)

Answer 5

Peter, having been informed about God’s plan for his life, naturally wondered what the future held for his friend John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Jesus sharply rebuked Peter for being curious about God’s will for another’s life: What is that to you? You must follow Me. Some disciples can be easily distracted by unnecessary questions about God’s secret will; as a result they neglect God’s plainly revealed will. God’s plans for Christians vary and His reasons are not often made known. Peter was to commit himself to God’s plain commands to him.
John then corrected a faulty inference made by some believers that John would not die. Interestingly Jesus’ last words recorded by John in this Gospel refer to His return. Of course, Jesus gave no indication when He would return. The false rumor about Jesus’ words to Peter show the possibility of misunderstanding God’s promises. Christians must seek to understand God’s Word accurately.
—Bible Knowledge Commentary

Answer 6

John 21:20 Upon turning about Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus used to love following, the one who at the evening meal had also leaned back upon his breast and said: “Lord, who is the one betraying you?” 21 Accordingly, when he caught sight of him, Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this [man do]?” 22 Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” 23 In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?”

Does this clarify it for you?

Answer 7

Jesus was talking about the Apostle John.
Simply saying he would live to a ripe old age.
John did live to a ripe old age.
He lived until Jesus came and gave him the vision of the Revelation.
BTW please do not limit yourself to the KJV.
Its an OK Bible but we don't talk like that anymore, plus language changes.
May I humbly suggest you procure a variety of translations.
The CEV and the NEB are quite helpful.

Answer 8

Give us the book and verses, unless you made it up.

Answer 9

Postshift is brilliant!

Best answer possible!

Answer 10

judas, is that him? i had read "The Devil's Auction", they made a great story regarding that passage.. unfortunately i dont know the answer to your question sorry....