JOHN 21:20–23
“WHAT ABOUT HIM?”: DISCIPLESHIP AND TRUST IN GOD’S PLAN
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – John 21:20–23
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined at his chest during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is the one who will betray you?”
21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”
23 So the word spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die, just, “What if I want him to remain until I come, what concern is it of yours?”
Historical and Jewish Context
In rabbinic discipleship, comparison among followers was common, especially regarding status, destiny, or authority. Early Christian communities speculated about the fate of key apostles, particularly as persecution increased. The beloved disciple held a unique place as eyewitness and theologian, leading to misunderstandings about his destiny. The Evangelist clarifies this to prevent false expectations regarding the Parousia.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage teaches personal vocation and trust in God’s plan. Catholic theology emphasizes that each disciple has a unique calling within the one Body of Christ. Comparison leads to distraction; fidelity requires focus on Christ alone. Jesus redirects Peter from curiosity about others to the essential call: “You follow me.” The passage also affirms that the Church’s hope rests not in speculation about end times but in faithful discipleship.
Parallels in Scripture
Numbers 11:28–29 – Different roles within God’s people.
Matthew 20:1–16 – God’s generosity beyond comparison.
Romans 12:4–8 – One body, many gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:4–7 – Diversity of vocations.
Hebrews 12:2 – Fixing our eyes on Jesus.
Key Terms
Beloved disciple – Faithful witness.
What about him? – Temptation to comparison.
You follow me – Personal call to discipleship.
Remain until I come – Misunderstood eschatology.
Concern of yours – Trust in God’s will.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This Gospel is proclaimed in the Easter season. The Church invites believers to embrace their own vocation and to trust God’s unique plan for each life within the communion of saints.
Conclusion
John 21:20–23 teaches that discipleship is not about comparison but fidelity. Jesus calls each believer to follow Him personally, trusting that God’s plan for others unfolds according to divine wisdom, not human curiosity.
Reflection
Do I compare my journey of faith with others?
How do I respond to Christ’s personal call to follow Him?
Am I content to trust God’s plan for my life and others?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, keep my heart fixed on You. Free me from comparison and curiosity that distract from faithfulness. Help me to follow You with trust, humility, and perseverance according to Your will. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
After restoring Peter and entrusting him with pastoral mission, Jesus turns his gaze back to the path of following. Peter, however, immediately looks toward the beloved disciple and asks, “What about him?” The question reveals a natural human tendency to compare callings and destinies. Even after forgiveness and commissioning, the heart can still be tempted to measure oneself against others rather than to focus on one’s own fidelity.
Jesus’ response gently redirects Peter’s attention. The disciple’s future is not to be assessed by comparison but by obedience. By refusing to satisfy curiosity about another’s path, Jesus teaches that discipleship is personal and relational. Each follower is called to walk with Christ in trust, accepting a vocation shaped by God’s wisdom rather than human calculation.
John 21:20 – “Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had reclined on his chest during the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’”
Interpretation
This verse introduces a moment of comparison and curiosity immediately after Peter’s personal call to costly discipleship. Having heard his own path revealed, Peter turns his attention to another disciple. The movement is subtle but telling: vocation clarified can still invite distraction.
“Peter turned” signals a physical and interior shift. The call “Follow me” has just been spoken, yet Peter looks sideways. Human nature often seeks reference points in others when faced with demanding truth.
“And saw the disciple whom Jesus loved reintroduces the beloved disciple, a figure marked not by authority but by intimacy. John does not name him; his identity is defined by relationship with Jesus.
“Following is significant. The beloved disciple is already walking behind Jesus. He follows quietly, without question or comparison. Discipleship is being lived, not analyzed.
“Whom Jesus loved emphasizes gratuitous grace. This disciple’s role is not grounded in office or commission, but in received love. The Church contains different forms of discipleship, each rooted in Christ’s love.
“The one who had reclined on his chest during the supper recalls intimacy and trust. This disciple leaned close to Jesus’ heart at the Last Supper. Memory of closeness now shapes present following.
“And had said, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ connects intimacy with truth-seeking. Love does not avoid difficult questions; it asks them from within communion.
Theologically, this verse teaches that discipleship takes different forms. Peter’s path is marked by leadership and martyrdom; the beloved disciple’s path is marked by intimacy and witness. Comparison is unnecessary and potentially distracting.
For believers, this verse gently warns against measuring our calling against others’. Each disciple is invited to follow Christ in a unique way.
Historical and Jewish Context
Teachers often had disciples follow them physically. John highlights following as both literal and symbolic, showing that discipleship continues after Resurrection in diverse expressions.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church recognizes diverse vocations within unity. Authority, contemplation, witness, and intimacy all serve the one mission of Christ, without rivalry (cf. CCC 873, 914).
Key Terms
Turned — temptation to comparison
Following — lived discipleship
Beloved — identity rooted in love
Reclined — intimacy and trust
Conclusion
John 21:20 shows how easily the heart turns from personal calling to comparison. Yet it also reminds us that following Christ takes different forms, each sustained by love.
Reflection
When Christ calls me forward, do I remain focused on Him—or do I turn to compare my path with others?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep my eyes fixed on You. When I am tempted to compare my calling with another’s, remind me that You lead each disciple by love. Grant me the grace to follow You faithfully in the path You have chosen for me. Amen.
John 21:21 – “So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’”
Interpretation
This verse exposes the human impulse to compare callings. Having just heard the cost of his own discipleship, Peter turns outward, seeking clarification about another’s path. The question is simple, but it reveals a restless heart still adjusting to surrender.
“So Peter seeing him shows that attention has shifted. Instead of absorbing the call given to him, Peter’s gaze moves toward another disciple. Discipleship becomes momentarily comparative rather than personal.
“Said to Jesus indicates that Peter brings his concern directly to the Lord. The question is not whispered in resentment; it is asked openly. Curiosity is placed before Christ, awaiting correction.
“‘Lord, what about him?’ is brief and direct. It expresses concern, comparison, and perhaps relief-seeking. If Peter’s path is costly, might another’s be easier? The question reveals how naturally the human heart seeks balance and fairness.
Theologically, this verse teaches that comparison is a subtle temptation within discipleship. Even forgiven and commissioned apostles can struggle to accept that God’s call differs from person to person.
For believers, this verse mirrors our own questions. When obedience becomes demanding, we often look to others and ask why their path seems different.
Historical and Jewish Context
Disciples often observed one another’s roles closely within rabbinic circles. Peter’s question reflects a common concern about relative responsibility and destiny.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that vocations differ according to God’s wisdom, not human comparison. Each call is tailored for sanctification and service, and none is measured against another (cf. CCC 873, 914).
Key Terms
Seeing — shifting focus
What about him — comparison
Lord — appeal to authority
Peter — disciple still learning surrender
Conclusion
John 21:21 reveals how easily attention can drift from personal obedience to comparison. The question prepares the way for Jesus’ decisive correction and final teaching on discipleship.
Reflection
When my path becomes difficult, do I trust Christ’s call for me—or do I measure it against the lives of others?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, free my heart from comparison and envy. Teach me to trust that Your call for my life is shaped by love and wisdom. Help me to follow You faithfully without measuring my journey against another’s. Amen.
John 21:22 – “Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what concern is it of yours? You follow me.’”
Interpretation
This verse contains Jesus’ decisive correction and final personal command. Comparison is gently but firmly set aside, and discipleship is brought back to its proper center: exclusive attention to Christ Himself.
“Jesus said to him” shows authoritative clarity. The Lord responds directly, not evasively. Love sometimes corrects firmly to preserve freedom and fidelity.
“‘If I want him to remain until I come’ introduces divine sovereignty. The future of each disciple lies entirely in Christ’s will. Longevity, suffering, mission, and destiny are not distributed by fairness as humans measure it, but by divine wisdom.
“‘What concern is it of yours?’ is not harsh, but liberating. Jesus frees Peter from the burden of comparison. Another disciple’s path is not Peter’s responsibility. Curiosity that distracts from obedience must be relinquished.
“‘You follow me’ returns to the essential call. The command is singular, personal, and sufficient. Peter is not asked to manage others’ vocations, only to remain faithful to his own. Discipleship is not comparative—it is relational.
Theologically, this verse teaches that true discipleship requires undivided attention. Looking sideways weakens obedience. Following Christ demands focus, trust, and acceptance of one’s unique path.
For believers, this verse speaks powerfully. Christ does not ask us to understand everyone else’s journey. He asks us to follow Him faithfully in the one entrusted to us.
Historical and Jewish Context
Rabbinic disciples often wondered about rank and destiny. Jesus decisively breaks this pattern, grounding discipleship not in hierarchy or curiosity, but in personal fidelity.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that every vocation is a direct call from Christ. Comparison undermines freedom and joy. Holiness is found in faithful response to one’s own calling (cf. CCC 825, 873).
Key Terms
If I want — divine sovereignty
Remain — destiny in Christ’s will
What concern — freedom from comparison
Follow me — final and personal command
Conclusion
John 21:22 closes the comparison and reopens the path. Christ redirects Peter from curiosity to commitment. The future of others belongs to God; discipleship belongs to the one who follows.
Reflection
Do I remain focused on Christ’s call for me—or do I allow comparison to distract my obedience?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You know the path You have chosen for each of us. Free my heart from comparison and anxiety about others. Fix my eyes on You alone, and grant me the grace to follow You faithfully, wherever You lead. Amen.
John 21:23 – “So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what concern is it of yours?’”
Interpretation
This verse clarifies a misunderstanding within the early Christian community and highlights the need for careful listening to Jesus’ words. Assumption replaces precision, and John corrects it pastorally and theologically.
“So the word spread among the brothers” shows how easily sayings of Jesus could be repeated without full accuracy. The community reflects on the Lord’s words, but interpretation can drift when not anchored carefully.
“That that disciple would not die reveals the mistaken conclusion. Hope and speculation blend, turning a conditional statement into a presumed promise. Expectation grows beyond what Jesus actually said.
“Yet Jesus did not say introduces firm correction. John, as eyewitness and theologian, safeguards truth. Love for the community requires clarification, not silence.
“‘That he would not die’ is explicitly denied. Immortality in the earthly sense was never promised. Resurrection faith does not remove human mortality.
“But, ‘If I want him to remain until I come’ restores the exact wording. The emphasis is on Christ’s freedom and authority, not on the disciple’s destiny. The statement was hypothetical, not predictive.
“‘What concern is it of yours?’ repeats Jesus’ core teaching. Curiosity about others’ futures distracts from personal fidelity. Discipleship is grounded in obedience, not speculation.
Theologically, this verse teaches that Christian hope must be rooted in truth, not rumor. Misunderstanding Jesus’ words can distort faith. The Gospel corrects not to diminish hope, but to purify it.
For believers, this verse is a reminder to listen carefully to Christ and to Scripture. Faith matures when it resists speculation and remains anchored in what the Lord has truly said.
Historical and Jewish Context
Early Christian communities lived with strong eschatological expectation. Clarifying such misunderstandings was essential to sustaining faithful hope without disappointment.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church emphasizes the importance of authentic interpretation of Scripture. Faith must be guided by truth safeguarded within the apostolic witness and Tradition (cf. CCC 84–87, 94).
Key Terms
Word spread — communal interpretation
Would not die — mistaken assumption
Did not say — correction of error
If I want — sovereignty of Christ
Conclusion
John 21:23 preserves the integrity of Jesus’ teaching. Hope is protected by truth, and discipleship is freed from speculation. What matters is not knowing others’ futures, but faithfully following Christ.
Reflection
Do I build my faith on careful listening to Christ’s words—or on assumptions shaped by desire or rumor?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, guard my heart from misunderstanding Your word. Teach me to listen attentively, believe faithfully, and trust Your will without speculation. Anchor my hope in truth, and help me follow You with clarity and peace. Amen.
CONCLUSION
This exchange clarifies a crucial principle of Christian life: faithfulness is not found in knowing God’s entire plan, but in trusting Him within one’s own calling. Jesus’ words emphasize freedom and sovereignty. God assigns different paths, durations, and forms of witness, all ordered toward His saving purpose. Comparison distracts; obedience liberates.
For the Church, this passage is a lasting reminder that unity does not require uniformity. Diverse vocations coexist within one communion, each sustained by trust in Christ’s guidance. The final word remains Jesus’ invitation: “Follow me.” Discipleship matures when believers release anxiety about others and place their confidence fully in the Lord, who alone knows the purpose and fulfillment of every life.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You call each of us to follow You according to Your loving plan. Free our hearts from comparison, envy, and anxious curiosity about others. Teach us to trust You with our own path and to walk in faithful obedience. May we follow You with humility and confidence, believing that Your will is perfect and Your guidance sure, now and always. Amen.