What Does John 21:21 Mean in the King James?
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Peter’s question shows how quickly another person’s future can become the question occupying your attention.
THE MEANING
This verse speaks to the moment your attention turns from Jesus toward someone else’s path. Peter sees the other disciple and asks what is to become of him, while his own next step remains unspoken here. Jesus answers in the next verse by addressing Peter’s own following.
THE ROOT
ἰδών
idōn
GROWS FROM
εἰδ-/ἰδ- (eid-/id-, the seeing stem)
See, perceive; know by having seen.
“seeing” in this verse is idōn. ἰδών (idōn, “having seen”) is an aorist form in the family of ὁράω (horaō, “see, perceive”). The related οἶδα (oida, “know”) historically means “have seen,” so this word family lets sight shade into knowing. Peter’s sight of the other disciple becomes a question about that disciple’s future.
ALSO GROWS
eîdos: Form, appearance; what is seen.
εἶδος
This branch names the visible form taken in by the eye, showing how seeing includes perceiving what stands before you.
oîda: Know; historically, “have seen.”
οἶδα
This branch carries sight into knowing, echoing the verse’s movement from Peter seeing the disciple to asking about his future.
THE PATTERN
Attention to another person’s path or place can become a question brought to Jesus.
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.THE THREAD
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.Jesus answers Peter’s question about the other disciple by naming Peter’s own path: “follow thou me.” The other disciple’s future remains open, while Peter’s next step is spoken directly.
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