What Does John 21:22 Mean in the King James?
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
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
Jesus leaves the other disciple’s future hypothetical and makes Peter’s present path the point: keep following me.
THE MEANING
Another person’s future remains in Jesus’ hands, but it does not define the reader’s relationship with him. The verse brings the focus to the present, ongoing movement of following Jesus.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
My path can only be understood once I know what Jesus plans for somebody else.
THE ROOT
ἀκολούθει
akolouthei
GROWS FROM
ἀκολουθ-
akolouth-
to follow, accompany, go after
“follow” in this verse is akolouthei. The verb carries the sense of going with someone, not merely agreeing with a direction. Its present imperative gives the command an ongoing force: keep following me.
ALSO GROWS
akolouthos: follower, companion
ἀκόλουθος
The related noun places companionship inside the idea of following.
akolouthia: following, sequence
ἀκολουθία
This related word shows the movement and succession held in the same word family.
μένῃ
menē
GROWS FROM
μένω
menō
to remain, stay, continue, abide
The same Greek verb is translated “abide” when Jesus speaks of remaining in him. English gives “tarry” and “abide” different sounds, while the Greek keeps them in one word family.
ALSO GROWS
menō: remain, stay, abide
μένω
In John 15:4, the same verb describes abiding in Jesus, linking another person’s possible remaining with the language of relationship.
monē: dwelling, abode
μονή
This related noun names a place of remaining; it appears as “mansions” in John 14:2.
THE PATTERN
Following God is a direct, ongoing path whose meaning is not borrowed from another person’s outcome.
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.THE THREAD
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.John 21’s “tarry” and John 15’s “abide” translate the same Greek verb, μένω (menō), meaning remain. The shared word makes Peter’s question about another person’s staying resonate with Jesus’ invitation to remain in him.
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