John 21:23
French Vigouroux 1902 Bible
Le bruit courut donc, parmi les frères, que ce disciple ne mourrait pas. Cependant, Jésus n'avait pas dit : Il ne mourra pas ; mais : Si je veux qu'il demeure jusqu'à ce que je vienne, que t'importe ?
What Does This Mean?
This verse talks about a rumor that spread among Jesus' disciples suggesting one of them wouldn't die, but Jesus didn't say he would live forever. Instead, Jesus said if he wanted the disciple to stay until his return, it wasn’t important for others to know.
Explained for Children
Imagine your friend told you that another kid in class won't ever grow old or leave school. But your teacher only meant that if he wants this kid around longer, it's not up to anyone else but him. That’s kind of what Jesus said too!
Historical Background
This verse is from the Gospel of John, written by the disciple John around 90-100 AD. It was addressed to early Christian communities who were trying to understand Jesus' messages and their implications.
Living It Out Today
In a modern scenario, if your colleague claims that someone won't be fired because the boss said so, but actually, the boss only mentioned keeping them around for now without guaranteeing anything permanent, it's important not to spread rumors or take things out of context.
Topics
rumorseternitydiscipleshipJesus' teachingperseverancefaith
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was there a rumor that one of the disciples wouldn't die?
The rumor likely started because some interpreted Jesus' words as a promise of eternal life for one disciple, but Jesus actually meant something different about his future plans.
What does 'tarry till I come' mean in this context?
It means that if Jesus wants the disciple to stay longer on earth until he returns, it's not important for others to know or worry about it; they should focus on their own duties.
How can we avoid spreading rumors like this today?
By ensuring we understand and share messages accurately and by checking the source of information before passing it along to others, just as Jesus did not confirm the rumor.
What is the main lesson from John 21:23 for believers?
The main lesson is about focusing on doing what God has called us to do without worrying too much about future events or spreading unconfirmed information.