What does Jesus mean by saying, “What is that to thee? follow thou me”?

When Jesus says, “What is that to thee? follow thou me,” he is gently correcting Peter. Peter wants to know what will happen to John, but Jesus has just told Peter about his own path of service and suffering. Jesus’ answer means, “John’s future is in my hands, not yours. Your job is to follow me yourself.” It teaches that each believer has a different path, and we should not be distracted by comparing our calling with someone else’s, but instead obey what Jesus has given us to do.

Why did Peter ask, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” about John?

Peter had just heard that following Jesus would involve hardship and even death for him. When he turns and sees John, the disciple Jesus loved, he wonders what John’s future will look like. His question likely mixes love for John, concern about suffering, and curiosity about how God will use someone else. The passage shows a normal human tendency to compare paths. Jesus does not say Peter’s care for John is wrong, but he redirects Peter from curiosity about another’s story back to his own call to follow.

Did Jesus say that John would not die in this passage?

No, Jesus did not say that John would not die. He said, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” Some of the believers took this to mean John would live until Jesus’ return, and a saying spread that he would not die. John himself clears this up by repeating Jesus’ exact words and pointing out what Jesus did and did not say. This warns us how easily a half-heard phrase can turn into a rumor if we do not listen carefully to what Jesus actually said.

What does it mean that the world could not contain the books about Jesus’ works?

When John says the world itself could not contain the books if everything Jesus did were written, he is using strong language to show how much more there is to Jesus than what is recorded. It does not mean books literally could not fit on the planet, but that Jesus’ words, deeds, and ways are far beyond what any library could hold. John’s point is that what he has written is only a small part of all that happened, yet it is enough to show who Jesus is and to lead people to faith.

Why is this passage important for understanding personal calling?

This passage is important because Jesus draws a clear line between Peter’s path and John’s path. Peter will serve and suffer in one way, John in another. Jesus does not explain all the details of John’s future, and he does not satisfy Peter’s curiosity. Instead he repeats, “Follow thou me.” This teaches that God’s plans for each believer are not identical. We are meant to trust Jesus with other people’s stories and stay faithful in the work and circumstances he puts in front of us.

How does John show that his testimony about Jesus is trustworthy?

John points to two things. First, he identifies himself as “the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things,” reminding readers that he was actually there when these events happened. Second, he adds, “we know that his testimony is true,” which shows that the wider group of believers who knew him agreed that he was careful and honest in what he wrote. Together this shows his account is not gossip or imagination, but a faithful record meant to help others believe.

How can I apply Jesus’ words to Peter, “follow thou me,” in my life today?

This passage invites you to stop measuring your life by someone else’s story. Like Peter, you may wonder why another believer seems to have an easier path, different gifts, or a different kind of suffering. Jesus’ answer is to bring you back to simple obedience: follow him where you are, with what you have been given. That means trusting God with unanswered questions about others, focusing on your own faithfulness, and believing that Jesus knows exactly what he is doing with each of his followers.

John.21.20

John 21:20

Q: Who is “the disciple whom Jesus loved” who wrote these things?

The passage itself explains that the disciple whom Jesus loved is the one who leaned on Jesus at the supper, asked about the betrayer, and is now following behind Peter. This same disciple then says, “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things.” He is both a close friend of Jesus and an eyewitness to the events he records. The community of believers adds, “we know that his testimony is true,” showing they trust his careful, honest report about Jesus.

KJV

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

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?

This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.