YHN 21:23 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) As a result of that, a rumour went around the others that that one wouldn’t die, but Yeshua never said that. (He only said, “If I want him to stay alive until I come back, what business would it be of yours?”)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT So this word spread among the brothers, that that disciple does not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he does not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

UST Because Jesus said this, the rumor that the disciple John was not going to die was repeated among the believers. However, Jesus did not tell Peter that John would not die. Rather, he said, “If I want him to continue living until I return, that is not your concern!”

BSB Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple {would} not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what [is that] to you?”

MSB Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple {would} not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what [is that] to you?”

BLB Therefore this saying went out among the brothers, that this disciple does not die. But Jesus had not said to him that he does not die, but, "If I desire him to remain until I come, what is it to you?"

AICNT So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, [what is that to you]?”[fn]

21:23, what is that to you?: Absent from some manuscripts, including Codex Sinaiticus.

OEB So the report spread among his followers that that disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say that he was not to die, but said ‘If it is my will that he should wait until I come, what has that to do with you?’

WEBBE This saying therefore went out amongst the brothers[fn] that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

21:23 The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

WMBB This saying therefore went out amongst the brothers[fn] that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Yeshua didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

21:23 The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

NET So the saying circulated among the brothers and sisters that this disciple was not going to die. But Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but rather, “If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours?”

LSV This word, therefore, went forth to the brothers that this disciple does not die, yet Jesus did not say to him that he does not die, but, “If I will him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you?”

FBV This is why the saying spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus didn't say to him that he wouldn't die, just that “If I want him to remain alive here until I return, why is that your concern?”

TCNT So the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die; he only said, “If I wish for him to remain until I come, what is that to yoʋ?”

T4T Some of the other believers heard a report of what Jesus had said about me, and they thought that Jesus meant that I would not die. But Jesus did not say that I would not die. He said only, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, ◄that is not your concern!/what is that to you?► [RHQ]”

LEB So this saying went out to the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that[fn] to you?”

21:23 *The words “is that” are not in the Greek text but are supplied in keeping with English style

BBE So this saying went about among the brothers that this disciple would not undergo death: Jesus, however, did not say that he would not undergo death, but, If it is my desire for him to be here till I come back, what is that to you?

Moff This started the report among the brotherhood that the said disciple was not to die. Jesus, however, did not say he was not to die; what he said was, “If I choose that he should survive till I come back, what does that matter to you?”

Wymth Hence the report spread among the brethren that that disciple would never die. Yet Jesus did not say, "He is not to die," but, "If I desire him to remain till I come, what concern is that of yours?"

ASV This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

DRA This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him: He should not die; but, So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee?

YLT yet Jesus did not say to him, that he doth not die, but, 'If him I will to remain till I come, what — to thee?'

Drby This word therefore went out among the brethren, That disciple does not die. And Jesus did not say to him, He does not die; but, If I will that he abide until I come, what [is that] to thee?

RV This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
(This saying therefore went forth among the brethren/brothers, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry/wait till I come, what is that to thee/you? )

SLT Then went out the word to the brethren, That this disciple dies not: and Jesus said not to him, That he dies not; but, If I will him to remain till I come, what to thee?

Wbstr Then this saying went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not to him, He shall not die; but, if I will that he shall tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

KJB-1769 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?
(Then went this saying abroad among the brethren/brothers, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry/wait till I come, what is that to thee/you? )

KJB-1611 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that Disciple should not die: yet Iesus sayd not vnto him, He shall not die: but, If I will that he tary till I come, what is that to thee?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Then went this saying abrode among the brethren, that that disciple shoulde not dye: Yet Iesus sayde not to hym, he shall not dye: but, yf I wyll that he tary tyll I come, what is that to thee?
(Then went this saying abroad among the brethren/brothers, that that disciple should not dye: Yet Yesus/Yeshua said not to him, he shall not dye: but, if I will that he tarry/wait till I come, what is that to thee/you?)

Gnva Then went this worde abroade among the brethren, that this disciple shoulde not die. Yet Iesus saide not to him, He shall not die: but if I will that he tarie till I come, what is it to thee?
(Then went this word abroad among the brethren/brothers, that this disciple should not die. Yet Yesus/Yeshua said not to him, He shall not die: but if I will that he tarry/wait till I come, what is it to thee/you? )

Cvdl Then wente there out a sayenge amonge the brethren: This disciple dyeth not. And Iesus sayde not vnto him: He dyeth not, but: Yf I wil that he tary tyll I come, what is that to the?
(Then went there out a saying among the brethren/brothers: This disciple dieth/dies not. And Yesus/Yeshua said not unto him: He dieth/dies not, but: If I will that he tarry/wait till I come, what is that to the?)

TNT Then went this sayinge a broode amonge the brethren that that disciple shulde not dye. Yet Iesus sayde not to him he shall not dye: but yf I will that he tary tyll I come what is that to the?
(Then went this saying a broode among the brethren/brothers that that disciple should not die. Yet Yesus/Yeshua said not to him he shall not dye: but if I will that he tarry/wait till I come what is that to the? )

Wycl Therfor this word wente out among the britheren, that thilke disciple dieth not. And Jhesus seide not to hym, that he dieth not, but, So Y wole that he dwelle til Y come, what to thee?
(Therefore this word went out among the brethren/brothers, that that disciple dieth/dies not. And Yhesus said not to him, that he dieth/dies not, but, So I will that he dwell till I come, what to thee/you?)

Luth Da ging eine Rede aus unter den Brüdern: Dieser Jünger stirbt nicht. Und JEsus sprach nicht zu ihm: Er stirbet nicht, sondern: So ich will, daß er bleibe, bis ich komme, was gebet es dich an?
(So went a/one speech out_of under the brothers: This/Theser disciple dies not. And Yesus spoke not to/for him: He stirbet not, rather: So I will, that he would_remain, until I come, what/which prayer it you/yourself an?)

ClVg Exiit ergo sermo iste inter fratres quia discipulus ille non moritur. Et non dixit ei Jesus: Non moritur, sed: Sic eum volo manere donec veniam, quid ad te?[fn]
(He_went_out therefore speech this between brothers because apprentice/student he/that_one not/no he_dies. And not/no he/she_said to_him Yesus: Not/No he_dies, sed: So him I_want to_stay until I_will_come, what to you(sg)? )

21.23 Et non dixit ei. Non est intelligendum quod Joannes non sit mortuus in carne, sed quidquid ante passus, quod ultimum in pace senium finiret. Non enim magnum erat dare dilecto non mori, cum dissolvi et esse cum Christo sit multo melius.

21.23 And not/no he/she_said to_him. Not/No it_is to_be_understood that Yoannes not/no be dead in/into/on flesh/meat, but whatever before suffered, that last in/into/on peace senium finiret. Not/No because magnum was dare beloved not/no to_die, when/with to_dissolve and to_be when/with to_Christ/Messiah be much better.

UGNT ἐξῆλθεν οὖν οὗτος ὁ λόγος εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει. οὐκ εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει, ἀλλ’, ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ?
(exaʸlthen oun houtos ho logos eis tous adelfous, hoti ho mathaʸtaʸs ekeinos ouk apothnaʸskei. ouk eipen de autōi ho Yaʸsous, hoti ouk apothnaʸskei, all’, ean auton thelō menein heōs erⱪomai, ti pros se?)

SBL-GNT ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ⸂οὗτος ὁ λόγος⸃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει. ⸂οὐκ εἶπεν δὲ⸃ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει ἀλλʼ· Ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ;
(exaʸlthen oun ⸂houtos ho logos⸃ eis tous adelfous hoti ho mathaʸtaʸs ekeinos ouk apothnaʸskei. ⸂ouk eipen de⸃ autōi ho Yaʸsous hoti ouk apothnaʸskei allʼ; Ean auton thelō menein heōs erⱪomai, ti pros se;)

RP-GNT Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ λόγος οὗτος εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει· καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει· ἀλλ', Ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρός σε;
(Exaʸlthen oun ho logos houtos eis tous adelfous, hoti ho mathaʸtaʸs ekeinos ouk apothnaʸskei; kai ouk eipen autōi ho Yaʸsous, hoti ouk apothnaʸskei; all', Ean auton thelō menein heōs erⱪomai, ti pros se;)

TC-GNT Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν [fn]ὁ λόγος οὗτος εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει· [fn]καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει· ἀλλ᾽, Ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ;
(Exaʸlthen oun ho logos houtos eis tous adelfous, hoti ho mathaʸtaʸs ekeinos ouk apothnaʸskei; kai ouk eipen autōi ho Yaʸsous, hoti ouk apothnaʸskei; all, Ean auton thelō menein heōs erⱪomai, ti pros se; )

21:23 ο λογος ουτος ¦ ουτος ο λογος CT

21:23 και ουκ ειπεν ¦ ουκ ειπεν δε CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 21:20–25: Peter asked about the disciple that Jesus loved

Peter wanted to know what would happen to another of the disciples, the one that Jesus loved. However, Jesus told him that he did not have the right to know. The author then said that he was the disciple that Jesus loved. The Gospel closes with the statement that Jesus did too many miracles to record them all in this book.

Here are other possible section headings:

Peter and Jesus talked about the disciple whom Jesus loved

Peter did not need to know about what would happen to the disciple that Jesus loved

Jesus did not answer Peter about the disciple whom he loved

Paragraph 21:20–23

Peter asked Jesus what would happen to the disciple whom Jesus loved. Jesus did not answer Peter’s question, but just encouraged Peter to follow him.

21:23

This verse gives some information that is not part of the main story. The author explained that Jesus’ words to Peter were misunderstood by some of the disciples. He also emphasized what Jesus actually said.

21:23a

Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die.

Because of this, many in the Christian/believing community told the rumor that this disciple would not die.
This made/caused some of the believers to say to others that this follower would not die but would live until Jesus returned.

Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die: Jesus’ response to Peter caused the other disciples to think that the beloved disciple would not die before Jesus returned. They talked about it with one another, and then with their families and friends. In this way the idea became common knowledge in the community. Here are other ways to translate this sentence:

So a rumor that this disciple wouldn’t die spread among Jesus’ followers. (GW)

This gave rise to the saying among the brothers that this disciple would not die. (JBP)

Because of this: The conjunction that the BSB translates as Because of this here indicates that the spread of this rumor was the result of what Jesus said in 21:22. Here are other ways to translate this conjunction:

So (NRSV)

This led to…

This caused…

the rumor spread among the brothers: The clause that the BSB translates as the rumor spread is more literally “the saying went out.” It refers to information that one person tells another and then that person tells others. In this case it was incorrect information. Translate the idiom the rumor spread in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

the rumor then went out among the brothers (NJB)

the story became widely known among all the disciples of Isa (Yakan Back Translation)

more and more followers of Jesus began to say/think that

In some languages it may be natural to make the brothers the subject of this clause. For example:

the community of believers began to spread the word that this disciple would not die

the followers of Jesus began to tell one another that this disciple would not die

the rumor: The expression that the BSB translates as the rumor is more literally “the word” or “the saying.” It refers to what the believers were telling one another, that John would not die. Use an expression that can refer to an incorrect assumption or piece of gossip. For example:

the saying (NET)

a story (NCV)

among the brothers: The phrase that the BSB translates as among the brothers is more literally “to the brothers.” It refers to the believers in general, both men and women. Christians were telling other Christians that Jesus said that the beloved disciple would not die. They thought that he would remain alive until Jesus returned to earth. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

among the community of believers (NLT)

among the other disciples (CEV)

among the brothers and sisters (NET)

this disciple: This phrase refers to the beloved disciple, who was almost certainly John, the author of this Gospel. Refer back to the disciple mentioned in 21:20a–c and 21:22a in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

the disciple Jesus was talking about

that follower

would not die: This phrase implies that Christ would return before that disciple died, and so he would not have to die. The disciples believed that Jesus’ return would mark the beginning of the age when God’s people would not die.

21:23b

However, Jesus did not say that he would not die,

But Jesus never said that that he would not die.
But Jesus never said that.

However, Jesus did not say that he would not die: In this clause the author corrected the wrong understanding of Jesus’ words that had become common in the community. Jesus did not promise that the beloved disciple would not die. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus did not promise that that disciple would not die.

But Jesus never said that he would not die

But Jesus did not say, “He will not die”

21:23c

but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”

He only said to Peter, “If I want that man/disciple to remain alive until I come back, why do you^(sing) need to know?”
He only said to Peter, “It should not matter to you^(sing) if I want that follower to live until I return.”
Jesus only told Peter that it should not matter to him whether or not he wanted the other disciple to remain alive until he returned.

but: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but here connects a negative statement (21:23b) to a positive statement (21:23c). This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. Here are some ways to show the emphasis:

Use the conjunction but as in the BSB.
yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (ESV)
Use a conjunction other than but. This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:
But Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but rather, “If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours?” (NET)
Do not use a conjunction. For example:
But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (NIV)
But Jesus didn’t say that he wouldn’t die. What Jesus said was, “If I want him to live until I come again, how does that concern you?” (GW)
Change the order of the clauses. For example:
But Jesus said, “If it is my will that he remain alive until I come again, you do not need to know that.” He did not say that that disciple would not die.

You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.

If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?: This quotation repeats exactly the quotation in 21:22a. Translate it as you did there. In some languages, it may be more natural to use an indirect quotation like that in 21:23b. For example:

But Jesus only said that it did not concern Peter if he wanted the other disciple to remain alive until he himself returned.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

οὗτος ὁ λόγος

this ¬the statement

Here, this word refers to what the brothers say about John’s future in the next clause. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the following report about John’s future]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐξῆλθεν & οὗτος ὁ λόγος

came_out & this ¬the statement

John uses spread to refer to this word being repeated among the believers. If this might confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [this word was repeated]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐξῆλθεν Οὖν οὗτος ὁ λόγος εἰς τούς ἀδελφούς ὅτι ὁ μαθητής ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει Οὐκ εἶπεν δέ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει ἀλλʼ Ἐάν αὐτόν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι τί πρός σέ)

Although the term brothers is masculine, John is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: [the fellow believers]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος

¬the ¬the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐξῆλθεν Οὖν οὗτος ὁ λόγος εἰς τούς ἀδελφούς ὅτι ὁ μαθητής ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει Οὐκ εἶπεν δέ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει ἀλλʼ Ἐάν αὐτόν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι τί πρός σέ)

Here, that disciple refers to the apostle John. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / pastforfuture

οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει & ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει

not ˓is˒_dying_off & that (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐξῆλθεν Οὖν οὗτος ὁ λόγος εἰς τούς ἀδελφούς ὅτι ὁ μαθητής ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει Οὐκ εἶπεν δέ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει ἀλλʼ Ἐάν αὐτόν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι τί πρός σέ)

John is using the present tense in order to refer to something that will happen in the future. If this might confuse your readers, you could use the future tense. Alternate translation: [will not die … that he will not die]

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

αὐτῷ

˱to˲_him

The pronoun him here refers to Peter. If this might confuse your readers, you could state that explicitly, as in the UST.

Note 7 topic: writing-pronouns

ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει & αὐτὸν

that that (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐξῆλθεν Οὖν οὗτος ὁ λόγος εἰς τούς ἀδελφούς ὅτι ὁ μαθητής ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει Οὐκ εἶπεν δέ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Οὐκ ἀποθνῄσκει ἀλλʼ Ἐάν αὐτόν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι τί πρός σέ)

The pronouns he and him here refer to John. If this might confuse your readers, you could state that explicitly, as in the UST.

ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ