A common misinterpretation of John 21:20 is to view Peter's question about the beloved disciple as mere jealousy or rivalry, overlooking the context of genuine concern amid his own sobering prophecy of death; another error assumes this verse promises the disciple immortality, stemming from a later rumor in verse 23 that Jesus said 'If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you?', which the text explicitly denies as untrue, leading some to distort it into support for delayed second coming theories or apostolic indestructibility rather than the intended lesson on non-comparative discipleship.
John 21:20
King James Version (1769)
20 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?
In John 21:20, after Jesus commissions Peter to feed His sheep and foretells Peter's martyrdom, Peter turns and notices the beloved disciple (traditionally John) following them, prompting him to inquire about this disciple's future. This moment highlights Peter's human curiosity and tendency to compare his path with others', setting the stage for Jesus' rebuke in the following verses to focus solely on personal obedience to Christ's call rather than speculating on others' destinies, emphasizing individual accountability and trust in God's sovereign plan for each believer.