John 21:15-23

Following and Tarrying. According to the earliest Christian tradition, Marcan and Pauline, an appearance to Peter was one of the earliest if not the earliest event after the Resurrection. If this section is historical it must be interpreted as teaching the leaders, and especially Peter, in terms which clearly recalled his former failure, their duty to the whole body of faithful disciples, scattered by the Crucifixion. They cannot return to their former occupations and wait for the Parousia. The work of the Good Shepherd must be carried on. Lambs must be fed, sheep must be shepherded, and fed also. In early life young men can choose their calling. Later on they must follow it, wherever it leads them, even as the old man, who is getting to need assistance, lifts his hands and has his girdle arranged for him. So Peter must follow. Later Christian thought found in the words a prediction of his martyrdom. In themselves the words point rather the lesson that advancing years bring greater need of obedience. With the language of John 21:18 cf. Psalms 37:25. Peter sees the Beloved Disciple, whom the author describes by reference to John 13:23 ff., following, and asks What of this man? The answer is a rebuke of curiosity. The action of the moment showed the other disciple ready to follow. For him, it is hinted, following may involve longer separation from the Christ than the following demanded of Peter. When this chapter was written, the interpretation of the saying, which had gained currency among Christians because of the long tarrying in the flesh of one to whom it was at least supposed to have been addressed, had clearly been falsified by the event. He had not tarried till the Lord came. The author reminds his readers that the Lord's eschatological teaching had ended with an if. So far as martyrdom is hinted at for Peter, it is in the command to follow (cf. John 13:36) and the contrasted tarrying, rather than in the saying itself, which Christian thought naturally interpreted in this sense, perhaps only after the event (cf. 2 Peter 1:13).