Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 21:23

οὖτος before ὁ λόγος with אBCD against A.

23. ἐξῆλθεν. There went forth therefore this word unto the brethren, That disciple dieth not. Comp. Luke 7:17. Οἱ� for believers generally, common in the Acts (Acts 9:30; Acts 11:1; Acts 11:29; Acts 15:1; Acts 15:3; Acts 15:22-23, &c.), is not found elsewhere in the Gospels: but we see the way prepared for it in the Lord’s words to Mary Magdalene (John 20:17), to the disciples (Matthew 23:8), and to S. Peter (Luke 22:32). The mistake points to a time when Christians generally expected that the Second Advent would take place in their own time; and the correction of the mistake points to a time when the Apostle was still living. If this chapter was added by another hand after the Apostle’s death it would have been natural to mention his death, as the simplest and most complete answer to the misunderstanding. The cautious character of the answer given, merely pointing out the hypothetical form of Christ’s language, without pretending to explain it, shews that the question had not yet been solved in fact. Thus we are once more forced back within the first century for the date of this Gospel. Godet is inclined to believe that in some mysterious way the hypothesis is a fact; and that, as the primeval Church has its Enoch, and the Jewish Church its Elijah, so the Christian Church may have its S. John, preserved in special connexion with its progress to the very end.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 21:23

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