John 21:23

Then went this saying This saying therefore went.

abroad among Literally, forth unto:comp. Matthew 9:26; Mark 1:28; Romans 10:8.

the brethren This phrase, common in the Acts (John 9:30; John 11:1; John 11:29; John 15:1; John 15:3; John 15:22-23, &c.), is not used elsewhere in the Gospels for believers generally; but we see the way prepared for it in the Lord's words to the disciples (Matthew 23:8), to S. Peter (Luke 22:32), and to Mary Magdalene (John 20:17).

should not die Literally, doth not die; so also -shall not die" in the next clause. 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 limits of the first century for the date of this Gospel.