Devine Scripture

John 21:24

What does John 21:24 mean?

A plain-English look at John 21:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 21:24 means

The writer of this Gospel explicitly identifies himself as the disciple who bears witness to these events, meaning he was an eyewitness to all that he recorded. Furthermore, he affirms that he also authored these writings. The evangelist then adds a collective affirmation: "and we know that his witness is true." This statement vouches for the reliability and authenticity of John's testimony, ensuring readers of its divine inspiration and historical accuracy, grounding faith in verifiable truth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

This is the disciple who gives witness about these things and who put them in writing: and we have knowledge that his witness is true.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

this is the disciple who is testifying concerning these things, and he wrote these things, and we have known that his testimony is true.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things and hath written these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

This is the disciple who bears witness concerning these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his witness is true.

Context

This verse serves as a powerful authorial statement, with the "disciple whom Jesus loved" actively identifying himself as the eyewitness and writer of this Gospel. This affirmation immediately follows the clarification about his fate, lending immense credibility to the entire narrative. It emphasizes the truthfulness of the account and prepares for the concluding statement about the vastness of Jesus' deeds.

v.23This 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?

v.24This passage

v.25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 5:6

    This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.

  • 1 John 1:1

    That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life

  • John 15:27

    and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

  • John 19:35

    And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe.

  • 3 John 1:12

    Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true.

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