Albert Barnes Commentary John 21:22

"Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? Follow thou me." — John 21:22 (ASV)

That he tarry. That he live. The same word is used to express life in Philippians 1:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:6.

Till I come. Some have supposed this to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem, others to the day of judgment, and others to signify that he would not die a violent death. But the plain meaning is, If I will that he should not die at all, it is nothing to you.

In this way, the apostles evidently understood it and consequently raised a report that he would not die.

It is remarkable that John was the last of the apostles. He lived to nearly the close of the first century and then died a peaceful death at Ephesus, being the only one, as is supposed, of the apostles who did not suffer martyrdom.

The testimony of antiquity is clear on this point. And though there have been many idle conjectures about this passage and about the fate of John, no fact of history is better attested than that John died and was buried at Ephesus.

What is that to you? From this passage we learn:

1. That our main business is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. That there are many subjects of religion on which a vain and impertinent curiosity is exercised. All such curiosity Jesus here reproves.
3. That Jesus will take care of all his true disciples, and that we should not be overly concerned about them.
4. That we should go forward to whatever he calls us—to persecution or death—not envying the lot of any other man, and anxious only to do the will of God.

You follow me (John 21:19).