John 21:23

In this verse John clears a mistake that continued in the Church, occasioned by their misunderstanding of Christs speech. They imagined, upon Christs speech, that John should not die (and it is like they were confirmed in their mistake, by Johns living so long after the rest of the Apostles,) whereas Christ said no such thing; but only, by way of supposition, asserted, that suppose he should keep him never so long alive, Peter had nothing to do with it. Whence learn, 1. The people of God are brethren, and ought to entertain and cherish mutual affection, and live in concord, as brethren; Therefore had they this designation in the primitive times, The brethren. 2. Even Christs own speeches were mistaken by the Saints in purest times, much more may others be mistaken, and their words wrested contrary to their sense and meaning; for, here a mistake ariseth upon what he said. 3. It may commend unto us the wisdome of God, in leaving with us, and astricting us unto, the written Word, when we see erroneous Traditions so soon on foot in the Church concerning Christs words which were not written, and the mistake growing by going from hand to hand, till the writers of Scripture refute it; for, here we see an unwritten and erroneous tradition going abroad among the brethren, till John clear the mistake and [refute] it, when he wrote this Gospel. 4. Such as would rightly understand Christs speeches, must take good heed to every word and particle in his expression; to the forme of speech, whether it be absolute, or by way of supposition; and, to Christs scope in it, according to which we must take up his meaning; for, hence rise their mistake, they took Christs way of speech as absolute, that that Disciple should not dye, whereas he spake only by way of supposition; for, Jesus said not, he shall not die, but if I will that he tarry till I come, &c. And they look upon his speech as tending to give a promise concerning Johns life, whereas Christs scope was only to shew Peter, that he had nothing to do with the matter, albeit he should continue him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?