Is John Still Alive Today? – John 21:22 Examined

In John 21, there is a mysterious passage where Jesus makes an intriguing statement about the length of John’s life. The passage has captured the imaginations of believers for over a millennium and has caused people to wonder…. Is John Still Alive Today?

I was first introduced to this passage many years ago in my sixth-grade Bible class. Our teacher had been taking us through the Gospel when we ran across the infamous passage.

“If I want him (John) to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

John 21:22

This statement sparked my class’s middle school imagination. “Does this mean John is still alive today!?:o!?” we asked with eyes full of wonder. As if he had anticipated the question, without missing a beat, our teacher replied, “It’s possible….”

This statement left us mystified, and for about a week, we debated the possibility. However, my friend group eventually determined that our teacher (a known prankster) was probably messing with us.

Although the notion that John could still be alive today seems ridiculous to most, a surprisingly large number of people entertain the possibility. Some religious organizations have even gone so far as to make it an official part of canonical teaching.

The Historical Death of John

John, the Apostle, was born sometime around 6 CE. He became one of Jesus’s closest disciples and a very influential early church leader. Later in life, he wrote the Gospel of John, mentored Polycarp (who became the Bishop of Smyrna), and wrote everyone’s favorite piece of apocalyptic literature, Revelation. According to church tradition, John died from old age sometime between 98 and 100 CE.

John 21:22: Is John Still Alive Today?

This whole business of people thinking John may still be walking the earth today can all be traced back to Jesus’s conversation with Peter in John 21:19-23.

Contextually, Jesus has just returned from the dead (sorry about the spoilers) and is wrapping up a nice but tense breakfast with his disciples. As they begin getting ready to move on, Jesus casually informs Peter that he will die a martyr’s death. Peter is understandably taken aback by this, turns to John, and asks for information about his death. Jesus, understanding the disgruntled disciple had missed the point, answered with a question.

“If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

John 21:22-23

The Three Interpretations of John 21:22

The language in John 21:22 is relatively flexible. In other words, it could be a literal prediction of the future or an illustration designed to make a point. Due to this ambiguity, there are several interpretations of Christ’s words.

1. The Hyperbolic Perspective

The first view argues that John 21 is more hyperbolic ^[1] than literal. This interpretation argues that Jesus used exaggerated/ illustrative language to make a point about Peter’s attitude. This interpretation is primarily held by people who believe that John died sometime around 98 CE.

Although Jesus doesn’t know when the world will end (Mark 13:32), he did know how his disciples would die. Consequently, proponents of this view argue that John’s historical death prevents a literal interpretation of Jesus’s words from making any sense.

Some also argue that Jesus would have used more explicit language if he had intended to make a claim about future events. For example, the phrase “Why does it matter to you that he will stay until I come” is less ambiguous than “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

From what I can tell, most Christians hold the Hyperbolic view, and it seems to be the default position of most, if not all, denominations.

2. The Preterism Perspective

Others suggest that John 21:22 was a prediction of future events, but that his statement, “If I desire that he stay until I come,” was referencing the destruction of Jerusalem instead of Christ’s return at the end of time. This view is based on a relatively obscure belief often associated with the eschatological view Preterism ^[2].

In Luke 21:20-28 Jesus predicts the temple’s destruction and then says,

“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

Luke 21:28

Typically verse 20-24 are thought to be about the destruction of Jerusalem, while 25-28 are about Jesus’s return at the end of time. However, some Preterists believe all New Testament Prophesies found fulfillment before the end of the first century. Because of this idea, they argue that verses 25-28 claim the second coming would happen during the destruction of Jerusalem.

Although this view is the least popular, it strikes an interesting middle ground between literal and non-literal interpretations that is worth noting.

3. The Literal Perspective

The final interpretation also takes Jesus’s words very literally. However, Proponents of this view believe that Jesus’s second coming will be at the end of time. Consequently, they propose John has been walking the earth for the last 2000 years.

The Mormon Church

The most prominent group that promotes this view is undoubtedly the Mormon church. In Mormonism, the modern-day physical existence of John is not just a possibility; it’s a fact.

Aside from the Book of Mormon, the LDS church has another collection of authoritative writings called the Doctrines and Covenants. According to BYU (Brigham Young University), these are,

“a compilation of revelations, most of which were received by the Prophet Joseph Smith for the establishment and governance of the kingdom of God in the latter days. It is a standard work of the Church and functions as its open, ever-expanding, ecclesiastical Constitution.”

Section 7 of the Doctrines and Covenants ^[3] says Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery asked God to tell them the truth behind John 21:22 through the Urim and Thummim. God then gave Smith a revelation where he revealed an extra-Biblical conversation Jesus allegedly had with John.

“The revelation is a translated version of the record made on parchment by John and hidden up by himself.

1 And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. 2 And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. 3 And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people.”

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1972-1985) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said that John is both alive today and at work ministering.

Because of this strong tradition inside the Mormon church, John 21:22 is typically interpreted very literally.

Christianity

As strange as it might sound, the belief that John never died has been floating around the pews since the founding of Christianity. John tells us that Jesus’s conversation with Peter sparked rumors and debates among the believers.

“the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die.”

John 21:23

However, be that as it may, in Christianity, this rumor never evolved beyond friendly speculation. Today, there are no major denominations that claim the apostle John still lives. And as far as I can tell, there never have been.

Yet, like my middle school friend group, many people are intrigued by the possibility. Consequently, if you ask around the pews, you are bound to run into people like my middle school Bible teacher. Who will neither confirm nor deny the current existence of John the Apostle.

Final Thoughts

When I began researching John’s possible modern-day existence, I didn’t have a strong opinion or much knowledge about this topic. But after digging through all the material I could find, I have to say that I don’t think John is still alive today.

To me, the language of John 21 does not sound literal. On the contrary, it sounds more like an exaggerated statement designed to make a point. I also find the traditions about John’s death very compelling. During my research, I could not find credible stories about people running into John after the year 100 CE. The only example I could find came from Joseph Smith (D&C 128:20) and random people in internet comment sections. I understand some people view Smith as a reliable source. But for me, his claims are questionable at best. Consequently, I have no reason to doubt the traditional view.

Yet, be all that as it may, there is still a tiny piece of me that entertains the possibility. As fantastical as it might sound, keeping John alive for the last 2,000 years is not a difficult task for God. Moreover, the fact that Christians, to this day, read John 21:22 and walk away, considering the possibility, suggests the idea is not totally bananas. Because of this, although I don’t think he exists on earth today, a small part of me hopes it’s true.

Further Reading

• Doctrine and Covenants: Overview by Roy W. Doxey
• John the Revelator, Part 3—Did He ever Die? by The Biblical Apologist (A proposition worth checking out.)

Sources

• Hyperbolic – of, relating to, or marked by language that exaggerates or overstates the truth  (Definition from Webster.) _^[1]
• Preterism ^[2] (Definition)
• Doctrines and Covenants Section 7 ^[3]
• Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol.3, p.508 (Bruce R. McConkie Quote)