John 21 · Verse 24

John 21:24

This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
John 21:24, King James Version

John 21:24 in other translations

BSBThis is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true.
WEBThis is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
ASVThis is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true.
YLTthis is the disciple who is testifying concerning these things, and he wrote these things, and we have known that his testimony is true.
DARBYThis is the disciple who bears witness concerning these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his witness is true.
BBEThis is the disciple who gives witness about these things and who put them in writing: and we have knowledge that his witness is true.
WebsterThis is the disciple who testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

What does John 21:24 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
24. This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things--thus identifying the author of this book with all that it says of this disciple. we know that his testimony is true--(Compare Joh 19:35).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 24. This is the disciple, &c. This proves that the beloved disciple was John.

We know. That is, it is known; it is universally admitted. It was so decidedly his character that he always declared the truth, that it had become known, and was unquestioned, so that he himself might appeal to the universal testimony in his behalf. In this case, therefore, we have the testimony of a man whose character for nearly a century was that of a man of truth---so much so that it had become, in a manner, proverbial, and was put beyond a doubt. It is impossible to believe that such a man would sit down deliberately to impose on mankind, or to write a book which was false; and if not, then this book is true, and that is the same as saying that Christianity is a religion from heaven.

(t) "and we know" Jn 19:35, 3Jn 1:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 24 This is the disciple - It is, I think, very likely that these two verses were added by some of the believers at that time, as a testimony to the truth of the preceding narration; and I allow, with Bishop Pearce and others, that it is possible that John may mean himself when he says We know, etc., yet, I think that it is very unlikely. It is certain that this Gospel loses no part of its authority in admitting the suffrage of the Church of God: it rather strengthens the important truths which are delivered in it; and in the mouths of so many witnesses the sacred matters which concern the peace and salvation of the world, are still more abundantly established. See the last note on the preceding chapter. We know - Instead of οιδαμεν, we know, some have written οιδα μεν, I know indeed; but this is mere conjecture, and is worthy of no regard. It is likely that these verses were added by those to whom John gave his work in charge.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 21:20-24

Sufferings, pains, and death, will appear formidable even to the experienced Christian; but in the hope to glorify God, to leave a sinful world, and to be present with his Lord, he becomes ready to obey the Redeemer's call, and to follow Him through death to glory. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should mind their own duty, and not be curious about future events, either as to themselves or others. Many…

Read the full comment on John 21:20-24 →

John 21:24 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὗτόςhoutosThisG3778
ἐστινestinisG1510
ὁhotheG3588
μαθητὴςmathētēsdiscipleG3101
ὁhowhoG3588
μαρτυρῶνmarturōnis bearing witnessG3140
περὶpericoncerningG4012
τούτωνtoutōnthese thingsG3778
καὶkaiandG2532
γράψαςgrapsashaving writtenG1125
ταῦτα,tautathese things,G3778
καὶkaiandG2532
οἴδαμενoidamenwe know
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἀληθὴςalēthēstrueG227
αὐτοῦautouof himG846
ἡhētheG3588
μαρτυρίαmarturiatestimonyG3141
ἐστίν.¶estinis.G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 21:24

  • John 15:27

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

  • John 19:35

    And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

  • 1 John 1:1-2

    That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

  • 1 John 5:6

    This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

  • 3 John 1:12

    Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
we know.
19:35; 1Jo 1:1,2; 5:6; 3Jo 1:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • John 21:23

    Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

  • John 21:24

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

  • John 21:25

    And 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 could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Read all of John 21

John 21:24 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Este es aquel discípulo que da testimonio de estas cosas, y escribió estas cosas: y sabemos que su testimonio es verdadero.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		C’est ce disciple-là qui rend témoignage de ces choses, et qui a écrit ces choses, et nous savons que son témoignage est vrai.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Dieser ist der Jünger, der von diesen Dingen zeugt und der dieses geschrieben hat; und wir wissen, daß sein Zeugnis wahr ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Hic est discipulus ille qui testimonium perhibet de his, et scripsit hæc: et scimus quia verum est testimonium ejus.