Marginal Notes on John 21:8

The epilogue of John appears to be an appendix, written by a disciple of John, in order to clarify the destiny of Peter and John, and lending supporting testimony to the veracity of the Gospel.  This addition was probably necessitated by John’s absence.  Interestingly, when James (the brother of John) was murdered and Peter arrested – upon his release the angel instructed Peter to “gird himself” (Acts 12:8). This indicated to Peter that it was not his time to die yet because he knew the Lord’s words in John 21:8: “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish”  (John 21:8).