John 21:25 English Standard Version (ESV) Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

At the time of John’s writing of his gospel accounts a number of years had passed since his contemporaries Matthew, Mark and Luke had penned theirs. There are glaring differences between the synoptic gospels and John’s. Those differences are purposed by God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that spoke to each according to God’s plan.

It is obvious from this opening verse that much of what Jesus did during those three years of ministry has been left out by each writer. What has been included is according to God’s plan. We only have some hint of what might have transpired in the lives of those that Jesus touched.

Mark 7:35-37 English Standard Version

³⁵ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

At first glance one might think these people were disobeying Jesus. He was not their Lord at the time nor were they disciples.

This might be just the leading edge of all that Jesus did in His ministry during His three year ministry. It is mere speculation as to what happened to these witnesses of God’s power. We do not know just how much the experienced changed their lives. There were both Jews and Gentiles that received God’s gracious goodness in those days. They would not have necessarily reacted the same nor should we expect them to do so.

If they had a vested interest in Jesus, what might have transpired in their lives after His death, resurrection and ascension?

We can only answer for ourselves, not others.

John 21:20-25 English Standard Version

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers^{[fellow believers]} that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Recently studies on our new life in Christ had an opportunity to wonder what had happened to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea but the bible leaves no clues as to what might have become of those renown men of the Jewish community. We can only speculate about what might have happened to them. As I sought information these passages came to mind because of this one line; “What is that to you? You follow me!”

In the gospel of John he continuously referred to this disciple Jesus loved. Didn’t Jesus love everyone? Why not just admit it was John himself that he is writing about?

The answer for me is keeping the focus on Jesus and the witness and not John. In John 21:24 John finally admits that he was talking about himself.

We all have a witness but is our telling about us or what God has done?