Trustworthy: Jesus is trustworthy. To guard against any potential slander against the Lord, John devotes one of his last three statements to defend the veracity of Jesus’ words. He dispels the rumor that Jesus predicted John would live until the second coming. This idea stemmed from a faulty interpretation of Jesus’ words in v22. There, Jesus spoke hypothetically, not predictively. With the heart of a shepherd, John guards his audience from the painful conclusion that John’s death would mean the failure of Jesus’ words. Perish the thought! Jesus is God and He cannot lie.[1] His word always comes to pass. Even as His words came to pass regarding Simon’s denials and his martyrdom, so His words about John would never fail. But Jesus never said John would live until His return. John did eventually die, but that never put into question Jesus’ words. His words are faithful; we can trust all that He has said and meant.

Testimony: John’s Gospel is an eyewitness testimony.[2] John did not write a fairytale, myth, legend, parable, or a book of virtues. He wrote a factual account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and he did so as an eyewitness. Even as a witness takes the stand and testifies to what he has seen and heard, so John did here (cf. 1 John 3:1-3). He also certified his account, not alone but alongside fellow apostolic witnesses (v24).[3] John assures us this is true to embolden our faith. All who truly believe follow the Savior and find life; all who deny Him face death.[4] No middle ground. Trust and follow the Savior.

[1] Jesus is God (John 1:1; 5:18; 8:58; 10:30; 14:11; 17:5; 20:28); God cannot lie (Rom. 3:4; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18). Jesus Himself is the truth (John 8:32, 36; 14:6; cf. also 1 John 5:20; Rev. 3:14; 19:11).

[2] Cf. John 19:35; 21:24. This Gospel begins with the witness of the Baptist and ends with the author’s own.

[3] John uses “we” for apostolic witnesses (John 1:14, 16; cf. also Acts 1:8; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39).

[4] Life is for all who believe (John 3:14-16, 36; 6:40; 11:25-26; 20:31), death for the rest (John 5:24; 8:24, 51).