18. Young (vedrtepos). Lit., younger. Peter was apparently of middle age. See Matt. viii. 14.
Thou girdedst thyself (é{avvves ceavrov). The word may have been suggested by Peter’s girding his fisher’s coat round him. The imperfect tense signifies something habitual. Thou wast wont to clothe thyself and to come and go at will.
Walkedst (aepverdreis). Lit., walkedst about. Peculiarly appropriate to describe the free activity of vigorous manhood.
Stretch forth thy hands. The allusion to the extending of the hands on the cross, which some interpreters have found here, is fanciful. It is merely an expression for the helpless- ness of age.
Whither thou wouldest not. According to tradition Peter suffered martyrdom at Rome, and was crucified with his head downward.
19. By what death (aol). Properly, by what manner of death. So Rev.
20. Leaned (dvérecev). Rev., leaned back. See on xiii. 25.
The reference is to the special act of John, leaning back to whisper to Jesus, and not to his position at table.
21. And what shall this man do (odros Sé7/;)? —Lit., and this one what ?
22. Till | come (ws pyouat). Rather, while Lam coming. Compare ix. 4; xii. 35, 36; 1 Tim. iv. 13.
What is that to thee (r/ pds ce;)? Lit., what as concerns thee ?
23. Should not die (ov« doIvyjcxe). Lit., dieth not.
24, 25. Many interpreters think that these two verses were written by some other hand than John’s. Some ascribe vv. 24 and 25 to two different writers. The entire chapter, though bearing unmistakable marks of John’s authorship in its style and language, was probably composed subsequently to the com- pletion of the Gospel.