In my Catholic study bible, this verse says John will remain until Jesus returns. What does this mean?

Thank You

The Gospel of Saint records:

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." 20 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at 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? Follow me!" 23 The saying spread abroad among the brethren 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 to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things which 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.

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/ewtn/bible/search_bible.asp#ixzz1yXHQ1DRl

One interpretation, which I prefer, is that the Coming of Jesus of which the Lord speaks is his coming in judgment upon the city of Jerusalem through the Roman army seige and destruction, which occured in 70 AD. Peter is known to have been martyred under Nero in 67 AD or so, prior to this Coming of the Son of Man in power. That initial coming was a foreshadowing of his final Coming at the end of time. Tradition relates that Saint John, on the other hand, lived long past that Coming, probably into the 90's AD.

Thanks Polly

Father Echert

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