John chapter 18 Star Chart: The association of the Lamb with the cross corresponds to Aries being on the heavenly cross of Ecliptic and Equator at this time of the equinox.

Clockwise from when a "disciple ... spake unto her (Andromeda) that kept the door, and brought in (Perseus) Peter" (18:16) till "the damsel (Andromeda) that kept the door (said) unto (Perseus) Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not" (18:17) is 41° seconds -- the first denial. Then clockwise from when "(Perseus) Simon Peter stood and (solar) warmed himself" (18:25) till "They (Gemini) said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not" (18:25) is 30° seconds -- the second denial. Then clockwise from when "One of the (Auriga) servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear (Perseus) Peter cut off, saith, Did not I (lunar eyeballs) see thee in the (green Milky Way) garden with him?" (18:26) till "Peter (Perseus) then denied again: and immediately the (Orion) cock crew" (18:27) is 320° -- the third denial, "and it was (sun on red radius horizon) early" (18:28).

John chapter 19 Star Chart: Clockwise from when "they (Argo mast-cross) crucified him, and two (Gemini) other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst" (19:18) till "Then came the (Gemini) soldiers, and brake the legs of the (Canis Major) first, and of the other (Canis Minor) which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and (lunar eyeballs) saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs" (19:32-33) is 6 hours from 9 am till 3 pm (Mark 15:25 to 15:37) which is 60° minutes per hour x 6 hours = 360°.

John chapter 20 Star Chart: Clockwise from "the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the (Orion, Auriga & Perseus) disciples were assembled for fear of the (Gemini) Jews, came Jesus (Sagittarius) and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples (lunar smiling crescent) glad, when they (lunar eyeballs) saw the Lord" (20:19-20) till "after eight days again his (Gemini) disciples were within, and Thomas (Perseus) with them: then came (Sagittarius) Jesus, the (solar) doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to (Perseus) Thomas, Reach hither thy (lunar) finger, and behold my (lunar) hands; and reach hither thy (lunar) hand, and thrust it into my (Aries) side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas (Perseus) answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God" (20:26-28) is 480° which is 1 lap (360°) + 120° hours from Sagittarius to Aries where each day is 60°.

John chapter 21 Star Chart: Assuming Peter was 30 years old in 31 AD, then clockwise from when (Orion) Jesus said to (Perseus) Simon Peter, "Feed my (Aries) lambs" (21:15), till Jesus said to Simon "Feed my (Aries) sheep" (21:16) till Jesus said to Simon Peter again "Feed my (Aries) sheep" (21:17) till "when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee (Argo mast-cross), and carry thee whither thou wouldest not" (21:18) is 1 lap (360°) to reach age 30 in 31 AD -- "when thou wast young" (21:18). Then 1 lap more (360°) + 70° more = 430° where each year is 12 months is almost 36 years till he was crucified and followed Christ in death (21:19) at age 66 in 67 AD.

The story, preserved by Tertullian ('De Priescr.,' 35; ' Ad Scorp.,' 15) and Eusebius ('Hist. Eccl.,' 3:1), that the apostle preferred crucifixion with his head downwards, on the plea that to be crucified as his Master was too great an honor for one that had denied his Lord. He lived about thirty-six years after this (67 AD); thou shalt stretch forth thy hands — To be nailed to the cross; and another shall gird thee — Such as were condemned to be crucified, were tied to the cross till the nails were driven in; and shall carry thee — With the cross; whither thou wouldest not — According to nature: to the place where the cross was to be set up.

Also, clockwise from when "Peter (Perseus) (lunar eyeballs) seeing him (Castor or Pollux) saith to (Orion) Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?" (21:21) till "Jesus (Orion) saith unto him, If I will that he (Castor or Pollux) tarry till I COME, what is that to thee? follow thou me" (21:22) is 65 and 70 years -- 96 till 101 AD when John died.

"Behold HE COMETH" [Rev. 1:7; Rev. 22:20; etc.]. The apocalyptic visions (96 AD) recorded in the Revelation are what is meant by Christ’s ‘COMING’ in this verse. It is remarkable that John was the last of the apostles; that he lived through the close of the first century (101 AD), and then died a peaceful death at Ephesus, being the only one, as is supposed, of the apostles who did not suffer martyrdom. Also, from his death till the actual Second Coming would be merely an instant, so that too is meant by 'COMING.' The testimony of antiquity is clear on this point; and though there have been many idle conjectures about this passage and about the fate of John, yet no fact of history is better attested than that John died and was buried at Ephesus.

It's Necessary That One Man Should Die For The People

18:1 When Jesus (Orion) had spoken these words, he went forth with his (Gemini) disciples over the (Milky Way) brook Cedron, where was a (green Milky Way) garden, into the which he entered, and his (Gemini) disciples.

2 And Judas (Auriga) also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus (Orion) ofttimes resorted thither with his (Gemini) disciples..

3 Judas (Orion) then, having received a band of (Gemini) men and officers from the (Sagittarius) chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with (Orion) lanterns and torches and (Perseus) weapons.

4 Jesus (Orion) therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5 They (Gemini) answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus (Orion) saith unto them, I am he. And Judas (Perseus) also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went (rotated) backward, and fell to the (horizon) ground.

7 Then asked he (Orion) them again, Whom seek ye? And they (Gemini) said, Jesus of Nazareth.

8 Jesus (Orion) answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

10 Then (Perseus) Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's (Auriga) servant, and cut off his right (lunar) ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11 Then said (Orion) Jesus unto (Perseus) Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the (solar) cup which my (Cepheus) Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

12 Then the (Gemini) band and the (Sagittarius) captain and (Perseus, Auriga) officers of the Jews took (Orion) Jesus, and (red radius) bound him,

13 And led him away to (Auriga) Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the (Gemini) Jews, that it was expedient that one man should (Argo mast-cross) die for the (Gemini) people.

15 And (Perseus) Simon Peter followed (Orion) Jesus, and so did another (Auriga) disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

16 But (Perseus) Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her (Andromeda) that kept the door, and brought in (Perseus) Peter.

17 Then saith the damsel (Andromeda) that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a (solar) fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and (Perseus) Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

19 The (Auriga) high priest then asked (Orion) Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the (Gemini) Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

21 Why askest thou me? ask them which (lunar ears) heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the (Perseus) officers which stood by struck (Auriga) Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

23 Jesus (Orion) answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

"Now brother, if a better system's thine,
Impart it frankly, or make use of mine." -- Horace

24 Now (Auriga) Annas had sent him (red radius) bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

25 And (Perseus) Simon Peter stood and (solar) warmed himself. They (Gemini) said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

26 One of the (Gemini) servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear (Perseus) Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the (green Milky Way) garden with him?

27 Peter (Perseus) then denied again: and immediately the (Orion) cock crew.

28 Then led they (Orion) Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was (sun on red radius horizon) early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

30 They (Gemini) answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

31 Then said (Orion) Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The (Gemini) Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

33 Then (Orion) Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called (Auriga) Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

35 Pilate (Orion) answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

36 Jesus (Orion) answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my (Gemini) servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the (Gemini) Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate (Auriga) therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus (Orion) answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38 Pilate (Auriga) saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the (Gemini) Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40 Then cried they all (Gemini) again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.


Soldiers Made Four (Lunar) Parts & also His (Solar) Coat

 

19:1 Then (Sagittarius) Pilate therefore took (Orion) Jesus, and (red radius) scourged him.

2 And the soldiers platted a (lunar) crown of thorns, and put it on his (Sagittarius) head, and they put on him a purple (radius) robe,

3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their (Perseus, Cetus & Gemini) hands.

4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, (lunar eyeballs) Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

5 Then came (Sagittarius) Jesus forth, wearing the (lunar) crown of thorns, and the purple (radius) robe. And (Orion) Pilate saith unto them, (lunar eyeballs) Behold the man!

6 When the chief priests therefore and officers (lunar eyeballs) saw him, they cried out, saying, (Argo mast cross) Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate (Orion) saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

7 The (Gemini) Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8 When Pilate (Orion) therefore (lunar ears) heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto (Sagittarius) Jesus, Whence art thou? But (Sagittarius) Jesus gave him no answer.

10 Then saith (Orion) Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to (Argo mast-cross) crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11 Jesus (Sagittarius) answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

12 And from thenceforth Pilate (Orion) sought to release him: but the (Gemini) Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

13 When Pilate (Orion) therefore (lunar ears) heard that saying, he brought Jesus (Sagittarius) forth, and (Auriga) sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the (solar) Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he (Auriga) saith unto the (Gemini) Jews, (lunar eyeballs) Behold your King!

15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, (Argo mast-cross) crucify him. Pilate (Auriga) saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be (Argo mast-cross) crucified. And they took (Sagittarius) Jesus, and led him away.

17 And he (Sagittarius) bearing his (purple radius) cross (member) went forth into a place called the place of a (lunar eyeballs) skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Why is it called Golgotha? Perhaps because " David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem" (1 Sam. 17:54). If he buried it at "Golgotha" (Goliath+ Gath = Golgoth), then it would be "the place of a skull" (John 19:17), Goliath's skull, to fulfill the Scripture that says the Seed (Christ) "shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Gen. 3:15) by pounding a nail in his heel at crucifixion. Goliath was a nephilim giant, and therefore seed of the serpent.

18 Where they (Argo mast-cross) crucified him, and two (Gemini) other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19 And (Auriga) Pilate (red radius) wrote a title, and put it on the (mast) cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.

20 This title then read many of the (Gemini) Jews: for the place where (Sagittarius) Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

21 Then said the (Gemini) chief priests of the Jews to (Auriga) Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

22 Pilate (Auriga) answered, What I have (red radius) written I have (red radius) written.

23 Then the (Gemini) soldiers, when they had (mast-cross) crucified (Sagittarius) Jesus, took his garments, and made four (lunar) parts, to every soldier a part; and also his (solar) coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast (lunar white or black) lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the (Perseus, Gemini, Orion) soldiers did.

25 Now there stood by the (mast) cross of Jesus his (Pollux) mother, and his mother's (Castor) sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus (Sagittarius) therefore (lunar eyeballs) saw his (Pollux) mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (Castor), he saith unto his mother, Woman, (lunar eyeballs) behold thy (Castor) son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

28 After this, Jesus (Sagittarius) knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his (Sagittarius) mouth.

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the (Milky Way) ghost (spirit).

31 The (Gemini) Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the (Argo mast) cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought (Auriga) Pilate that their legs might be (red radius) broken, and that they might be taken away.

"Phocion and others being put to death on a feast day at Athens, all who had not hearts entirely savage looked upon it as a most impious thing not to have reprieved them at least for that day, and so have kept the city unpolluted on the festival." (Plutarch Phoc. 37)

32 Then came the (Gemini) soldiers, and brake the legs of the (Canis Major) first, and of the other (Canis Minor) which was crucified with him.

33 But when they came to Jesus, and (lunar eyeballs) saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his (Sagittarius) side, and forthwith came there out (red radius) blood and (Milky Way) water.

The heart contains a hollow membrane, somewhat like a purse, called the pericardium, containing a small quantity of clear water.

35 And he that (lunar eyeballs) saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37 And again another scripture saith, They shall (lunar eyeballs) look on him whom they (red radius) pierced.

38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the (Gemini) Jews, besought (Auriga) Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to (Sagittarius) Jesus by night, and brought a (solar) mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in (Milky Way) linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the (Gemini) Jews is to bury.

41 Now in the place where he was (Argo mast) crucified there was a (green Milky Way) garden; and in the garden a new (lunar) sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

42 There laid they (Sagittarius) Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the (lunar) sepulchre was nigh at hand.


If You Forgive Anyone’s Sins, They are Forgiven;
If You Don't Forgive Them, They are Not Forgiven


20:1 The first day of the week cometh (Andromeda) Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet (black zodiac) dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the (lunar) sepulchre.

2 Then she runneth, and cometh to (Perseus) Simon Peter, and to the other disciple (Auriga), whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

3 Peter (Perseus) therefore went forth, and that other (Auriga) disciple, and came to the (lunar) sepulchre.

4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the (lunar) sepulchre, and he (lunar eyeballs) saw, and believed.

9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must (red radius) rise again from the dead.

10 Then the (Gemini) disciples went away again unto their own home.

11 But (Andromeda) Mary stood without at the (lunar open) sepulchre (glistening stars rotating down) weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the (lunar open) sepulchre,

12 And seeth two (Gemini) angels in (Milky Way) white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the (Canis Minor) body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they (Gemini) say unto her, Woman (Andromeda), why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 And when she (Andromeda) had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw (Perseus) Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus (Perseus) saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the (Perseus) gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my (Cepheus) Father: but go to my (Orion & Auriga) brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

18 Mary Magdalene (Andromeda) came and told the (Gemini) disciples that she had (lunar eyeballs) seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the (Orion, Auriga & Perseus) disciples were assembled for fear of the (Gemini) Jews, came Jesus (Sagittarius) and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples (lunar smiling crescent) glad, when they (lunar eyeballs) saw the Lord.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my (Cepheus) Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the (Milky Way) Holy Ghost:

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other (Gemini) disciples therefore said unto him, We have (lunar eyeballs) seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall (lunar eyeballs) see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his (Gemini) disciples were within, and Thomas (Perseus) with them: then came (Sagittarius) Jesus, the (solar) doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to (Perseus) Thomas, Reach hither thy (lunar) finger, and behold my (lunar) hands; and reach hither thy (lunar) hand, and thrust it into my (Aries) side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas (Perseus) answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29 Jesus (Sagittarius) saith unto him, Thomas (Perseus), because thou hast (lunar eyeballs) seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other (zodiac) signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his (Gemini) disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

If I Want Him to Live Until I Return, How Does That Concern You?

21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

The word naked signifies only that the upper garment or tunic has been laid aside, and does not imply a state of nudity. "The naked fishermen." (Juv. Sat 4:54)
"Cincinnatus was found ploughing naked and covered with dust. Put on your clothes, said the messenger, that I may deliver to you the mandates of the Senate and people of Rome." (Pliny Nat. Hist. 18:5)

8 And the other (Gemini) disciples came in a (Argo) little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a (solar) fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

10 Jesus (Orion) saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the (Gemini) disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus (Orion) then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my (Aries) lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my (Aries) sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my (Aries) sheep.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

The story, preserved by Tertullian ('De Priescr.,' 35; ' Ad Scorp.,' 15) and Eusebius ('Hist. Eccl.,' 3:1), that the apostle preferred crucifixion with his head downwards, on the plea that to be crucified as his Master was too great an honor for one that had denied his Lord.Tradition, from Tertullian downwards (Scorp. xv.; De Praescr. xxxv.), states that he was crucified. But when thou shalt be old — He lived about thirty-six years after this (67 AD); thou shalt stretch forth thy hands — To be nailed to the cross; and another shall gird thee — Such as were condemned to be crucified, were tied to the cross till the nails were driven in; and shall carry thee — With the cross; whither thou wouldest not — According to nature: to the place where the cross was to be set up. In other words, Instead of that liberty which in thy youth thou enjoyedst, thou shalt in thine old age be bound and carried to prison and to death. Ancient writers say that Peter was put to death about thirty-four years after this (65 AD). His precise age at that time is not known. Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands - When Peter was put to death, we are told that he requested that he might be crucified with his head downward, saying that he who had denied his Lord as he had done was not worthy to die as he did. This expression of Christ may intimate the readiness of Peter thus to die. Though he was not at liberty as when he was young, though bound by others, yet he freely stretched out his hands on the cross, and was ready to give up his life. Another shall gird thee - Another shall bind thee. The limbs of persons crucified were often bound instead of being nailed, and even the body was sometimes girded to the cross. Follow me, intended the imitation of him, his death, or the particular kind of his death, is uncertain; unless we will allow this text to be interpreted by John 13:36 2 Peter 1:14.

19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

Behold He cometh [Revelation 1:7]. The apocalyptic visions recorded in the Revelation is meant by Christ’s ‘coming’ in this verse. It is remarkable that John was the last of the apostles; that he lived to nearly the close of the first century, and then died a peaceful death at Ephesus, being the only one, as is supposed, of the apostles who did not suffer martyrdom. The testimony of antiquity is clear on this point; and though there have been many idle conjectures about this passage and about the fate of John, yet no fact of history is better attested than that John died and was buried at Ephesus.

John, according to the prophecy, was to remain living, after having outlived all dangers, until the time should arrive, when, almost all his colleagues being long ago dead, the Jewish state overthrown, and the Christian Church established, he was to be the minister of the Apocalypse, the beginning and ending of which is that constantly recurring and solemn expression, He cometh, I come, Come, ch. Revelation 1:7, Revelation 22:20, etc.

24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.



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