John 21:22 (KJV) reads: "Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."

This passage comes at the end of the Gospel of John, in which Jesus speaks to Peter about his future. The context of this verse is important to understand its deeper meaning. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus has just appeared to his disciples for the third time after his resurrection. He has a special interaction with Peter, in which he asks him three times if he loves him, and then instructs him to "Feed my sheep" as a way of commissioning Peter to continue his work on earth.

After this, Peter sees the disciple whom Jesus loved, presumably John, and asks Jesus what will happen to him. It is in response to Peter's question that Jesus says, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."

The meaning of this verse is two-fold. Firstly, Jesus is reminding Peter (and by extension, all believers) that each person has their own unique path and calling. We should not concern ourselves with comparing our journey to others or trying to understand or control what will happen to others. Instead, we should focus on following Jesus and fulfilling the specific purpose and mission that he has given to us. This is a powerful reminder that in the Christian walk, comparison and envy have no place. Each person's journey is distinct and equally valuable in the eyes of God.

Secondly, this verse also contains a hint of eschatological teaching. The phrase "till I come" may be a reference to the second coming of Christ. In this interpretation, Jesus is essentially saying that it is not our place to know or speculate about the timing of future events, including the return of Christ. This echoes Jesus' teaching in other parts of the gospels that no one knows the day or the hour of his return, and that we should live faithfully and obediently in the present moment, rather than getting caught up in trying to predict or control the future.

The themes present in this verse include obedience, individual calling, and eschatology. The message of following Jesus and not concerning ourselves with the paths of others is a challenging and important one. It requires a humility and trust in God's sovereignty, as well as a willingness to lay down our own desires for control and understanding. This verse also serves as a reminder to stay faithful and focused on our daily walk with Christ, rather than getting distracted by speculations about future events or the experiences of others.

Symbolically, this verse can be seen as a call to trust in God's plan and timing, and to focus on our own spiritual growth and discipleship. It is a call to let go of comparison and jealousy, and to embrace the uniqueness of our own journey. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of the ultimate hope of Christ's return and the importance of faithful living in anticipation of that event.

In conclusion, John 21:22 contains a powerful message about individual calling, trust in God's timing, and faithful obedience to Jesus. It challenges us to let go of comparison and speculation, and to focus on following Christ in our own lives. It also offers a reminder of the ultimate hope of Christ's return and the importance of living faithfully in anticipation of that event. This verse continues to be a source of comfort, challenge, and guidance for believers as they seek to walk in obedience and faith.