John 21:1–25 is Likely A Later Addition to the Bible
Suppose evidence exists that a chapter, verse, passage, or entity within the Bible is a later addition. In that case, it can be deemed inauthentic and, therefore, unauthoritative.
Helmut Koester (1926–2016) was a Harvard professor of New Testament studies and a leading scholar of New Testament exegesis and the history of Christianity.
In
Introduction to the New Testament, Volume 2, Koester asserted that John 21:1–25, although present in all existing manuscripts, is widely considered a later addition.
Additionally,
based on six academic points, one scholarly article titled John 21 is Probably Not Original to the Gospel proclaims, ‘John 21 is probably not original to the fourth gospel. It is likely an addition to a text that initially ended at John 20:31.... I think there once existed a source that concluded with 20:30-31, and that chapter 21 was added onto that at a later time.’
In conclusion, John 21:1–25 is likely a later addition to the Bible and thus can be considered inauthentic and, therefore, unauthoritative.