John 21

Simon Peter and six other disciples go fishing 1
Someone calls to them; they cast the net on the other side 4
Jesus gives them bread and fish 9
Jesus asks Peter three times to feed His sheep and lambs 15
Peter wants to know about John and Jesus tells him it is not his concern 20
Jesus did many other things not recorded 23
Text Comments
.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.
  1 - After these things After Christ's second appearance in the upper room jn2026.
  1 - Sea of Tiberias jn0601. Named for the Roman emperor then in power.
  3 - I go a fishing Apparently the disciples needed some money. They weren't leaving their calling. They had come to Galilee to meet Christ mt2816. Fishing had been the trade of at least some of them mt0418, mt0421. Night was considered the best time to fish in the clear waters.
.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.
 8  And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
  4 - Knew not Compare lu2416, jn2014.
  5 - Children This is the only record of Jesus' use of this Greek word. Compare John's use 1jn0213.
  5 - Meat Greek prosphagion meaning food exclusive of bread. In this situation, probably "fish." The form of the word indicates that a negative answer was expected.
  6 - Right side A lesson in faith and cooperation with divinity. We expect that Jesus was seen from that side of the boat.
  6 - Multitude of fishes A powerful reminder of their call to ministry lu0511.
  7 - Naked It was likely hot. He obviously wasn't dressed to meet Jesus but no doubt had on an undergarment.
  7 - Cast himself Do we have this enthusiasm? Peter figured he could arrive at the shore quicker by swimming.
  8 - Dragging the net The work of the Lord also needs people who are responsible. Peter does his share in v11. 200 cubits is about 100 yards or 90 m.

Cana of Galilee, home of Nathaniel, v2
.9  As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
 10  Jesus 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 disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
 13  Jesus 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.
  9 - Fire of coals Compare jn1818.
  9 - Fish Opsarion Compare v5. Jesus understood the burden of the weary fishermen. And he cares for us.
  11 - Not ... broken When Jesus gives us a task He provides for it.
  13 - Bread ... and fish This was not the first time He had given them bread and fish lu0913. They were forgetting the lesson.
   14 - Third time ... disciples He had also shown Himself to the women mt2809, jn2011ff.
.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 lambs.    Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas It was easy for Peter, as it is for some of us, to hear the messages of Jesus and apply them to others.
   More than these He had been fishing with his friends. Perhaps Jesus was challenging his desire to return to fishing. When Jesus had first invited Peter and others, they left their fishing business (and father Zebedee) immediately mt0418. Was Peter now reluctant to take up the the calling Jesus had given?
   Lovest Greek agapos, love based on principle. Peter responded with the word phileö meaning a friendship love.
   Feed my lambs Peter had received food. Jesus confirmed the call to provide spiritual food for others. 
 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 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 sheep.
   16 - Second time The two words for "love" were used again as in v15.
   17 - Third time ... lovest Jesus, this time, used the word phileis and Peter replied with phileö as before . We may assume that Jesus requires both kinds of love. For Peter, the heart love, phileö, may have had the deeper meaning.
   Peter had denied Jesus three times mr1466ff. Here the calling is restored.
.18  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst 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.
 19  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
  18 - Stretch forth thy hands The explanation in v19 indicates that Jesus spoke of Peter's death. It is thought that he was crucified having requested that it be upside down feeling that to be crucified as his master was would be too great an honor. The metaphor is of dressing and has more implications.
  19 - Glorify God As a witness. Compare 1pe0416.
  19 - Follow me Again the call to ministry emphasizing that he should follow Christ in leading the sheep. 1pe0221.
.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.
  21 - What shall this man do? This verse and the next offer important lessons for us and how we are to relate to the mission of others.
.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?
.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.
  24 - Testifieth John wrote as a witness, not as taking dictation. Compare lu0101ff.
  25 - Could not contain What marvelous things we may learn about our Lord in heaven!
  25 - Amen See on mt0518.

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This is the end of the Gospel according to John.