John 21 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

John 21

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

21:1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards¹ off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 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 used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during 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? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers² 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 about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that 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.

Footnotes

[1] 21:8 Greek two hundred cubits; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
[2] 21:23 Or brothers and sisters

Commentary

v1-3: John sets the scene; the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee), 7 disciples fishing, a fruitless night's work.

v4-6: The vision and the command; and blessing through obedience, 1 Kings 17.15. Any work done in Jesus' strength at His command is fruitful, 1 Cor 15.58.

The result here was a multitude of fish, prefiguring what would happen at Pentecost.

v7: It was John who first recognised the Lord; here is spiritual perception, for He had often been close to Jesus.

Simon Peter, always quick to respond, dived into the water; in 20.3-7, he had rushed first into the empty tomb. We see also Peter’s boldness; later this matures, as seen in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and his words before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4).

John and Peter were different characters, but they clearly loved Jesus; their expression of that love was different.

v8: The disciples were in a 'little boat,' dragging a net full of fish.

v9: Practical kindness and caring; Jesus already had bread and fish for the disciples.

v10: Jesus asked for some of the fish they had just caught; He did not despise their work, giving value and dignity to what they had done.

v11: 153 fish, not one was lost (17.12; 2 Tim 2.19), and the net was not broken. Will not the Lord of the Church ensure that our "net" is always large enough and strong enough.

Sometimes the Lord calls us to carry a heavy load, to have more than the usual responsibilities. Sometimes life seems to conspire such that several major challenges arrive at the same time.

At such times we find that our nets do not break. God gives us ample strength for those days.

v12-14: Jesus served the breakfast; here is quality of leadership, setting an example.

The disciples were speechless with joy.

v15-16: Jesus took Peter aside, to deal with him, bringing forgiveness and acceptance and restoration. Jesus challenged Peter over his love for Him. See Mark 14.29,71.

v17: Peter was grieved at the three-fold question. This matched Peter's three-fold denial of the Lord. Sin must be dealt with properly; exposed, confessed, and forgiven; Prov 28.13; 1 John 1.9. We may confess too easily, without real meaning. Forgiveness promotes real love, Luke 7.47.

The special commission for Peter; feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. Peter had to teach both young Christians (lambs) and more mature Christians (sheep). A herdsman feeds, a shepherd tends; Peter was to be both, 1 Pet 5.1-4.

Christ's work demands a Christ-like character. If we are to feed His lambs, and His sheep, serving His church, then our character must be like Him.

v18-19: The prophesy that Peter would glorify God in His death, Ps 116.15. One mark of the Christian church has always been its martyrs; and always will be, Rev 12.11. We can glorify God throughout our lives, right to our final breath, and beyond; we can thus leave a glorious testimony to our Lord and Master. ‘See what a good Master they serve, and how they love Him.’

We note that Peter was dealt with individually, as were Mary and Thomas in chapter 20; the Lord knows His sheep.

Do you love me? A question of devotion and adoration; not of doctrine and understanding, not of practice and commitment; for all these must flow from a loving heart, see 14.21;23; 2 Cor 5.14; 1 John 3.16-18.

v20-21: Peter pointed the finger towards John; but our first responsibility is our own lives, Rom 14.12; 2 Cor 5.10. We may fall into an attitude of criticism or interference; it is better to endorse or commend.

v22-23: The problem of misunderstanding, which spread from the seven disciples hr to "the brothers."

v24: See 19.35; eye-witness testimony; we have confidence that these things really happened.

v25: The events recorded are selected; for Jesus did so much in a short period of ministry.