John 21:4

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn't realize it was Jesus.

John 21:4 Meaning and Commentary

John 21:4

But when the morning was now come
The day began to dawn, and light to appear, very early in the morning; for Christ visits his right early, and is a present help to them in their time of trouble.

Jesus stood on the shore:
on firm ground, whilst his disciples were beating about in the waves, and toiling to no purpose. So Christ, risen from the dead, is glorified, is in heaven; but not unmindful of his people amidst all their afflictions in this world:

but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus;
though he was so near them that they could hear what he said; but it not being broad daylight they could not distinctly discern him, or their eyes might be held that they could not know him. So Christ is sometimes near his people, and they know it not.

John 21:4 In-Context

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two other disciples were together.

3 Simon Peter told them, "I'm going fishing." They said, "We'll go with you." They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn't realize it was Jesus.

5 Jesus called to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No."

6 He said, "Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn't haul in the net.