John 21
CHAPTER 21
John 21:1-23 . SUPPLEMENTARY PARTICULARS.
(That this chapter was added by another hand has been asserted, against clear evidence to the contrary, by some late critics, chiefly because the Evangelist had concluded his part of the work with John 20:30 John 20:31 . But neither in the Epistles of the New Testament, nor in other good authors, is it unusual to insert supplementary matter, and so have more than one conclusion).
1, 2. Jesus showed himself again--manifested himself again.
and on this wise he manifested himself--This way of speaking shows that after His resurrection He appeared to them but occasionally, unexpectedly, and in a way quite unearthly, though yet really and corporeally.
3-6. Peter saith unto them, I go a
that night . . . caught nothing--as at the first miraculous draught strike them the more by contrast. The same principle is seen in operation throughout much of Christ's ministry, and is indeed a great law of God's spiritual procedure with His people.
4. Jesus stood--(Compare John 20:19 John 20:26 ).
but the disciples knew not it was Jesus--Perhaps there had been some considerable interval since the last manifestation, and having agreed to betake themselves to their secular employment, they would be unprepared to expect Him.
5. Children--This term would not necessarily identify Him, being not unusual from any superior; but when they did recognize Him, they would feel it sweetly like Himself.
have ye any meat?--provisions, supplies, meaning fish.
They answered . . . No--This was in His wonted style, making them tell their case, and so the better prepare them for what was coming.
6. he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship--no doubt, by this very specific direction, intending to reveal to them His knowledge of the deep and power over it.
7-11. that disciple whom Jesus loved, said, It is the Lord--again having the advantage of his brother in quickness of recognition all his own.
he was naked--his vest only on, worn next the body.
cast himself into the sea--the shallow part, not more than a hundred yards from the water's edge ( John 21:8 ), not meaning therefore to swim, but to get sooner to Jesus than in the full boat which they could hardly draw to shore.
8. the other disciples came in a little ship--by ship.
9. they saw--"see."
a fire of coals, and fish laid thereon, and bread--By comparing this with 1 Kings 19:6 , and similar passages, the unseen agency by which Jesus made this provision will appear evident.
10. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish ye have now caught--Observe the double supply thus provided--His and theirs. The meaning of this will perhaps appear presently.