John 21:8

8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net of fish, because they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away.

John 21:8 Meaning and Commentary

John 21:8

And the other disciples came in a little ship
The same that they were fishing in, in which they came to Christ as soon as they could, not choosing to expose themselves, as Peter did; nor was it proper that they should leave the ship, and, as it was, might have hands few enough to bring ship and net, so full of fish, safe to shore; and the rather, they did not think fit to do as he did,

for they were not far from land, but, as it were, two hundred
cubits;
which was about an hundred yards:

dragging the net with fishes:
towing the net full of fishes all along in the water, till they came to land; an emblem of laborious Gospel ministers, who being once embarked in the work of the ministry, continue in it to the end, notwithstanding all toil, labour, and difficulties that attend them; and will at last bring the souls with them they have been made useful to, with great satisfaction and joy, to their dear Lord and master.

John 21:8 In-Context

6 And he said to them, "Throw the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find [some]." So they threw [it], and were no longer able to haul it in from the large number of the fish.

7 Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" So Simon Peter, [when he] heard that it was the Lord, tied around himself his outer garment (for he was naked) and threw himself into the sea.

8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net of fish, because they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away.

9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire laid [there], and a fish lying on [it], and bread.

10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just now caught."

Footnotes

• [a]. Approximately 100 yards or 92 meters, based on a cubit of 18 inches.