John 21

Jesus Appears to the Disciples in Galilee

1 After these [things] Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. Now he revealed [himself] in this way:
2 Simon Peter and Thomas (who was called Didymus) and Nathanael from Cana in Galilee and 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 also are coming with you." They went out and got into the boat, and during that night they caught nothing.
4 Now [when it] was already early morning, Jesus stood on the beach. However, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish to eat, [do you]? They answered him, "No."
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."
11 So Simon Peter got into [the boat] and hauled the net to the land, full of large fish--one hundred fifty-three--and [although there] were so many, the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, "Come, eat breakfast!" But none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" [because they] knew that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave [it] to them, and the fish likewise.
14 This [was] now [the] third [time] Jesus was revealed to the disciples [after he] had been raised from the dead.

Peter Is Restored Three Times

15 Now when they had eaten 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 again 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, "Shepherd my sheep!"
17 He said to him a third [time], "Simon [son] of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed because he said to him a 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 tied [your clothes] around yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will tie you up and carry [you] where you do not want [to go].
19 (Now he said this to indicate by what kind of death he would glorify God.) And [after he] had said this, he said to him, "Follow me!"

Peter and the Other Disciple Jesus Loved

20 Peter turned [and] saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following [them] (who also leaned back on his chest at the dinner and said, "Lord, who is the one betraying you?")
21 So [when he] saw this one, Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, but what about this one?"
22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you? You follow me!"
23 So this saying went out to the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you?"

A Concluding Word of Testimony

24 This is the disciple who is testifying about these [things], and who has written down these [things]. And we know that his testimony is true.
25 Now there are also many other [things] that Jesus did, which--if they were written down one after the other--I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.

John 21 Commentary

Chapter 21

Christ appears to his disciples. (1-14) His discourse with Peter. (15-19) Christ's declaration concerning John. (20-24) The conclusion. (25)

Verses 1-14 Christ makes himself known to his people, usually in his ordinances; but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when employed in their business. It is good for the disciples of Christ to be together in common conversation, and common business. The hour for their entering upon action was not come. They would help to maintain themselves, and not be burdensome to any. Christ's time of making himself known to his people, is when they are most at a loss. He knows the temporal wants of his people, and has promised them not only grace sufficient, but food convenient. Divine Providence extends itself to things most minute, and those are happy who acknowledge God in all their ways. Those who are humble, diligent, and patient, though their labours may be crossed, shall be crowned; they sometimes live to see their affairs take a happy turn, after many struggles. And there is nothing lost by observing Christ's orders; it is casting the net on the right side of the ship. Jesus manifests himself to his people by doing that for them which none else can do, and things which they looked not for. He would take care that those who left all for him, should not want any good thing. And latter favours are to bring to mind former favours, that eaten bread may not be forgotten. He whom Jesus loved was the first that said, It is the Lord. John had cleaved most closely to his Master in his sufferings, and knew him soonest. Peter was the most zealous, and reached Christ the first. How variously God dispenses his gifts, and what difference there may be between some believers and others in the way of their honouring Christ, yet they all may be accepted of him! Others continue in the ship, drag the net, and bring the fish to shore, and such persons ought not to be blamed as worldly; for they, in their places, are as truly serving Christ as the others. The Lord Jesus had provision ready for them. We need not be curious in inquiring whence this came; but we may be comforted at Christ's care for his disciples. Although there were so many, and such great fishes, yet they lost none, nor damaged their net. The net of the gospel has enclosed multitudes, yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to God.

Verses 15-19 Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeited that of Peter through his denying him. He now answered, Thou knowest that I love thee; but without professing to love Jesus more than others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called into question, when we ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned sins, renews the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity, Peter solemnly appealed to Christ, as knowing all things, even the secrets of his heart. It is well when our falls and mistakes make us more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it behoves us to inquire with earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and prove us, whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?

Verses 20-24 Sufferings, pains, and death, will appear formidable even to the experienced Christian; but in the hope to glorify God, to leave a sinful world, and to be present with his Lord, he becomes ready to obey the Redeemer's call, and to follow Him through death to glory. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should mind their own duty, and not be curious about future events, either as to themselves or others. Many things we are apt to be anxious about, which are nothing to us. Other people's affairs are nothing to us, to intermeddle in; we must quietly work, and mind our own business. Many curious questions are put about the counsels of God, and the state of the unseen world, as to which we may say, What is this to us? And if we attend to the duty of following Christ, we shall find neither heart nor time to meddle with that which does not belong to us. How little are any unwritten traditions to be relied upon! Let the Scripture be its own interpreter, and explain itself; as it is, in a great measure, its own evidence, and proves itself, for it is light. See the easy setting right such mistakes by the word of Christ. Scripture language is the safest channel for Scripture truth; the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, 1Co. 2:13 . Those who cannot agree in the same terms of art, and the application of them, may yet agree in the same Scripture terms, and to love one another.

Verse 25 Only a small part of the actions of Jesus had been written. But let us bless God for all that is in the Scriptures, and be thankful that there is so much in so small a space. Enough is recorded to direct our faith, and regulate our practice; more would have been unnecessary. Much of what is written is overlooked, much forgotten, and much made the matter of doubtful disputes. We may, however, look forward to the joy we shall receive in heaven, from a more complete knowledge of all Jesus did and said, as well as of the conduct of his providence and grace in his dealings with each of us. May this be our happiness. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name, ch. 20:31 .

Footnotes 23

  • [a]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  • [b]. The Greek term means "the Twin"
  • [c]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was")
  • [d]. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase "[do you]"
  • [e]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  • [f]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  • [g]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
  • [h]. I.e., "he was naked underneath the outer garment," which he tucked into his belt; alternatively, this could mean "for he was stripped for work"
  • [i]. Approximately 100 yards or 92 meters, based on a cubit of 18 inches.
  • [j]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  • [k]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  • [l]. *Here "[although]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("were") which is understood as concessive
  • [m]. *Here "[because]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("knew") which is understood as causal
  • [n]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  • [o]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("had been raised") which is understood as temporal
  • [p]. *The words "[your clothes]" are not in the Greek text but are implied
  • [q]. *The words "[to go]" are not in the Greek text but are implied
  • [r]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("had said") which is understood as temporal
  • [s]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("turned") has been translated as a finite verb
  • [t]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  • [u]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("saw") which is understood as temporal
  • [v]. *The words "[is that]" are not in the Greek text but are supplied in keeping with English style
  • [w]. *The words "[is that]" are not in the Greek text but are supplied in keeping with English style

John 21 Commentaries

Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.