John 21

1 Afterward Jesus again showed him(self) to his disciples, at the sea of Tiberias. And he showed him(self) thus.

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, that is said Didymus, and Nathanael, that was of the Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and twain other of his disciples [and two other of his disciples].

3 Simon Peter saith to them, I go to fish. They say to him, And we come with thee. And they went out, and went into a boat. And in that night they took nothing.

4 But when the morrow was come, Jesus stood in the brink; nevertheless the disciples knew not, that it was Jesus.

5 Therefore Jesus saith to them, Children, whether ye have any supping thing? They answered to him, Nay.

6 He said to them, Put ye [Send ye] the net into the right half of the rowing, and ye shall find. And they putted the net; and then they might not draw it for multitude of fishes [Therefore they sent the net, and now they might not draw it, for multitude of fishes].

7 Therefore that disciple, whom Jesus loved, said to Peter, It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he had heard that it is the Lord, girt him(self) with a coat, for he was naked, and went into the sea [Simon Peter, when he had heard for it was the Lord, girt him with a coat, soothly he was naked, and sent him into the sea].

8 But the other disciples came by boat, for they were not far from the land, but as a two hundred cubits [but as it were two hundred cubits], drawing the net of fishes.

9 And as they came down into the land, they saw coals lying, and fish laid on [and a fish put thereon], and bread.

10 Jesus saith to them, Bring ye of the fishes, which ye have taken now.

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net into the land, full of great fishes, an hundred fifty and three; and when they were so many, the net was not broken.

12 Jesus saith to them, Come ye, and eat ye. And no man of them that sat at the meat, durst ask him, Who art thou, witting that it is the Lord.

13 And Jesus came, and took bread, and gave to them, and fish also.

14 Now this [is the] third time Jesus was showed to his disciples, when he had risen again from death [when he rose again from dead].

15 And when they had eaten, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed thou my lambs [Feed my lambs].

16 Again he saith to him, Simon of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed thou my lambs.

17 He saith to him the third time, Simon of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was heavy [sorry], for he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me, and he saith to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep.

18 Truly, truly, I say to thee, when thou were younger, thou girdedest thee, and wanderedest where thou wouldest; but when thou shalt wax older, thou shalt hold forth thine hands, and another shall gird thee, and shall lead thee whither thou wilt not [and lead thee whither thou wilt not].

19 He said this thing, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said these things, he saith to him, Follow thou me.

20 Peter turned, and saw that disciple following, whom Jesus loved, which also rested in the supper on his breast, and said to him, Lord, who is it, that shall betray thee?

21 Therefore when Peter had seen this disciple, he saith to Jesus, Lord, but what this [Lord, what forsooth this]?

22 Jesus saith to him, So I will that he dwell till I come, what to thee? follow thou me.

23 Therefore this word went out among the brethren, that that disciple dieth not. And Jesus said not to him, that he dieth not, but, So I will that he dwell till I come, what to thee?

24 This is that disciple, that beareth witnessing of these things, and wrote them [that beareth witnessing of these things, and wrote these things]; and we know, that his witnessing is true.

25 And there be also many other things that Jesus did, which if they be written each by himself, I deem that the world itself shall not take the books, that be to be written. [Amen.] [Forsooth there be and many other signs, or miracles, that Jesus did, the which if they be written by each by himself, I guess neither the world himself be able to take the books, that be to be written. Amen.]

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 .