Jean 21

1 Après cela, Jésus se fit encore voir aux disciples près de la mer de Tibériade, et il se fit voir de cette manière:

2 Simon Pierre, et Thomas, appelé Didyme, Nathanaël, qui était de Cana en Galilée, les fils de Zébédée et deux autres de ses disciples étaient ensemble.

3 Simon Pierre leur dit: Je vais pêcher. Ils lui dirent: Nous allons aussi avec toi. Ils sortirent, et entrèrent aussitôt dans la barque; mais ils ne prirent rien cette nuit-là.

4 Le matin étant venu, Jésus se trouva sur le rivage; mais les disciples ne savaient pas que c'était Jésus.

5 Jésus leur dit: Enfants, n'avez-vous rien à manger? Ils lui répondirent: Non.

6 Et il leur dit: Jetez le filet du côté droit de la barque, et vous trouverez. Ils le jetèrent donc, et ils ne pouvaient plus le retirer, à cause de la quantité de poissons.

7 C'est pourquoi le disciple que Jésus aimait, dit à Pierre: C'est le Seigneur! Et Simon Pierre apprenant que c'était le Seigneur, se ceignit de sa robe de dessus (car il était nu), et se jeta à la mer.

8 Mais les autres disciples vinrent avec la barque, traînant le filet plein de poissons, car ils n'étaient éloignés de terre que d'environ deux cents coudées.

9 Quand ils furent descendus à terre, ils virent de la braise qui était là, et du poisson dessus, et du pain.

10 Jésus leur dit: Apportez de ces poissons que vous avez pris maintenant.

11 Simon Pierre remonta, et tira le filet à terre, plein de cent cinquante-trois grands poissons, et quoiqu'il y en eût tant, le filet ne se rompit point.

12 Jésus leur dit: Venez dîner. Et aucun des disciples n'osait lui demander: Qui es-tu? sachant que c'était le Seigneur.

13 Jésus donc s'approcha, et prit du pain, et leur en donna, ainsi que du poisson.

14 C'était déjà la troisième fois que Jésus se faisait voir à ses disciples, après être ressuscité des morts.

15 Après qu'ils eurent dîné, Jésus dit à Simon Pierre: Simon, fils de Jona, m'aimes-tu plus que ceux-ci? Pierre répondit: Oui, Seigneur, tu sais que je t'aime. Jésus lui dit: Pais mes agneaux.

16 Il lui dit une seconde fois: Simon, fils de Jona, m'aimes-tu? Pierre lui répondit: Oui, Seigneur, tu sais que je t'aime. Jésus lui dit: Pais mes brebis.

17 Il lui dit pour la troisième fois: Simon, fils de Jona, m'aimes-tu? Pierre fut attristé de ce qu'il lui avait dit pour la troisième fois: M'aimes-tu? Et il lui dit: Seigneur, tu connais toutes choses, tu sais que je t'aime. Jésus lui dit: Pais mes brebis.

18 En vérité, en vérité je te le dis; lorsque tu étais plus jeune, tu te ceignais toi-même, et tu allais où tu voulais; mais lorsque tu seras vieux, tu étendras tes mains, et un autre te ceindra, et te mènera où tu ne voudrais pas.

19 Or, il dit cela pour marquer par quelle mort Pierre glorifierait Dieu. Et après avoir ainsi parlé, il lui dit: Suis-moi.

20 Et Pierre s'étant retourné, vit venir après lui le disciple que Jésus aimait, celui qui, pendant le souper, s'était penché sur le sein de Jésus, et lui avait dit: Seigneur, qui est celui qui te trahit?

21 Pierre donc l'ayant vu, dit à Jésus: Seigneur, et celui-ci, que lui arrivera-t-il?

22 Jésus lui dit: Si je veux qu'il demeure jusqu'à ce que je vienne, que t'importe? Toi, suis-moi.

23 Le bruit se répandit donc parmi les frères, que ce disciple ne mourrait point. Cependant Jésus ne lui avait pas dit: Il ne mourra point; mais: Si je veux qu'il demeure jusqu'à ce que je vienne, que t'importe?

24 C'est ce disciple qui rend témoignage de ces choses, et qui les a écrites; et nous savons que son témoignage est véritable.

25 Il y a encore beaucoup d'autres choses que Jésus a faites, et si elles étaient écrites en détail, je ne pense pas que le monde même pût contenir les livres qu'on en écrirait. Amen.

Jean 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 .