John 21 · WEB
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John 21

Breakfast by the sea

After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.

But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”

He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.

But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.

Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.

In Galilee, Peter and six other disciples fish all night and catch nothing; at dawn a figure on the shore tells them to cast the net on the right side, and they haul in a huge catch. The beloved disciple recognises Jesus, and Peter jumps into the water. On shore Jesus has a charcoal fire with fish and bread, and serves them breakfast.

What does this mean?

"Children, have ye any meat?" (KJV) means "Friends, have you caught anything to eat?" "Naked" (KJV, WEB) probably means stripped for work, in a light undergarment. Two hundred cubits is about 90 metres (100 yards).

Historical context

Fishing on the Sea of Galilee was often done at night with nets. "The sons of Zebedee", James and John, are mentioned only here in John's Gospel. Luke 5 tells a similar story of a miraculous catch at the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

Why does it matter?

Many symbolic meanings have been proposed for the 153 fish, none certain. The meal of bread and fish recalls the feeding in chapter 6, and the charcoal fire recalls the fire where Peter denied Jesus (18:18).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Jesus and Peter

So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves him, and each time Peter says yes and Jesus tells him to feed or tend his sheep. Peter is hurt at being asked a third time. Jesus then hints at how Peter will die, and tells him, "Follow me."

What does this mean?

Two different Greek verbs for love are used. The KJV translates both as "love"; the WEB distinguishes "love" and "have affection". Interpreters differ on whether the variation is significant or simply stylistic. "Stretch forth thy hands" (KJV) was understood as a reference to crucifixion.

Historical context

Early Christian tradition says Peter died as a martyr in Rome, probably under the emperor Nero in the 60s, and later accounts say he was crucified. The narrator's comment suggests Peter's death had already happened when this was written.

Why does it matter?

The threefold question is widely understood as undoing Peter's threefold denial (18:17-27). The shepherd language recalls chapter 10: Peter is entrusted with caring for the flock of the good shepherd.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

The beloved disciple and the close of the Gospel

Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” This saying therefore went out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

Peter sees the beloved disciple following and asks what will happen to him. Jesus answers that if he wants him to remain until he returns, that is not Peter's concern. The narrator corrects a rumour that this disciple would not die, identifies him as the witness who wrote these things, and closes by saying the world could not hold all the books about what Jesus did.

What does this mean?

"Till I come" refers to Jesus' expected return. "We know that his testimony is true" speaks in a plural voice, apparently of a group vouching for the beloved disciple's witness.

Historical context

The Gospel itself is anonymous. Second-century Christian writers attributed it to John son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve; many modern scholars think it was shaped by a community connected with the beloved disciple, and its authorship and date remain debated.

Why does it matter?

The correction of the rumour suggests the beloved disciple had died, or was very old, when this chapter was written. The closing hyperbole echoes 20:30 and stresses that the Gospel is a deliberate selection, not a complete record.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

You’ve finished the Gospel of John.

21 chapters, 879 verses, read in order.

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Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

Chapters

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21

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Reading

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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