Jesus Appears by the Sea of Tiberias
This final chapter adds an account about the...
This final chapter adds an account about the resurrected Jesus in Galilee (21:1–14) and records the exchange between Peter and Jesus concerning Peter’s love (21:15–23). The chapter ends by summarizing the authority and importance of John’s eyewitness report (21:24–25).
1Later, by the Sea of Tiberias,† Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples. He made Himself known in this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,† Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus. 5So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered.
6He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea. 8The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.†
9When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.
None of the disciples dared to ask him,...
None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” Jesus’ resurrected appearance was different. His offer of fish and bread removed all uncertainties (cp. 6:11; Luke 24:30).
12“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.
14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
do you love me? The three questions and...
- do you love me? The three questions and affirmations mirror Peter’s three denials (18:15–18, 25–27). Jesus invited Peter to reaffirm everything he had denied.
- The Greek term translated love in Jesus’ first two questions (agapaō) is different from the word in his third question (phileō). In each case, Peter answered with the second word (phileō). Most Greek scholars view the two words as synonyms in this situation. The focus of Jesus’ exchange with Peter was not the quality of Peter’s love, but Peter’s commission to take care of Jesus’ flock. Peter might be meditating on these events in 1 Pet 5:2–4.
15When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
16Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
17Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
18Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else† will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”
Jesus and the Beloved Disciple
“What about him, Lord?” Peter asked Jesus about...
“What about him, Lord?” Peter asked Jesus about the fate of John, wondering if he, too, would experience martyrdom. Jesus’ answer was abrupt: It was not Peter’s business to know how or when John would die. Peter’s only task was to follow Jesus, which John was already doing. This episode forms the core of John’s concept of discipleship: What matters most for the disciple of Jesus is to follow him and do his will, come what may.
20Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus† at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”
24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true.
25There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written.