John 21
CHAPTER 21
The risen Jesus appears in Galilee
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias; and he manifested himself in this way: 2 There was together Simon Peter and Thomas called Didymus and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and another two of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them: I am going fishing. They said to him: We will go with you. They went out and entered into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach. The disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus called to them: Boys, have you something to eat? They answered him: No. 6 And he said to them: Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you shall find. There they cast their net; and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord! So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat about him (for he was naked) and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, only about 100 meters from shore), dragging the net full of fishes.
9 So when they reached the shore, they got out of the boat; and saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon and bread. 10 Jesus said to them: Bring some of the fish which you have now taken. 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them: Come. Break your fast. And none of the disciples did inquire of him: Who are you? Knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
14 This was the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
Jesus challenges Peter
15 So when they had broken their fast, 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, 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: Tend my sheep. 17 He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he asked him a third time: Do you love me? And he said to him: Lord, you know all things. 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 girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you do not wish to go. 19 Now this he spoke, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said to him: Follow me.
20 Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following- he who had leaned back on his breast at the supper and asked: Lord, who is he that betrays you? 21 Peter therefore seeing him, said to Jesus: Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus said to him: If I will that he remains till I come, what is that to you? You follow me.
23 This saying therefore went forth among the brothers, that that disciple should not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he should not die, but: If I will that he remains till I come, what is that to you?
24 This is the disciple that testifies of these things and wrote these things; and we know that his witness is true.
25 And there are many other things which Jesus did, which if each one of them should be written down, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.
Commentary
21:5 Children- The Greek word is a kind of slang, dynamically equivalent of “Fellas!” or “Guys!”. Jesus was at such pains to show the disciples that although He has been exalted, He is very much with them, quite aware of colloquial language, and comfortable using it. This isn’t only yet another nail in the coffin of Trinitarianism; it comforts us, that our Lord is so with us and understanding of us.
21:11 The net wasn’t broken- showing that in being “fishers of men”, somehow our resources will not fail. 153 is the numerical value of the phrase “Sons of God”.
21:15 These- The pile of huge fish lying there? Do we love our occupations, our working life, more than the Lord?
21:17 The three questions, asked again by a fire, were to undo Peter’s three denials. Our love for Jesus personally is revealed in our care for His sheep.
21:22 We are so easily distracted from following the Lord by our focus upon the discipleship of others. If they follow Him, if they shall be saved, how they follow Him… so easily distracts from the call to us to personally follow Him and not take our focus off Him.
