John 21

John 21:1

X. EPILOGUE: THE RISEN SON WITH HIS OWN (Chap. 21) A. Christ Appears to His Disciples in Galilee (21:1-14) 21:1 The scene now changes to the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). The disciples had journeyed north to their homes in Galilee. The Lord Jesus met them there. The phrase in this way He showed Himself means John is about to describe the manner in which Christ appeared to them. 21:2 Seven of the disciples were together at the timePeter, Thomas, Nathanael, James and John (the sons of Zebedee), and two others whose names we do not know. 21:3 Simon Peter decided to go fishing on the lake, and the others agreed to go with him. This seemed to be a most natural decision, though some Bible students feel that the trip was not in the will of God and that they went without first praying. That night they caught nothing. They were not the first fishermen to spend a night fishing without success! They illustrate the uselessness of human efforts apart from divine help, especially in the matter of fishing for souls. 21:4 Jesus was waiting for them as they rowed toward the shore in the morning, although they did not recognize Him. Perhaps it was still quite dark, or perhaps they were prevented from knowing Him by God’s power. 21:5 It is the same as if the Lord asked, Young men, have you anything to eat? Disappointedly they answered Him, No.21:6 As far as they knew, He was just a stranger, walking along the shore. Yet, in response to His advice, they cast the net on the right side of the boat, and lo and behold! A great load of fish. So many that they could not pull in the net! This shows that the Lord Jesus had perfect knowledge as to the location of the fish in the lake. It also teaches us that when the Lord directs our service, there are no more empty nets. He knows where there are souls ready to be saved, and He is willing to direct us to themif we will let Him. 21:7 John was the first to recognize the Lord and promptly told Peter. The latter put on his outer garment and went to the shore. We are not told whether he swam or waded, or walked on the water (as some suggest). 21:8 The other disciples transferred from the large fishing boat to a little rowboat and dragged the net the remaining three hundred feet to land. 21:9 The Savior had their breakfast all readybroiled fish and bread. We do not know whether the Lord caught these fish or whether He obtained them miraculously. But we do learn that He is not dependent on our poor efforts. Doubtless in heaven we shall learn that while many people were saved through preaching and personal witness, many others were saved by the Lord Himself without any human help. 21:10 He now instructed them to pull in the net with the fishnot to cook them, but to count them. In doing so, they would be reminded that the secret of success is to work at His command and to act with implicit obedience to His Word.21:11 The Bible gives the exact number of fish in the netone hundred and fifty-three. Many interesting explanations have been offered as to the meaning of this number: (1) The number of languages in the world at that time. (2) The number of races or tribes in the world, toward which the gospel net would be spread out. (3) The number of different kinds of fish in the sea of Galilee, or in the world. There is no doubt that it speaks of the variety of those who would be saved through the preaching of the gospelsome from every tribe and nation. The fishermen knew that it was remarkable that the net had not broken. This is further evidence that God’s work carried on in God’s way will never lack God’s resources. He will see that the net does not break. 21:12 The invitation to breakfast is heard, and the disciples gather around the fire of coals to partake of the good things the Lord had provided. Peter must have had his own thoughts as he saw the fire of coals. Was he reminded of the fire at which he warmed himself when he denied the Lord? The disciples felt a strange sense of awe and solemnity in the presence of the Lord. There He stood in His resurrection body. There were many questions they would like to have asked Him. But they did not dare. They knew it was the Lordeven if they felt a certain sense of mystery shrouded His Person. 21:13 Jesus now served breakfast to them. And they were probably reminded of a similar occasion when He fed the five thousand with a few loaves and fishes. 21:14 This was the third time mentioned by John that Jesus appeared to His disciples. That there were other times is clear from the other Gospels. In this Gospel, He appeared to the disciples on the evening of the day of the resurrection, then one week later, and now by the shore of blue Lake Galilee.

John 21:15

B. The Restoration of Peter (21:15-17) 21:15 The Lord first took care of their physical needs. Then when they were warm and had eaten, He turned to Peter and dealt with spiritual matters. Peter had publicly denied the Lord three times. Since then, he had repented and had been restored to fellowship with the Lord. In these verses, Peter’s restoration is publicly acknowledged by the Lord. It has often been pointed out that two different words for love are used in these verses. We might paraphrase verse 15 as follows: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these other disciples love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, you know that I am fond of You. Peter would no longer boast that he would never forsake the Lord, even if all the other disciples did. He had learned his lesson. Feed My lambs, Jesus said. A very practical way of demonstrating love for Christ is by feeding the young ones in His flock. It is interesting to note that the conversation had changed from fishing to shepherding. The former speaks of the works of evangelism; while the latter suggests teaching and pastoral care. 21:16 For the second time, the Lord asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter replied the second time, with genuine distrust of himself, You know that I am fond of You. This time He said to him, Tend My sheep. There are lambs and sheep in Christ’s flock, and they need the loving care of one who loves the Shepherd. 21:17 Just as Peter had denied the Lord thrice, so he was given three opportunities to confess Him. This time, Peter appealed to the fact that Jesus was God and therefore knew all things. He said the third time, You know that I am fond of You. And for the last time, he was told that he could demonstrate this by feeding Christ’s sheep. In this passage, the underlying lesson is that love for Christ is the only acceptable motive for serving Him.

John 21:18

C. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Death (21:18-23) 21:18 When Peter was younger, he had great freedom of movement. He went where he wished. But the Lord here told him that at the end of his life, he would be arrested, bound, and carried off to execution. 21:19 This explains verse 18. Peter would glorify God by dying as a martyr. He who had denied the Lord would be given courage to lay down his life for Him. The verse reminds us that we can glorify God in death as well as in life. Then Jesus exclaimed, Follow Me! As He said it, He must have started to leave. 21:20 It seems that Peter began to follow the Lord, and then turning around, saw John following too. Here John paused to identify himself as the one who also had leaned on Jesus’ breast at the Passover Supper, and had asked the name of the betrayer. 21:21 As Peter saw John, the thought probably crossed his mind, What about John? Is he going to die as a martyr too? Or will he still be alive when the Lord comes back again? He asked the Lord concerning John’s future. 21:22 The Lord’s answer was that Peter should not be concerned about John’s latter days. Even if he were to survive until the Second Coming of Christ, this should not make any difference to Peter. Many failures in Christian service arise from disciples’ being more occupied with one another than with the Lord Himself. 21:23 The Lord’s words were misquoted. He did not say that John would still be alive when He came back again. He only said that even if that were the case, why should that affect Peter? Many see significance in the fact that Jesus here linked John with His Second Advent, and that John was the one who was privileged to write the Revelation of Jesus Christ, describing the end times in great detail.

John 21:24

D. John’s Closing Witness to Jesus (21:24, 25) 21:24 John added a word of personal testimony to the accuracy of the things which he had written. Others take this as the attestation of the elders of the church in Ephesus to John’s Gospel. 21:25 We have no fear in taking verse 25 literally! Jesus is God and is therefore infinite. There is no limit to the meaning of His words or to the number of His works. While He was here on earth, He was still the Upholder of all thingsthe sun, moon, and stars. Who could ever describe all that is involved in keeping the universe in motion? Even in His miracles on earth, we have only the barest description.

In a simple act of healing, think of the nerves, muscles, blood corpuscles, and other members that He controlled. Think of His direction of germs, fishes, animal life. Think of His guidance in the affairs of men. Think of His control over the atomic structure of every bit of matter in the universe. Could the world itself possibly contain the books to describe such infinite details? The answer is an emphatic No.And so we come to the end of our commentary on John’s Gospel.

Perhaps we realize a little better why it has come to be one of the best loved parts of the Bible. Certainly one can scarcely read it thoughtfully and prayerfully without falling in love afresh with the blessed Person whom it presents.