John 21

1 shewed Himself. Better, as R.V., “manifested Himself”: cp. ii. 11.

at the sea of Tiberias. Resuming their former occupation (3) amidst the old scenes, in the district where the Lord had promised to meet them (Matt. xxvi. 32; xxviii. 10). They did not feel that honest work for a livelihood was inconsistent with waiting for their Lord.

3 a ship. Rather, “the boat,” as R.V.—that which still belonged to their relatives.

4 when the morning was now come. Rather, as R.V., “when day was now breaking.”

knew not. Perhaps from the dimness of the early dawn: or our Lord may have purposely concealed Himself for a while (Luke xxiv. 16).

5 children. Better translated “lads.”

any meat. “Anything to eat.” The word literally denotes anything to be eaten with bread.

7. Therefore, etc. John’s mind evidently reverted to the former miraculous draught of fishes; and he concluded at once, “It is the Lord.” This repetition of the “sign” would recall to their minds the lesson and encouragement then given: see Luke v. 5-10, and notes.

Now, when Simon Peter heard, etc. John, the more thoughtful, is the first to perceive; Peter, the more ardent, is the first to act.

he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, etc. He put on his outer garment, which he had taken off for work; and he girt it close, so that he could swim. It was a sort of frock or blouse, reaching to the knees.

8 two hundred cubits. About one hundred yards.

11 went up. Or, “went on board,” to unfasten the net and bring it ashore.

one hundred, fifty and three. Those who have watched in a fishing village the boats come in, will appreciate the reality of this. The fishermen, sharing a boat, still count “the catch.”

12. Come [and] dine. Better, in modern speech, “Come and breakfast.”

none of the disciples durst ask Him. The evidence was so complete, that the most incredulous “durst” not “question Him,” to gain further proof.

14. This is now the third time, etc. Meaning, probably, the third appearance to the assembled disciples, recorded by John.

15 dined. “Breakfasted.”

Simon, [son] of Jonas. Our Lord addresses Peter not by the name which He Himself had given him, but by his former name; perhaps to remind him of his frailty and his fall: cp. Mark xiv. 37; Luke xxii. 31.

more than these. That is, more than thy brethren do; referring to Peter’s recent profession (see Matt. xxvi. 33). Peter, no longer comparing himself with them, humbly declares to the Searcher of hearts that his love is sincere, although it had sadly failed in the hour of trial. “Thou knowest” is emphatic.

Feed my lambs. Before re-establishing the disciple who had denied him “thrice” in the apostleship, our Lord gives him the opportunity of thrice professing his attachment. The Chief Shepherd will soon depart. Show thy love to Him by care for those whom He leaves behind. This charge was evidently in the apostle’s mind when he wrote his Epistle (see 1 Pet. v. 2-4).

17 the third time. The thrice-repeated question might well grieve Peter, reminding him of his thrice-repeated denial. But it also gave our Lord opportunity for repeating the assurance that he was reinstated in his office.

lovest. In the text two different words are alike translated “lovest”: the word used in the first and second questions being a word which generally implies esteem as well as love; the other, found in the third question, and in all Peter’s replies, being appropriate to natural personal affection. David Smith well translates the word used here (ἀγαπᾶς) in the first and second questions by “regard”; and the word (φιλεῖς) used in the third question as “love.” The Spanish (Hispanic-American Version) renders the first Greek word by “amar,” the second by “querer.” “Simon, hijo de Juan, me amas? . . . Si, Señor, tu sabes que te quiero.” Some writers suppose that, to Peter’s warm and earnest feelings, the former word seemed too distant and cold; and that our Lord adopted his own expression, to show that warm feelings must be judged by their practical use. In any case this lesson is clearly taught by the narrative.

Feed. Here again there is a variation in the words rendered “feed”; the word used in vers. 15, 17, signifying more strictly to feed, and that which occurs in ver. 16 meaning more generally to tend or shepherd. Many take the two words to be synonymous. But some think that our Lord meant to enjoin, by the one, the “feeding” with knowledge and instruction; by the other, the “shepherding,” or maintenance of discipline in the Church.

18 thou shalt stretch forth thy hands. To be bound, as a captive, or fastened as a criminal to a cross.

another shall gird thee. The particular form of this prediction, referring to common actions of daily life, would tend to keep Peter constantly in mind of his sufferings and death. It is said that he was crucified with his head downwards at Rome, in the reign of the emperor Nero, A.D. 67.

21 what shall this man do? That is, “what shall his lot (or his end) be?”

22 what [is that] to thee? Our Lord thus gently rebukes Peter’s curiosity, and directs his mind to his own duties.

23. Then went this saying abroad. Better, as R.V., “This saying therefore went forth.” There is here no note of time in the word then.

till I come. See note on Matt. xvi. 28. John not only lived to see the Lord coming in the overthrow of apostate Judaism and the establishment of His gospel kingdom; but he also had revealed to him before his death the whole further development of that coming: see Introduction to the Book of the Revelation.

24. This is the disciple, etc. Cp. xix. 35. Here the “we” probably includes the elders of Ephesus, where St. John wrote.

25. I suppose that even the world itself could not contain, etc. A popular phrase intimating the impossibility of recording all. The foregoing records of our Divine Redeemer’s life have enabled us to trace Him “in infancy and in manhood; in secret and among the crowds; at work and in prayer. We have listened to His teaching; we have watched His sacrifice; we have heard the announcement of His kingdom. As man He has claimed our reverence too” (Angus).