John 21NIV
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John21

New International Version

1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:

2Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

3“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

6He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

11So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

18Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went 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. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “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 alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

23Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 21.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Christ appears to his disciples. (1–14). His discourse with Peter. (15–19). Christ's declaration concerning John. (20–24). The conclusion. (25).

vv1-14

Christ makes himself known to his people, usually in his ordinances; but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when employed in their business. It is good for the disciples of Christ to be together in common conversation, and common business. The hour for their entering upon action was not come. They would help to maintain themselves, and not be burdensome to any. Christ's time of making himself known to his people, is when they are most at a loss. He knows the temporal wants of his people, and has promised them not only grace sufficient, but food convenient. Divine Providence extends itself to things most minute, and those are happy who acknowledge God in all their ways. Those who are humble, diligent, and patient, though their labours may be crossed, shall be crowned; they sometimes live to see their affairs take a happy turn, after many struggles. And there is nothing lost by observing Christ's orders; it is casting the net on the right side of the ship. Jesus manifests himself to his people by doing that for them which none else can do, and things which they looked not for. He would take care that those who left all for him, should not want any good thing. And latter favours are to bring to mind former favours, that eaten bread may not be forgotten. He whom Jesus loved was the first that said, It is the Lord. John had cleaved most closely to his Master in his sufferings, and knew him soonest. Peter was the most zealous, and reached Christ the first. How variously God dispenses his gifts, and what difference there may be between some believers and others in the way of their honouring Christ, yet they all may be accepted of him! Others continue in the ship, drag the net, and bring the fish to shore, and such persons ought not to be blamed as worldly; for they, in their places, are as truly serving Christ as the others. The Lord Jesus had provision ready for them. We need not be curious in inquiring whence this came; but we may be comforted at Christ's care for his disciples. Although there were so many, and such great fishes, yet they lost none, nor damaged their net. The net of the gospel has enclosed multitudes, yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to God.

vv15-19

Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeited that of Peter through his denying him. He now answered, Thou knowest that I love thee; but without professing to love Jesus more than others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called into question, when we ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned sins, renews the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity, Peter solemnly appealed to Christ, as knowing all things, even the secrets of his heart. It is well when our falls and mistakes make us more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it behoves us to inquire with earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and prove us, whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?

vv20-24

Sufferings, pains, and death, will appear formidable even to the experienced Christian; but in the hope to glorify God, to leave a sinful world, and to be present with his Lord, he becomes ready to obey the Redeemer's call, and to follow Him through death to glory. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should mind their own duty, and not be curious about future events, either as to themselves or others. Many things we are apt to be anxious about, which are nothing to us. Other people's affairs are nothing to us, to intermeddle in; we must quietly work, and mind our own business. Many curious questions are put about the counsels of God, and the state of the unseen world, as to which we may say, What is this to us? And if we attend to the duty of following Christ, we shall find neither heart nor time to meddle with that which does not belong to us. How little are any unwritten traditions to be relied upon! Let the Scripture be its own interpreter, and explain itself; as it is, in a great measure, its own evidence, and proves itself, for it is light. See the easy setting right such mistakes by the word of Christ. Scripture language is the safest channel for Scripture truth; the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, 1Co 2:13. Those who cannot agree in the same terms of art, and the application of them, may yet agree in the same Scripture terms, and to love one another.

Key Words

AfterG3326Greek

μετά (metá): properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 (ἀπό) or G1537 (ἐκ) and G1519 (εἰς) or G4314 (πρός); less intimate than G1722 (ἐν) and less close than G4862 (σύν))

thisG5023Greek

ταῦτα (taûta): these things

JesusG2424Greek

Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites

revealedG5319Greek

φανερόω (phaneróō): to render apparent (literally or figuratively)

himselfG1438Greek

ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû): him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.

againG3825Greek

πάλιν (pálin): (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

disciplesG3101Greek

μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil

byG1909Greek

ἐπί (epí): properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.

SeaG2281Greek

θάλασσα (thálassa): the sea (genitive case or specially)

TiberiasG5085Greek

Τιβεριάς (Tiberiás): Tiberias, the name of a town and a lake in Palestine

Cross References

John 21
v6Luke 5:4-7thematic

Direct thematic parallel to the first miraculous catch of fish, underscoring their call to be fishers of men.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v192 Peter 1:14thematic

Peter's own later letter referencing the Lord Jesus showing him his imminent, sudden death.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v1Matthew 26:32fulfillment

Fulfills Christ's pre-crucifixion promise to go before his disciples into Galilee after His resurrection.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v13Acts 10:41thematic

Peter's later sermon highlighting eating and drinking with Christ after He rose from the dead.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v17John 13:38contrast

The three-fold questioning of Peter's love directly balances his three-fold denial of Christ.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v20John 13:23thematic

Identifies the beloved disciple by recalling his posture next to Jesus at the Last Supper.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v91 Kings 19:6typology

Parallel of miraculously provided cake baked on coals, demonstrating divine physical care for weary servants.

Supported by JFB

v17John 2:25thematic

Peter appeals to Jesus' omniscience, which John previously established by stating Jesus knew what was in man.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v4Luke 24:15thematic

Parallel where disciples fail to recognize the risen Christ immediately during His appearance.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v15Acts 20:28thematic

Paul echoes Jesus' command by exhorting elders to shepherd the flock of God.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v151 Peter 5:1-4thematic

Peter's exhortation to fellow elders to feed the flock, reflecting Christ's commission to him.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v5Luke 24:41-43thematic

Another post-resurrection account where Jesus asks for food to prove His bodily reality.

Supported by JFB

v19John 12:33thematic

Echoes the phrase 'signifying by what death,' previously used for Christ's crucifixion, now for Peter's martyrdom.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Underlines Jesus' rebuke of curiosity regarding secret future plans that belong to God alone.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v25John 20:30thematic

Parallels the previous chapter's conclusion regarding the selective nature of the written signs.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB