Bible Commentaries
John 21

Introduction

Useful In The Lord's Work John Twenty One

Joh_21:1-25 allows us to observe another appearance of Jesus to the apostles. Peter led several of the apostles on a fishing trip. It is of interest that Jesus found them now as He had at the beginning. They were doing the work of a fisherman. At first they did not recognize Jesus. John said that it was the Lord on the shore. Then Peter casted himself into the sea and went to Him. Jesus told the fishermen to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They caught 153 great fish. When the disciples brought their fish to shore the Lord was there with some fish already cooked. These men had all run away when Jesus was tried but now He is again in fellowship with them. This is seen in Jesus' words, "Come and dine."

Peter is restored to fellowship with the Lord. He is commanded to feed the Lord's sheep. This is Peter's commission to be the apostle to the Jews. The Lord asked him, "Lovest thou me more than these?" Peter had boasted that even if the others denied the Lord he would not. But God knew the facts. Peter is humbled by his personal fall and amazed at the grace of God. He will no longer have confidence in himself. His confidence will now be in God. What Peter had promised to do and could not, he would now do; he would follow Christ to prison and to death.

In Joh_21:25 we are again reminded that the works of Jesus could not be numbered. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

Verses 1-3

Peter said, "I am going fishing" -- Joh_21:1-3 : God blessed us to observe another of Jesus' appearances to His disciples. He appeared this time to them by the Sea of Galilee. Peter, along with some of the other disciples went fishing. In that number were Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John and two other of Jesus' disciples. The disciples had been supported by the people before Jesus' crucifixion. Now that support had ended. These men now go back to earn a livelihood. That night they worked hard but caught nothing. God had arranged it that way. This made Jesus' miracle stand out even more.

Verses 4-14

Jesus prepared breakfast -- Joh_21:4-14 : The disciples had fished that night and caught nothing. Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore. They did not recognize Jesus. He told them to throw their net on the right side of the ship. When they did they caught 153 very large fish. John said "It is the Lord." As quick as Peter heard this he wrapped his outer garment around and jumped in the water and went to Jesus. One the shore Jesus had a fire with some fish and bread cooked. He also told them to bring some of the fish that they caught. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are you?" They knew it was the Jesus. This was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection.

Verses 15-19

Jesus reinstates Peter -- Joh_21:15-19 : Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" Likely Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him more than the others did. He might have possibly been asking Peter if He loved Him more than he loved the boats and the material things. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. In his answer Peter used a much weaker word that meant "I love you and you are a good man." Jesus commissioned Peter to Feed His sheep. Peter denied the Lord three times. Now Peter confessed Him three times. The last times Jesus asked Peter do you like Me and Peter said yes Lord I like you! Jesus told Peter that He knew that he would love Him enough to be led away and die for Him. Through his death Peter would glorify God. Jesus told Peter and also tells us "Follow Me!"

Verses 20-25

What about John and what John wrote -- Joh_21:20-25 : Peter asked Jesus about John. Jesus told Peter that John's life did not concern him. Jesus told Peter "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." This statement caused the rumor to spread among the believers that John would not die. This John is the disciple who wrote these things down in this book. John wrote, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." ( Joh_21:25 ) These things about Jesus are written. Now, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." ( Rev_1:3 )