After these things. A note of time frequent in John. See John 3:22 ; John 5:1 , John 5:14 ; John 6:1 ; John 7:1 ; John 13:7 ; John 19:38 .
After . Greek. meta. App-104 .
Jesus. App-98 .
shewed = manifested. Greek. phaneroo. App-106 . v; not merely presented Himself, but revealed His power and glory. See John 2:11 . Not the same word as John 14:21 , John 14:22 , which is empitanizo. App-106 .
a = the; probably that of Matthew 4:21 , belonging to Zebedee and his sons.
immediately . All the texts omit.
that night = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) that night. caught. Greek. piazo. Used in the Gospels by John only, and always, except here and John 21:10 , of "taking" the Lord (John 7:30 , John 7:32 , John 7:44 ; John 8:20 ; John 10:39 ; John 11:57 ).
girt . Greek. diazonnumi. Only here and John 13:4 , John 13:5 .
his fisher's coat = the upper garment. Greek. ependutes. Only here in N.T. Used in the Septuagint for the Hebrew meil, robe, in 1 Samuel 18:4 . 2 Samuel 13:18 .
naked. Greek gumnos. This means he had only his tunic or undergarment on. Compare Mark 14:51 .Acts 19:16 .
fire of coals . Greek. anthrakia. Only here and John 18:18 .
fish . Greek. opsarion, dim. of opson, cooked meat, eaten as a relish. in John 6:9 , John 6:11 , the only other passage where it occurs, it is in the plural as in John 21:10 below. Here it probably means a little fish,
bread = a loaf. One little fish and one loaf to feed eight persons. A beautiful variant of, and supplement to, the widow's handful of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17:0 ). It was a type of the food He would supply them with, in the strength of which they would go "many days".
dine . Greek. aristao. Only here, John 21:15 , and Luke 11:37 . The ariston was the morning meal, as contrasted with the afternoon meal, which was called deipnon, translated "supper". Compare Matthew 22:4 .Luke 11:38 ; Luke 11:14 , Luke 11:12 .
none = no one. Greek. oudeis.
durst = ventured to. Contrast their freedom in questioning Him before. It marks the change in their relationship wrought by the resurrection,
ask = inquire. Only here and Matthew 2:8 ; Matthew 10:11 .
Simon . Peter was always addressed by the Lord as Simon except in Luke 22:34 . See App-147 .
more than these : i.e. than these other disciples do. Referring to his words in Matthew 26:33 , Matthew 26:35 .
love . Greek phileo. App-135 . Note the different words used in these verses. The Lord uses agapao twice and phileo once, Peter always phileo.
Feed : i.e. provide pasture for. Greek. bosko. Save in this passage, always of swine.
lambs . Greek. arnion, a diminutive. Only here and in the Revelation, where it occurs twenty-nine times, always of the Lord, except John 13:11 . The other word for "lamb", amnos, only in John 1:29 , John 1:36 . Acts 8:32 . 1 Peter 1:19 .
grieved . Greek. lupeo . Elsewhere in John 16:20 . Compare 1 Peter 1:6 . The noun lupe occurs in John 16:6 , John 16:20 , John 16:21 , John 16:22 . Compare 1 Peter 2:19 .
Verily, verily . Twenty-fifth and last occurance of this double Amen ( App-10 ). See on John 1:51 and p. 1511.
young . Greek. neoteros, younger. The positive neos applied to any one up to thirty. This and John 20:4 gave rise to the tradition that Peter was a middle-aged man. girdedst. Greek. zonnumi. Only here.
wouldest . Greek. thelo. App-102 .
carry = lead. Greek. phero. Compare Mark 9:17 . Luke 15:23 .Acts 14:13 .
also many , &c. = many other things also. See John 20:30 .
every one = one by one. Greek. kath' ( App-104 ) en.
I suppose = I think. Greek. oimai, contr. for oiomai, which occurs in Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:16 . James 1:7 .
even . . . not. Greek. oude, compound of ou . App-105 .
world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 .
contain . Greek. choreo. Elsewhere in John: John 2:6 ; John 8:37 (hath no place). Compare Matthew 19:12 .
the books, &c. = the written books. Figure of speech Hyperbole. App-6 . Amen. All the texts omit. In that case, only the double "verily" found in John. This chapter is a supplement, of the highest value, to the Gospel formally concluded in John 20:31 .
The use of the first person singular in John 21:25 , contrasted with the Evangelist's modest self-effacement elsewhere, has led some to doubt the Johannine authorship of this chapter. But the evidence of the MSS. and Versions, and the attestation clause at John 21:24 is so closely allied to that in John 19:35 as to leave little room for doubt. Note further, the use of many characteristic words (see p. 1511), the expression noted in John 21:1 , the double "verily" (John 21:18 ), and, above all, the eight signs with their wonderful structure and correspondence (see App-176 ).
Bibliographical Information Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on John 21". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bul/john-21.html. 1909-1922.
Verse 1
After these things. A note of time frequent in John. See John 3:22 ; John 5:1 , John 5:14 ; John 6:1 ; John 7:1 ; John 13:7 ; John 19:38 .
After . Greek. meta. App-104 .
Jesus. App-98 .
shewed = manifested. Greek. phaneroo. App-106 . v; not merely presented Himself, but revealed His power and glory. See John 2:11 . Not the same word as John 14:21 , John 14:22 , which is empitanizo. App-106 .
at = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
on this wise = thus.
Verse 2
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
other . Greek allos. App-124 .
of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
Verse 3
unto = to.
I go a fishing = I go forth to fish.
with. Greek. sun. App-104 .
into . Greek eis. App-104 .
a = the; probably that of Matthew 4:21 , belonging to Zebedee and his sons.
immediately . All the texts omit.
that night = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) that night. caught. Greek. piazo. Used in the Gospels by John only, and always, except here and John 21:10 , of "taking" the Lord (John 7:30 , John 7:32 , John 7:44 ; John 8:20 ; John 10:39 ; John 11:57 ).
nothing. Greek. oudeis, compound of ou. App-105 .
Verse 4
now = already.
on . Greek. eis. App-104 .
knew . Greek. oida. App-132 .
not . Greek. ou. App-105 .
Verse 5
Then = Therefore.
Children . Greek. paidion. App-108 .
meat. Greek. prosphagion. Something to eat with (your bread), a relish. Occurs only here.
No . Greek. ou. App-105 .
Verse 6
Cast . Greek. ballo, as in John 20:25 , John 20:27 .
net. A bag or purse net. Greek. diktuon, as in Matthew 4:20 . Mark 1:18 . Luke 5:2 . For other words for "net", see Matthew 4:18 ; Matthew 13:47 .
now they were not = no longer (Greek. ouketi) were they.
draw . Greek. helkuo. See on John 12:32 .
for = from. Greek. apo, App-104 . This was the eighth sign. See App-176 .
Verse 7
loved. Greek. agapao. App-135 .
the Lord. App-98 .
Now when = Therefore.
heard = having heard.
girt . Greek. diazonnumi. Only here and John 13:4 , John 13:5 .
his fisher's coat = the upper garment. Greek. ependutes. Only here in N.T. Used in the Septuagint for the Hebrew meil, robe, in 1 Samuel 18:4 . 2 Samuel 13:18 .
naked. Greek gumnos. This means he had only his tunic or undergarment on. Compare Mark 14:51 .Acts 19:16 .
Verse 8
a little ship = the boat. Greek. ploiarion, dim. of ploion, John 21:3 ; John 21:6 . Elsewhere in John 6:22 , John 6:23 "boat", Mark 3:9 ; Mark 4:36 .
from . Greek. apo. App-104 .
land = the land. Greek. ge. App-129 .
two , &c. = about (Greek. apo. App-104 .) two, &c.: i.e. one hundred yards. See App-51 .
dragging . Greek suro. Only here, Acts 8:3 ; Acts 14:19 ; Acts 17:6 . Revelation 12:4 . Not the same word as in John 21:6 .
the net with fishes = the net of fishes.
Verse 9
were come = went forth,
to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
saw = see. Greek. blepo. App-133 .
fire of coals . Greek. anthrakia. Only here and John 18:18 .
fish . Greek. opsarion, dim. of opson, cooked meat, eaten as a relish. in John 6:9 , John 6:11 , the only other passage where it occurs, it is in the plural as in John 21:10 below. Here it probably means a little fish,
bread = a loaf. One little fish and one loaf to feed eight persons. A beautiful variant of, and supplement to, the widow's handful of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17:0 ). It was a type of the food He would supply them with, in the strength of which they would go "many days".
Verse 10
the fish . Here the word is opsarion in the plural. But they were great fishes (John 21:11 ). So it must be used in a general sense.
Verse 11
went up = went back.
to . Greek. epi. App-104 ., but all the texts read eis.
Verse 12
dine . Greek. aristao. Only here, John 21:15 , and Luke 11:37 . The ariston was the morning meal, as contrasted with the afternoon meal, which was called deipnon, translated "supper". Compare Matthew 22:4 .Luke 11:38 ; Luke 11:14 , Luke 11:12 .
none = no one. Greek. oudeis.
durst = ventured to. Contrast their freedom in questioning Him before. It marks the change in their relationship wrought by the resurrection,
ask = inquire. Only here and Matthew 2:8 ; Matthew 10:11 .
Verse 13
then . All the texts omit.
bread = the loaf.
fish = the fish of John 21:9 .
Verse 14
now = already.
His = the.
risen . Greek. egeiro. App-178 .
from the dead. Greek. ek nekron. See App-139 .
Verse 15
So = Therefore.
Simon . Peter was always addressed by the Lord as Simon except in Luke 22:34 . See App-147 .
more than these : i.e. than these other disciples do. Referring to his words in Matthew 26:33 , Matthew 26:35 .
love . Greek phileo. App-135 . Note the different words used in these verses. The Lord uses agapao twice and phileo once, Peter always phileo.
Feed : i.e. provide pasture for. Greek. bosko. Save in this passage, always of swine.
lambs . Greek. arnion, a diminutive. Only here and in the Revelation, where it occurs twenty-nine times, always of the Lord, except John 13:11 . The other word for "lamb", amnos, only in John 1:29 , John 1:36 . Acts 8:32 . 1 Peter 1:19 .
Verse 16
the = a.
Feed = Shepherd. Greek poimaino. Occurs eleven times, translated "rule "in Matthew 2:6 . Revelation 2:27 ; Revelation 12:5 ; Revelation 19:15 . Compare poimen, John 10:2 , John 10:11 , John 10:12 , John 10:14 , John 10:16 (Shepherd); Ephesians 4:11 (pastors).
sheep . Greek probaton.
Verse 17
grieved . Greek. lupeo . Elsewhere in John 16:20 . Compare 1 Peter 1:6 . The noun lupe occurs in John 16:6 , John 16:20 , John 16:21 , John 16:22 . Compare 1 Peter 2:19 .
knowest. Greek ginosko. App-132 .
Verse 18
Verily, verily . Twenty-fifth and last occurance of this double Amen ( App-10 ). See on John 1:51 and p. 1511.
young . Greek. neoteros, younger. The positive neos applied to any one up to thirty. This and John 20:4 gave rise to the tradition that Peter was a middle-aged man. girdedst. Greek. zonnumi. Only here.
wouldest . Greek. thelo. App-102 .
carry = lead. Greek. phero. Compare Mark 9:17 . Luke 15:23 .Acts 14:13 .
Verse 19
what = what kind of.
glorify. Greek. doxazo. See p. 1511.
God . App-98 .
when He had = having.
Follow . Greek. akoloutheo. Used of soldiers, servants, and pupils. First occurance in John 1:37 .
Verse 20
Then . All the texts omit.
turning about = having turned round.
also leaned = leaned also.
on . Greek. epi. App-104 .
at . Greek. en. App-104 .
which = who. betrayeth. See on John 19:30 , "gave up".
Verse 21
seeing . Greek. eidon. App-133 .
what , &c.: literally ' this one, what?
Verse 22
If. App-118 .
tarry. Greek meno, translated abide, remain, &c. See book comments for John.
what, &c. Peter's curiosity rebuked. Compare Matthew 17:4 .
to = with reference to. Greek. pros. App-104 .
Verse 23
saying . Greek. logos. See on Mark 9:32 .
among = unto. Greek eis. App-104 .
that . Greek. ekeinos.
should not die = is not dying: i.e. is not going to die.
Verse 24
testifieth = beareth witness. Greek. martureo. See See book comments for John, note 4.
of = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .
testimony . Greek. marturia. Compare John 19:35 , and see book comments for John.
true. Greek alethes. App-175 .
Verse 25
also many , &c. = many other things also. See John 20:30 .
every one = one by one. Greek. kath' ( App-104 ) en.
I suppose = I think. Greek. oimai, contr. for oiomai, which occurs in Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:16 . James 1:7 .
even . . . not. Greek. oude, compound of ou . App-105 .
world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 .
contain . Greek. choreo. Elsewhere in John: John 2:6 ; John 8:37 (hath no place). Compare Matthew 19:12 .
the books, &c. = the written books. Figure of speech Hyperbole. App-6 . Amen. All the texts omit. In that case, only the double "verily" found in John. This chapter is a supplement, of the highest value, to the Gospel formally concluded in John 20:31 .
The use of the first person singular in John 21:25 , contrasted with the Evangelist's modest self-effacement elsewhere, has led some to doubt the Johannine authorship of this chapter. But the evidence of the MSS. and Versions, and the attestation clause at John 21:24 is so closely allied to that in John 19:35 as to leave little room for doubt. Note further, the use of many characteristic words (see p. 1511), the expression noted in John 21:1 , the double "verily" (John 21:18 ), and, above all, the eight signs with their wonderful structure and correspondence (see App-176 ).