Bible Commentaries
John 21

Verse 1

John 21:1

After Jesus had appeared to his disciples a second time within a closed room (John 20:19, John 20:26), and allowed Thomas the opportunity for physical contact (John 20:27), He appeared to them out of doors on the beach (John 21:4). It was the shore of the Sea of Galilee. A good portion of Jesus’ Earthly ministry took place around the lake, so it is fitting that John’s last recorded meeting between Jesus and His disciples took place in the familiar setting.

Verse 2

John 21:2

As the disciples would resort in fear to closed rooms (John 20:19, John 20:26), they would come and go (Luke 24:33, John 20:24) sometimes leaving small groups at a time. On this occasion, there were at least seven disciples together. We don’t know what they discussed, how long they had been together or how they had passed the time, but Peter decided it was time for him to leave (John 21:3).

Verse 3

John 21:3

Peter decided, “That’s it. I’m not sitting around this room any more. I’m going fishing.” Peter had left his nets (Matthew 4:17-19, Mark 10:28, Luke 18:28) to follow Jesus. In other words, he had quit his job and simply walked away from his old life. However, his new life had been wrapped up in spending all his days in the presence of Jesus. Now, even though Jesus had risen from the dead, Jesus would come and go. It wasn’t the same.

This had been one of those times when Jesus had been gone awhile, and, although Peter missed Him, he wasn’t about to sit there anymore and wait for another visit. Peter wanted things to be the way they were, and they weren’t. Perhaps he’d find some solace and comfort in returning to his old life.

Maybe it has been awhile since you’ve felt the presence of the Lord. Don’t quit your new life and go back to your old life though. Not every moment with Jesus is spiritual ecstasy. There are high times, but there are also low and lonely feeling times. During those lonesome times, we don’t need to find solace in our old comfort zones. We have the Comforter (John 14:16, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7). The Lord need not be with us, He is in us (John 14:17, 1 John 4:4)! He will never leave us (1 Kings 8:57, Psalms 27:9, Hebrews 13:5). We are not completely alone.

Verse 4

John 21:4

Six of Jesus’ disciples had followed Peter (John 20:3) to the Sea of Galilee (John 20:2) where they had gone fishing all night and caught nothing. After an unproductive night of work, Jesus came with the morning (2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16). Sometimes we are in our lives, without a clear vision, working in the dark, and not accomplishing our goals. We may have unsure footing, and the waves of life may be churning below our efforts. Just when it seems that it is hopeless, remember that Jesus is there, and He stands on solid ground. His vision is lighted by His own glory, and He is able to accomplish with ease what we may continually struggle at. You don’t have to see Him clearly to know that he is there. Believe!

Verse 5

John 21:5

Once they realized it was Jesus, He began to speak to them. First, he asked a question, “Children, have ye any meat?” Their answer, “No,” was a two-letter summary of their problem (Matthew 5:37, James 5:12). Jesus’ response was to provide a solution; not by doing it for them, but by giving instructions that if followed would result in a bounty beyond their expectations (John 21:6, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 3:18-21).

Jesus called them “children (1 John 2:13).” He holds His disciples in esteem, and he wants to provide for them and meet their needs. It is comforting to know that we are under the protection and supervision of a loving God.

It is intriguing to consider that as a resurrected being, the Lord Jesus still partook of food (Luke 24:41-43). Since we shall have resurrected bodies like His (Job 19:26, Psalms 17:15, 1 Corinthians 15:48-55, Philippians 3:21, 1 John 3:2), remarkably we too shall still enjoy pleasurable tastes and sensations (Psalms 16:11, Psalms 36:8, Isaiah 25:6, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 26:29, Luke 14:15, Luke 22:29-30, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 19:9).

Verse 6

John 21:6

Sometimes our best efforts fail to produce the results we were looking for, and we struggle to do what the Lord can accomplish with ease. It is better then, to follow his direction. All of our wisdom and experience may tell us, “This is how it is done.” Peter’s crew (John 21:3) cast their nets on the left side all night, because that was the way they fished. Their way didn’t always work for them (Luke 5:4-8), and doing things our way doesn’t always work for us either.

Jesus told them to break with the usual and do the opposite. What He wanted those disciples to do didn’t make any sense to them. They casted their net on the left side of the boat, because that was what they usually did. The usual feels comfortable, but it is that very comfort which can keep us from obtaining God’s best for us.

The disciples must have wondered, “How could our casting the net on the right side work, if casting on the left side hadn’t worked?” Were the fish following along hiding on the right side of the boat watching as the net was lowered each time on the left side? If God says it, what we view as ridiculous is in reality completely reasonable and sensible (Isaiah 55:8, Ezekiel 18:25-29, Hosea 14:9).

Verse 7

John 21:7

John (see notes on John 13:23) told Peter that the man on the shore (John 21:4) was Jesus. Jesus was back with them again (see notes on John 21:3). Peter missed Jesus so much that he couldn’t wait for the boat to be brought to shore. He grabbed his clothes and jumped into the sea. Why Peter was naked doesn’t matter. Perhaps it was to save his clothes from unnecessary spoiling. Regardless of the reason for Peter’s nudity, he didn’t want the son of God to see him that way.

Peter’s shame of his nakedness before God reminds us of Adam’s attempt to cover himself before the Lord (Genesis 3:7-10). Before sin, there was no shame (Genesis 2:25), but sin brings awareness of reason for shame before a holy God (Exodus 20:19, 1 Samuel 6:20, Job 40:4, Isaiah 6:5, Luke 5:8).

Every Christian brings the Spirit of God with them everywhere they go. Within each believer is the only true and holy God. Our presence and godly example of living lives led by the Spirit ought to prick the unbeliever’s soul with the shameful knowledge of their sinful condition before the perfect God. Not that we are gods or have become divine. We are imperfect vessels, but we are vessels (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) used by the Lord. We are not divine, but we share in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). We are not children of God as was Christ, but we have the spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15) and are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

God grant us the strength both to do and to say those things that pertain to godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Timothy 6:6, 2 Peter 1:6, 2 Peter 3:11) and become lights in the darkness showing the way to salvation.

Verse 8

John 21:8

This wasn’t the first time they fished in the shallows (Luke 5:2-6), and it also wasn’t the first time Peter had been the only one to leave the boat and go to Jesus (Matthew 14:25-29). On this night they had been fishing about only a hundred yards out, and Peter jumped off the boat and swam back to shore while the rest stayed in the boat and struggled back with the net full of fish.

I want to be excited to go where Jesus is like Peter was. I don’t want to stay in the boat and worry about my net of fish (see notes on John 20:25). I hope I have the wisdom to see that I only have the fish because Jesus blessed me with them. Whatever your fish are, sometimes you have them and sometimes you don’t, but it is better to have Jesus who supplies all our needs (Psalms 23:1, 2 Corinthians 9:8-11, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 4:19).

Verse 9

John 21:9

Jesus had asked these disciples earlier if they had any meat (John 21:5), and they didn’t. They had no meat, because they hadn’t caught any fish. Jesus helped them by providing a resolution (John 21:6). Let’s look at the direction Jesus gave them.

Notice how that Jesus didn’t just make the desire of their hearts appear. He told them the solution, and they had to actually implement the idea on their own. Jesus didn’t become their magical genie and poof their wishes into reality. They had to accept his direction on faith and put it into action. Once they did that, the results (John 21:11) were beyond their expectations (Ephesians 3:20).

They wanted a respectful catch of fish to show for the time they had invested, but they had nothing to show for their efforts. Jesus didn’t give them the fish; He told them how to get the fish. All their work produced no results (John 15:5), but one more effort using Jesus’ guidance netted what they had been hoping for. Jesus proved once again that through Him we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

When God partners with us, not simply does for us, but joins our efforts through our faith and love, great things are accomplished. Seeing the results of activated and energized faith (Galatians 5:6), we know that it could not have been done through our effort alone; it had to be God.

Once they had more fish than they had desired, and they were done with the job at hand, they came to where Jesus was. He had been waiting for them. They had been trying to catch fish and had been unable to catch any fish after trying all night. Jesus not only had fish, but the fish were cleaned and on the grill. Additionally, he had fresh bread for them.

Why do we continually struggle through our lives working hard to accomplish what the Lord can do for us with ease? He will even clean it up for us and prepare it just the way we like it. Not only that, He will provide a little something extra too.

Notice also how Jesus, after having served mankind His greatest effort through his passion and death, was still willing to serve. He had conquered the grave and was now the glorified Christ, but He was still willing to stoop over a hot grill and serve others.

Verse 10

John 21:10

Jesus already had a good meal of fish cooking and all provided for them (John 21:9), but he asked for some of their fish too. He wanted them to see how their efforts were not a complete waste of time, because he can take what we achieve, even though we only achieved it through His grace, and combine it with what He provides to superabundantly produce something that will more than satisfy us (Malachi 3:10, Ephesians 3:20).

Verse 11

John 21:11

It was Peter’s idea to go fishing (John 21:3), so Peter went back to the boat and pulled the net to shore. Apparently, they counted the fish. It would have been enough to say “there were so many.” By giving us the exact number of fish though, John revealed how impressive the total was to the experienced fishermen. Adding to what seemingly was a miracle, that is, the number of fish caught, the size of the fish and the fact that the catch immediately occurred only after the Lord’s involvement (see notes on John 21:6, John 21:9), was the incredible occurrence of such a weighty haul without tearing the net (Luke 5:4-8).

Verse 12

John 21:12

Seeing someone you know who died and was buried but is now alive and standing right in front of you would be confusing. Physical resurrection is not normal in our experience. The disciples had seen it before (Matthew 27:52-53, Mark 5:39-42, Luke 7:12-17, John 11:43-44), but never to someone they had watched die. Some of the disciples then may have wondered, “Is this really Jesus, or is he an imposter?” If the doubt had occurred to them, they knew better than to believe the doubt (Matthew 14:31, see notes on John 10:24). Incredible as it was, Jesus was truly alive and well and visiting with them (Acts 10:41).

Verse 13

John 21:13

Notice John wrote that Jesus came to them. He asked them to come to Him (John 21:12), but apparently they were awe struck. They didn’t come to Him, but they didn’t run away either. The only movement shown at all was by Peter when he had returned to the boat (John 21:11). They just stood where they were. So, Jesus took the food to them.

We think that we need to pursue God. We think we have to find God. We think we have to go where God is or we might miss God, but Jesus is relentless (Psalms 23:6). He pursues us. We think we have to do things on our own the only way we know how (see notes on John 21:9), but He wants to teach us His ways (Isaiah 55:8). We think we have to be in God’s house to get His provision, but he will go where we are to provide for us.

Verse 14

John 21:14

John used the plural “disciples,” because he meant it was the third time Jesus appeared to a group of disciples belonging to The Twelve (see notes on John 20:24). Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden, but none of The Twelve was with her at the time (John 20:10-17). The other two appearances where some of The Twelve were present are recorded in John 20:19-25 and John 20:26-29.

Verse 15

John 21:15

In this passage (John 21:15-17), on the third time Jesus had showed himself to the disciples after His resurrection (John 21:14), Jesus says something similar to Peter three times. They had eaten a dinner of fish and bread (John 21:9) prepared and served by the Lord Himself (John 21:13). Having Peter fed, Jesus begins by asking Peter to feed His lambs.

Jesus was saying, “If you love me ... prove it, and you can prove it, by feeding my young sheep.” In the King James Version, Jesus said “feed” three times (John 21:15, John 21:16, John 21:17). On the first and the third times the word “feed” is from the Greek word bosko ^G1006 , which means, “to pasture ... to graze.” In John 21:16, “feed” is from the Greek word poimaino ^G4165, which means, “to tend as a shepherd (or figuratively superviser).”

In John 21:15, Jesus spoke of the new, young and immature Christians ... “my lambs.” In both John 21:16 and John 21:17, Jesus referred to the more mature followers as ... “my sheep.” Notice in John 21:15, Jesus said only to feed the young ones. Let them graze at their own speed in the pasture of the word. Don’t try to rule over them or supervise them. Different followers mature at different rates. The shepherd, led by the Holy Spirit, must discern when the lamb has matured enough to receive direction from a leader. Many new converts, as yet unwilling to receive instruction, have left the church in order to be free. Unfortunately, they were unable to feed themselves, and their faith died.

In John 21:16-17, Jesus spoke of the more mature Christians. They can be led, because they have received enough nourishment from the word to understand that the shepherd has their best interest at heart. They have learned that the shepherd has been placed over them for their benefit. They have come to realize that following Biblically sound instructions actually brings more freedom. However, the shepherd is to continue feeding them as well (John 21:17).

Verse 16

John 21:16

See notes on John 21:15.

Verse 17

John 21:17

It bothered Peter that Jesus would repeatedly question his love for the Lord (see notes on John 21:15). He sincerely did love Jesus, and he knew Jesus could discern that. What Peter was still unable to perceive though was Jesus’ message of connecting service to the flock with the shepherd’s love for Jesus. The two are inseparable. If the shepherd doesn’t truly love Jesus, the flock will not truly be led in the ways of the Lord. It would be the blind leading the blind (Matthew 15:14, Luke 6:39).

Verse 18

John 21:18

What Jesus said is generally true, as a matter of life’s course. However, Jesus was revealing a deeper truth wrapped in the usual. Jesus was telling Peter how Peter would die (see notes on John 21:19).

Verse 19

John 21:19

Jesus said, “Follow me (John 13:36),” and Jesus died on the cross (John 12:33, 2 Peter 1:14). Whether Peter was crucified or not hasn’t been proven, but the “thou shalt stretch forth thy hands” statement could be used to support such a conclusion. Regardless of what would actually end Peter’s life, or in what way he would die, Jesus assured him that it would only happen after a long life of service in the kingdom (John 21:18). Jesus told Peter he would die when “thou shalt be old.”

Verse 20

John 21:20

Sometime after they had eaten (John 21:15), Jesus had begun walking with Peter as they talked. Peter might have heard footsteps or simply felt the urge to turn around, but after Jesus said, “Follow me,” Peter turned around to see if anyone was following them then. Apparently, although there may have been other disciples following too (John 21:23), John (John 21:24) was right behind them.

John referred to himself (John 13:23-26, John 19:26, John 20:2, John 21:7, John 21:24) as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

Verse 21

John 21:21

By asking Jesus about John’s future, Peter revealed his jealousy over the closeness of Jesus’ relationship with John. The question’s implication, and perhaps even the tone, carried a stinging inference that Jesus would show favoritism in even how each of the disciples met their deaths. Peter understood, from what Jesus had said (John 21:18), that he would die like Jesus did (John 21:19), and he thought Jesus’ admiration of John would ensure that John would be shielded from torture. Later on, Peter would come to understand that God loves every one of us (Acts 10:34), and each of us can be as close to Jesus as we want to be.

Verse 22

John 21:22

Concerned over his own future (see notes on John 21:21), Peter wondered what was in store for John. Since he had denied Jesus (John 18:17, John 18:25, John 18:27), and we reap what we sow (Job 4:8, Hosea 10:13, 2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 6:7-8), Peter offered no objection to Jesus’ prophesy about his future as though he felt he deserved what was coming to him. John though had boldly been at the cross with Christ holding Jesus’ mother as she agonized over her son’s condition (John 19:26-27). “Surely,” Peter must have thought, “unlike me, John deserves to avoid a horrific death.”

Jesus responded to Peter’s jealous inquiry by taking the possibilities to another level. What if John doesn’t even have to die? What if Jesus decided to let John live until He comes back to receive His church? Jesus was saying, “What happens to John doesn’t affect what happens to you, so don’t worry about it. Instead, do what you are called to do.”

Verse 23

John 21:23

Peter apparently told other disciples what Jesus had said about John (John 21:22), and the rumor was distributed that Jesus said John wouldn’t die. However, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21), John clarified what Jesus said as if to say, “As in the case of all men (Genesis 3:19, 2 Samuel 14:14, Job 14:5, Job 30:23, Psalms 89:48, Ecclesiastes 3:20, Ecclesiastes 9:5, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Romans 5:12, Hebrews 9:27), I too must die.”

Perhaps John did die. Perhaps his death and transformation to a resurrected man was so instantaneous (1 Corinthians 15:51-53) that he never tasted of death. Perhaps he still walks the Earth and serves Christ here until Jesus’ return as a resurrected, immortal man. We may not know what became of John until we gather together with the other saints in glory. It is a mystery (Deuteronomy 29:29, 1 Corinthians 4:1).

Verse 24

John 21:24

Through this verse and John 21:20, we not only understand that it was John following Peter and Jesus, but we also see that John is the follower described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

John wrote, “… and we know that his testimony is true.” I asked myself, “Do I know his testimony is true?” “Know” is such a strong word. Do I believe it is true? Yes, of course I do. Do I think it is true? Yes, because of my belief. How can I “know” though? How does anyone know that anything in the Bible is true?

I know it is true in the same way I know everything else that I hold to be true. I started out with faith believing, but then I felt the Lord’s presence. I have personally experienced His life transforming power, and I have changed through knowing Him. I’ve seen the results of His answers to my prayers. I’ve heard His Spirit’s inner voice gently speak to my spirit. I am a witness to the reality that Jesus lives and the gospel is true.

Verse 25

John 21:25

Jesus used the time that He had effectively. He packed so much into His three plus years of ministry that the gospel writers had a buffet of incredible happenings from which they could select different reports to serve us. John, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), chose those things recorded in his gospel that would help us to believe (John 20:30-31). Although what we have is definitely enough, my love for Jesus and interest in what He both did and said causes a desire to have been told about other things He had done. We don’t know everything Jesus did here among us, but we do know everything He did was good (Acts 10:38).

In the end, it is appropriate that we don’t know everything Jesus did (Job 26:14). John said the world couldn’t contain the books it would take to record it all, and Jesus is too great to be contained. His glory is beyond our ability to fully realize it. We are small, and He is so infinitely large, that mysteries only increase our acceptance of His divinity. Rather than doubt, let us hold fast to our faith and understanding of His goodness and grace towards us. Let us believe and be saved.