John Chapter 21 by Mark Dunagan

The Gospel Of John Chapter 21

I. Outline: I. Jesus And The Disciples By The Sea: 21:1-14 II. Jesus And Peter: 21:15-19 III. Peter’s Question: 21:20-23 IV. Conclusion: 21:24-25

II. Introductory Comments: Various writers have attacked the authenticity of this chapter, because they feel that John 20:30-31 is a definite conclusion. But in reading this chapter, we can see why God had it written even after John 20:30-31: 1. The disciples had been commanded by Jesus to return to Galilee (Matthew 28:10), where He would appear to them. This chapter gives the details of at least one of those appearances. 2. Once again, John demonstrates that the resurrected Christ was real, He had a physical body. 3. We also see that Jesus’ death and resurrection hadn’t changed His love for His followers. 4. The chapter also settles any doubts concerning the status of Peter. Jesus fully accepts him back as one of His apostles.

III. Commentary: John 21:1 ‘After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.’ ‘After these things’-This appearance of Jesus is at least over a week following the resurrection. For the appearance just mentioned was eight days following the resurrection (20:26).

‘Sea of Tiberias’-this is the Roman name for the Sea of Galilee. This again indicates that this Gospel was written to a world-wide audience.

Appearances Of Jesus 1. Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18; Mark 16:9-11) 2. To The Other Women (Matthew 28:9-10) 3. Cleopas and Companion On Road To Emmaus (Luke 24:13-25; Mark 16:12-13) 4. Simon Peter (Luke 24:33-35; 1 Cor. 15:5) 5. Disciples, Except Thomas (John 20:19-23; Luke 24:36-43; Mark 16:14) 6. Disciples, With Thomas (One Week Later) (John 20:24-29) 7. Seven Disciples At Sea Of Tiberias (John 21: 1-14) 8. On A Mountain (Great Commission Given) (Matthew 28:16-20) 9. 500 Brethren At Once (1 Cor. 15:6) 10. James (1 Cor. 15:7) 11. All Of The Apostles (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 1:4-12; Luke 24:50-51) 12. Paul (1 Cor. 15:8; Acts 9:3-7). 13. Perhaps there were others (Acts 1:3)

John 21:2 ‘There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples.’ Those present on this occasion are mentioned. As is typical in this gospel, John doesn’t mention himself by name, even those he is one of the sons of Zebedee. Why John doesn’t mention the names of the ‘two others’ is not given. Some surmise that the unnamed disciples were Philip and Andrew, in which case the list here is the same as the first seven mentioned in Matthew 10:2-4. Besides, Philip and Andrew, the remaining disciples not mentioned would be, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Judas the brother of James and Simon the Zealot. Remember, Nathanael and Batholomew are the same person.

John 21:3 ‘Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out, and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.’ “I am going fishing”-At this point some writers see Peter as giving everything up in reference to Jesus and returning to this former manner of life. This we must reject: 1. Peter knew that Jesus was alive! (20:20). 2. Peter is in Galilee, not because he has abandoned Christ, but because Jesus had commanded him and the other disciples to meet Him here (Matthew 28:10). It seems more logical that Peter, while waiting for Jesus to appear to them, decides to go fishing one night. Butler notes, ‘We prefer the view that the disciples were merely occupying the time while they waited for the Lord in plying their trade as fishermen. Some of them (Peter at least) would need to provide some sort of financial support for their families. Men of the sea, active, hardworking, industrious men could not remain inactive while they waited for Jesus to come.’ (p. 447) Tenney notes, ‘In Jerusalem they had been in a strange city where unnerving events had followed each other with dizzy rapidity…Galilee, however, was the same. The familiar haunts, the sight

of the fishing boats rocking gently on the lake, the smell of the fish, and the pressing need of food and occupation..’ (p. 288)

‘that night’-‘The night-time was the best time for fishing. W.M. Thompson in ‘The Land and the Book’ describes night fishing. He writes: “There are certain kinds of fishing always carried on at night. It is a beautiful sight. With blazing torch, the boat guides over the flashing sea, and the men stand gazing keenly into it until their prey is sighted, when, quick as lightening, they fling their net…’ (Barclay p. 326)

‘they caught nothing’-‘It was a big sea. They had probably put their net into the sea over and over again in many different places.’ (Butler p. 448) Remember, this had happened once before (Luke 5:1-8).

21:4 ‘But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.’ ‘stood on the beach’-‘The verb “stood” in association with the preposition “on” indicates motion and thus tells us that the appearance was sudden and supernatural.’ (Woods p. 437)

‘did not know that it was Jesus’-The distance was about 100 yards (21:8). In addition, it was early morning and a midst might have been arising from the lake. Or, as in other cases, the disciples were supernaturally hindered from recognizing Him at first (Luke 24:16; John 20:14). It is also obvious, that they didn’t recognize His voice.

21:5 ‘Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No”.’ “Children”-literally, ‘lads’ or ‘boys’ ‘To this point there was nothing to indicate who he was; they may have regarded him as some passerby desirous of buying fish.’ (Woods p. 437)

21:6 ‘And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.” They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.’ “Cast the next on the right-hand side…”-After a fruitless night of fishing one more try couldn’t hurt. In addition, maybe they thought the stranger was a fellow fisherman.

‘they were not able to haul it in’-the miracle was instant. The imperfect tense pictures the disciples exerting all their strength in the attempt to haul in the fish. But this same type of event had happened a couple of years previous (Luke 5:6,7).

21:7 ‘That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” And so when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garments on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.’ “It is the Lord”-John immediately put two and two together. Please note the reserve which with the miracle is described. Morris notes, ‘Obedience to Christ, not luck, is the important thing….Possibly they thought that a man standing on the shore might detect some indication of fish that was not apparent to them. In any case, after a fruitless night anything would be worth trying.’ (pp. 863-864)

‘he put his outer garments on’-Peter wasn’t about to wait until the boat reached shore. He grabbed his outer tunic (apparently he had been working in his undergarments), and jumped into the sea. Barclay notes, ‘He was girt with a loin cloth as the fisher always was when he plied his trade.’ (p. 327) Point To Note: Peter did kind of the same thing on another occasion when see saw the Lord walking on the water (Matthew 14:28). When Peter realized it was Jesus, nothing else mattered, including the fish! This action of Peter demonstrates that he and the other disciples were real men, not robots.

21:8 ‘But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.’ ‘dragging the net’-Unable even to get the fish into the boat, they simply tied the net still full of fish to the side of the boat, and managed to get it to shore.

21:9 ‘And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed upon it, and bread.’ Points To Note: 1. Notice how Jesus takes care of His disciples! He knew that after a night’s work, they would be hungry and tried. Jesus had breakfast already prepared. 2. Truly, God knows what we need (Matthew 6:25-34). What a welcome sight this must have been to these disciples!

21:10 ‘Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”’ “Bring some of the fish”-God is not a God of waste. ‘In their excitement and haste to meet the Lord they had forgotten their net full of fish straining on the tow rope still tied to the side of the boat and being lashed about by the waves of the surf.’ (Butler p. 450) In addition to eating some of these fish, Jesus also might be saying, ‘Take care of your catch, before we eat.’

21:11 ‘Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.’ ‘a hundred and fifty-three’-all of these fish were large! Unfortunately some writers have tried to find some mystical meaning in the number 153. ‘For example Cyril of Alexandria said the 100 represents the “fullness of the Gentiles”; and 50 stands for the remnant of Israel which will be saved; 3 stands for the Trinity…Augustine…explains it this way: 10 is the number for the Law (10 commandments); 7 is the number of grace (7 gifts of the Spirit); 7 plus 10 equals 17; 153 is the sum of all the figures, 1 plus 2 plus 3 plus 4..and up to 17.’ (Butler pp. 450-451) Rather, this number again reminds us that the writer was an eyewitness, and the catch was miraculous. ‘The amazing thing to the fishermen was that such an enormous catch could be contained in the net without the net breaking.’ (Butler p. 451)

21:12 ‘Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.’ The disciples were firmly convinced that this was Jesus, the Jesus they knew. They didn’t even think about questioning Him. ‘The main point to get from this section is exactly the point the disciples got and one Jesus intended: a dramatic and awe-inspiring demonstration of the omnipotence and omniscience of Jesus Christ, the resurrected Lord of heaven and earth.’ (Butler p. 451)

21:13 ‘Jesus came and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.’ 21:14 ‘This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.’ ‘now the third time’-This wasn’t the third appearance of Jesus, rather it was the third appearance of Jesus to the disciples as a group.

Jesus And Peter 21:15 ‘So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”’ “more than these?”-Some say that “these” applies to the fish and the occupation of fishing, i.e. things representing your worldly vocation such as nets and boats and fish. The pronoun ‘these’ in the Greek may be either masculine or neuter. But there is nothing wrong with fishing or Peter and the other disciples having gone fishing. Rather it appears that the ‘these’ refers to the other disciples. Peter had boasted on the night of the betrayal that even if all the other disciples deserted Jesus, Peter would not. ‘Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.’ (Mark 14:29). Peter had plainly professed a devotion to Christ that exceeded the devotion of all the others.

“do you love Me”-Harkrider notes that there are two different Greek words which are both rendered “love” in these passages: ‘The Greek verb, agapao, is a term indicating strong devotion to a high order; it is displayed by active good will toward another; it does not depend on corresponding good will in return. This is the kind of love God has for the world (Romans 5:8) and the kind of love we are to exercise toward our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). The Greek verb, phileo, describes the more emotional aspect of love; it results from a relationship with corresponding warm affection for each other (John 16:27)….The first two times Jesus asked, “Lovest (agapao) thou Me?” Both times Peter replied, “….thou knowest I love (phileo) thee.” The third time, however, Jesus used the same word for love that Peter used. “Lovest (phileo) thou Me?” That meant, “Do you really have the warm, personal and abiding affection for Me that you claim?”’ (pp. 140-141) ‘in the light of Peter’s downfall Jesus wants to know if Peter is still so sure of himself!… The threefold question parallels the three-fold denial’ (Butler pp. 453-454)

“Tend My lambs”-‘The significance of these questions is not, as the Catholic church claims, that a commission was being given to Peter which made him superior in authority over the other apostles. Peter never claimed to be the supreme head of the church.’ (Harkrider p. 141) Points To Note: 1.

Jesus is not setting Peter to be the head of the church, for Jesus is the sole head (Ephesians 1:22-23). 2. In addition, Peter was an elder, along with fellow-elders (1 Peter 5:1). 3. And, Jesus also expected all the other apostles to ‘tend My lambs’ (1 Thess. 2:6-7). 4. The lambs would apply to other Christians, but seeing that Jesus also says, “Tend My sheep”, lambs may refer to the young and immature among the people of God.

21:16 ‘He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”’ “do you love Me?”-Again, Jesus asks Peter if he has agape love for Him. “You know that I love you”-Again, Peter responds that he has phileo love for Jesus. 21:17 ‘He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep”.’ “do you love Me?”-Now Jesus switches to ‘phileo’ love. ‘The Lord seems to doubt whether Simon really had even such humble affection as he was claiming.’ (Hendriksen p. 488) Jesus appears to be saying, “Peter, far from such as high and lofty love, do you even have tender affection for me?”

‘Peter was grieved’-‘How should Peter not be grieved when Jesus seems to call in question even his subjective attachment, his affection for the Lord?.’ (Hendriksen p. 488)

“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You”-Notice Peter’s attitude. Even though he is grieved, he doesn’t resent Jesus’ questions, he doesn’t respond with bitterness or anger. He doesn’t say, ‘You are supposed to forgive and forget what I did.’ And neither does he try to make excuses for himself, ‘The other disciples fled also!’ Peter knows that Jesus can read the hearts of men, and he is convinced that he really does love Jesus and that Jesus knows this. In fact the statements, ‘Tend My Lambs, Shepherd My sheep’ and ‘Tend My sheep’ all demonstrate that Jesus knows that Peter does love Him, and that Peter will make an excellent disciple and leader among Christians. Be impressed that God has the right to put us on the spot and ask us probing and series questions. The result of this series of questions to the reader is that Jesus fully accepts Peter as a genuine apostle of God. Also carefully note that a man or woman can know if they really love God or not. Peter knew!

21:18 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 21:19 ‘Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!””

‘signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God’-‘by which Peter was to honor God’ (Gspd). Points To Note: According to non-inspired writers such as Eusebius and Tertullian, Peter was crucified in Rome under Nero and such writers see in crucifixion the fulfillment of the words about being girt by another. Eusebius writes, ‘But Peter seems to have preached in Pontus and Galatia and Bithynia and Cappadocia and Asia, to the Jews of the Dispersion, and at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head downward, for so he himself has asked to suffer.’1 Many feel that the reference to “will stretch out your hands” is a reference to being stretched out and tied to the cross. If Peter died during the reign of Nero, then when John wrote this Gospel, Peter had already been dead for some 20 years.

The Price Of Love In our culture it is popular to argue that love doesn’t require anything. But love cost Jesus a very painful death, and love for Peter meant service, shepherding the people of God, and dying for the cause of Christ. ‘Love brought Peter a task, and love brought Peter a cross. Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice. And we do not really love Christ unless we are prepared to face His task and take up His cross.’ (Barclay p. 332)

“Follow Me!”-In the context this means “Follow Me even unto death”, “Follow Me, even though such following will result in pain and a horrible death.” The present tense is used here, “Keep on following”. ‘Peter had followed Christ, but not continuously in the past. For the future he was to follow steadfastly in the ways of the Lord.’ (Morris p. 877) Unlike many modern religious groups, Jesus didn’t believe that earthly incentives and rewards are necessary in converting people. To these disciples Jesus offered persecution, ridicule, hardship and eternal life.

21:20 ‘Peter turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”’ ‘the one who also had leaned back’-i.e. John the writer (John 13:23).

The Ecclesiastical History III, i 8

21:21 ‘Peter therefore seeing said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?”’ “what about this man?”-‘Peter, having been challenged, commissioned and having had his destiny revealed to him, said, “Lord what about him?”’ (Butler p. 459) That is, what will the future hold for John, what is his destiny?

21:22 ‘Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come what is that to you? You follow Me!”’ “what is that to you?”-Jesus refuses to satisfy Peter’s curiosity. There are some questions that God doesn’t answer (Deut. 29:29). Points To Note: 1.

Like Peter, we can often get side-tracked. Some people spend countless hours trying to discover or speculate about what isn't revealed that they completely overlook what is. ‘Peter must not be so deeply interested in God’s secret counsel (regarding John) that he fails to pay attention to God’s revealed will!’ (Hendriksen p. 491) 2. Other times we almost refuse to do anything unless someone can assure us that we will be rewarded or treated just as good as someone else. Peter’s life will end in a horrible death, but what will or will not happen to John—is none of Peter’s business. When we insist on being rewarded, paid or praised as much as the next person, we will overlook precious opportunities. ‘There are times when questions are out of order. It has been well said that a man who has been wounded by a feathered, poisoned arrow should not begin to ask, “Of what wood is this arrow made?”….’ (Hendriksen p. 491)

“Follow Me!”-‘Never mind the task that is given to someone else. Your job is to follow me.’ (Butler p. 460) So often people, even religious people try to compare and compete with each other. Before God we are all unprofitable servants, even the apostles (Luke 17:10). ‘it is timeless advice, because in different ways and for different reasons many have continued to ask Peter’s question. The non-Christian, for instance, when informed that the gospel plan of salvation involves faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, may ask, “But what about the thief on the cross?” or, “What about my parents who died without doing that?” or, “What about the jungle natives who never hear the gospel?”—in other words, “What about John?” Perhaps not all who ask such questions would appreciate a kindly paraphrased reply like, “What is that to you? You follow Christ!”’ (Plain Talk 10/1/3) In addition, at times we tend to excuse our sins because we know of a worse (?) hypocrite in the local congregation. Often when a person is confronted, they immediately respond, “But what about John?” Jesus’ answer to each one of us would be, ‘Your business is to follow Me’.

John 21:23 ‘This saying therefore went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”’ ‘yet Jesus did not say’-God includes this section, because it seems that some misinformation or rumors had circulated concerning this episode. An erroneous rumor had circulated that Jesus had told Peter that John wouldn’t die until He came again. John corrects this rumor by quoting the exact words of Jesus. This was an important matter to correct at the end of the first century, because some Christians may have really hung their hats on this rumor. John would die in the near future, and such a misunderstanding could seriously shake the faith of many.

Conclusion 21:24 ‘This is the disciple who bears witness of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his witness is true.’ ‘This is the disciple who bears witnesses of these things’-We must reject the theory that another writer wrote verses 24-25, or that they aren’t genuine. 1. 21:23 is a very unnatural stopping point. 2. John the apostle was a witness of the life of Christ.

‘we know that his witness is true’-Because he was personally present, he was guided by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), he was not left to reconstruct the life of Christ from his own fallible memory (14:26). Notice the confidence, ‘We know’. God isn’t impressed by skepticism. Absolute truth does exist and you can be absolutely certain about God, the Bible, Jesus and the teachings of Jesus.

21:25 ‘And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books which were written.’ ‘many other things’-So overwhelming is the evidence and there were many wonderful and amazing things which Jesus did. But Divine restraint is upon the writer. A book that went into all the details would be so massive that it would be impractical. ‘In Acts 1:1-4 we are told that Jesus appeared to the disciples and spoke concerning the kingdom of God over a period of 40 days. Some of these things are recorded, some are not. In Acts 20:35 we have recorded a statement of Jesus not to be found in any of the Gospel accounts.’ (Butler p. 462) ‘The Gospel closes with a reminder that the author has done no more than make a selection from the mass of material available.’ (Morris p. 881)

‘would not contain the books which were written’-This would have to be the case if God came to this earth and became flesh (1:14). His life would have to be so amazing that human words could never completely say everything about Him and no amount of written material could be said to have completely exhausted the subject. ‘How could it ever be possible for anyone to deposit in writing the full significance of all that Jesus did, enumerating the facts one by one, and bringing out the significance of each word and deed in which his love (and all the divine virtues) was so gloriously displayed? ….Pencilled on the wall of a narrow room of an asylum were these familiar words: “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.’ (Hendriksen p. 494)