Gospel Light Christian Church Thru-The-Bible Series (6.4)

The Gospel Of John

John 21:1-25 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

Jesus Appears at the Sea of Galilee

v.1 After these things described in the previous chapter, Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples. We are not told the exact time of this event. It could be anytime between the eighth and fortieth day after His resurrection. We only know that it was not on a Sabbath day, otherwise the disciples would not have gone fishing. Jesus loves to shew Himself to us. The problem is that we are usually too busy to notice His presence. John says that Jesus on this wise shewed himself, implying that the details of Jesus' actions described by John are worth noting because they teach us many important lessons about Him. [1]

v.2 Jesus revealed Himself to these seven disciples. '"Seven" is the number of completion or perfection.  Jesus' appearance in broad daylight to seven disciples who knew Him well was perfect proof of His bodily resurrection. As usual, John does not mention himself by name, but modestly identifies himself as one of the sons of Zebedee. Thomas is mentioned next to Peter. After he was restored by Jesus (20:29), he ceased to be a doubter and became a doer.

v.3 When Jesus called them three years earlier, they were fishing.  Three years later, they were still fishermen. The fact that these fishermen could "turn the world upside down" proves that they were sent by God. They fished at night because nighttime is generally a better time to fish. For fishermen to catch nothing after a whole night's labour is not unusual. [2]

v.4 The morning was now come, ie, it was bright. The disciples did not recognise Jesus because He was too far away or because His resurrection body was different from His physical body. Jesus' resurrection body was in many ways the same as His physical body so that they could recognise that it was Jesus, and yet it was also in many ways different from His physical body so that the disciples often had difficulty recognising Him.  We are not given enough information about Jesus' resurrection-body to be have a clear concept of it.

v.5 Jesus knew that they had laboured all night and were now hungry, and He was concerned for them. Though Jesus was now risen in His resurrection body, He still cared for their physical needs. Jesus, the same yesterday, and today, and forever (HEB 13:8). [3]

v.6 Jesus, as God is omniscient (ie, all-knowing), He knew that a school of fish was swimming on the right side of the ship. Jesus is also omnipotent (ie, all-powerful) and could have created a school of fish at the right side of the ship, or directed a school of fish to the right side of the ship. When we evangelise without Jesus' help none will be truly saved, but when Jesus works, none can resist Him (ROM 9:16).

v.7 As usual John (ie, the disciple whom Jesus loved) was quick to discern from the marvellous catch that the one on the shore was the Lord. As usual, it was Peter who was quick to act. Peter had removed his fisher’s coat (probably a robe) so that he could fish more easily in his underclothes. When he went to meet the Lord he girt his fisher's coat because he felt too underdressed (ie, naked) to meet his Lord. The boat was probably near the shore (v.8) so that Peter could wade to shore; otherwise it would be extremely difficult for him to swim in a coat.

v.8 The little ship came towards shore slowly because it was dragging the net with fishes. Peter was too impatient to come slowly.

v.9 It appears that the fire of coals and fish and bread were miraculously provided because there is no mention of the disciples noticing them earlier. Jesus tenderly provides for the physical needs of His disciples. [4]

v.10 Jesus tells them to bring in the net so that they would realise the magnitude of the miraculous catch.

v.11 Peter went up into the boat and with the other disciples drew the net to land. The net was filled with an hundred and fifty and three great fishes. There have been many speculations about the significance of the number 153 but none are satisfactory. Besides the miraculous size of the catch, the net was also miraculously not broken. [5]

v.12 The disciples knew that it was the Lord and were too overawed to ask Him any questions.

v.13 It appears that the Lord also ate with them (ACT 10:41). Jesus' resurrection body does not need food, but He condescends so as to fellowship with His disciples.

v.l4 Though Jesus had appeared more than three times since He was risen from the dead.  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples as a group.

v.15 The disciples were quiet throughout the meal because they were so full of reverence for the risen Lord. It was only after the disciples had dined and were no more hungry and cold that Jesus spoke. We must learn from Jesus' example not to teach when our audience is distracted by physical needs or other distractions. Jesus speaks to Peter because he was the one that had denied Him thrice. Jesus wanted Peter to be aware of his sin, make restitution for it, and then reinstate him as one of His apostles. If Jesus did not do this, the other disciples would think that Peter's sin of denying Jesus was of no significance. And if Jesus did not publicly reinstate Peter, there would be continuing doubts whether Peter was still an apostle.

Jesus addresses Peter as Simon son of Jonas to remind him of who he originally was before Jesus chose him as one of His apostles (1:35-42). Peter had claimed that he would not forsake Jesus even if the other disciples did (MAT 26:33). Therefore, Jesus asks him, "lovest thou me more than these other disciples?" to remind him of his arrogant over-confidence. Peter answered "thou (who can see my heart) knowest that I love thee" but refuses to say that he loved Jesus more than the other disciples. He had learned, from his denial, not to be arrogant. Can we, like Peter, say to Jesus "thou knowest that I love you.” 

Jesus asked Peter the most important question of all, ie, whether he loved Him. Jesus did not ask Peter whether he believed, or whether he thought that Jesus had forgiven him, or whether he understood all the doctrines.  However, love is not a matter of inference but one of consciousness and intuition. Parents often ask their child whether he loves them because even a child knows how he feels. The word that Jesus used for "love” was one that spoke of a high, noble love. When Peter replies, he uses a different Greek word for "love" which speaks of a lower form of emotional, passionate love. Peter uses the lower form of ”love" because that is what he actually felt in his heart. Christians love Jesus because He first loved them (1JO 4:19), and died for them.

Jesus tells Peter that since he loved Him then he should "feed His lambs." When we love someone, we naturally desire to serve that person, eg. a mother naturally feeds her child. However, when we love Jesus we are in a dilemma because there is nothing that we can do for Him who is in heaven. Therefore, Jesus tells Peter to feed His lambs, ie, weak, young Christians. In other words, we express our love to Jesus by "feeding" weak Christians with Scripture, friendship, encouragement, hospitality, physical help, etc. Peter needed to learn that the evidence of genuine love to Jesus was not a bold boastful profession of zeal and faithfulness (as Peter had earlier done), but a simple feeding of Jesus' disciples. Genuine faith and love always result in actions. Though Jesus spake particularly to Peter; the principle of expressing our love to Jesus by serving others applies to all Christians. In this chapter, the two main activities of a Christian are taught, namely, those of evangelising (fishing) and edifying (feeding).

v.16 Peter denied Jesus three times claiming that he did not know Him. Therefore, Jesus makes him publicly confirm three times (v. 17) that he loves Him. In this verse Jesus tells Peter to "feed His sheep." In the original Greek, the word "feed" is different from that in verse 15. In verse 15, it simply means to feed but in verse 16 it means to rule, to tend as a shepherd tends his flock. In other words, besides feeding there is also an element of guiding and protecting. "Sheep" refer to mature Christians. Mature Christians, like mature sheep, tend to venture away and need to be protected from false doctrines, unequal yoke, etc.

v.17 Peter was grieved to be asked the same question three times. Jesus did not doubt the honesty of Peter's earlier answers but wanted to teach him how much more He was grieved when He was denied three times. Though God forgives the sins that we have repented of, we must not forget them. Peter adds "thou knowest all things"' to emphasise that there was no way he could be lying about loving Jesus. Only God knows all things. Therefore, Peter acknowledged that Jesus is God. This time, Jesus uses the Greek word for "love" which refers to the lower, emotional, passionate kind of love. Jesus condescends to Peter's infirmity.

If we do not love Him, then we cannot serve Him or His flock. Love must be the basis for every Christian's action. Without love to Jesus all service to God is unacceptable in His eyes. Fear is the basis for the actions of others. If we serve men because we love them we will soon be discouraged when they fail us in some way, but if we serve men because we love Jesus we will continue serving them even if they fail us. The Greek word that is translated as "feed" is the same as that in verse 15, ie, actual feeding only. Jesus repeats the need to feed His sheep three times because feeding the sheep is difficult work. [6]

v.l8 Jesus now switches topic from Peter's duty to Peter's future. Peter, like all Jews, expected the Messiah to reign over a physical kingdom. Therefore, Jesus warns him that instead of physical ease and honour he would be persecuted and finally martyred (v.19). [7] He tells Peter that when he was young he was free to do what he pleased (ie, walkedst whither thou wouldest). However, when he was old he would be carried whither he wouldest not (ie, against his wishes). Stretching forth of hands occurred during crucifixion. Church tradition teaches that Peter was crucified upside down. It is a great comfort to know that nothing happens by chance but our future is in God's hands. Therefore we can say, even when we are going through trials, that it is from God. A good Christian may groan because of pain, but will not grumble because of dissatisfaction.

v.19 Most Christians view life as a time to glorify God, and death as an end of the opportunity to glorify - God. Throughout church history, martyrs' deaths have often been more effective in furthering Christ's Cause than their sermons. It is commonly said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. Even hypocrites preach good sermons, but only genuine Christians willingly die for their Lord. After this short dialogue with Peter around the fire, Jesus arises and tells Peter to follow Him. Jesus not only wanted Peter to follow Him to wherever He was going to at this time, but also to follow Him (ie, live as Jesus lived) all the days of his life. Whether others follow Jesus or not, our primary duty is to follow Him. Often Christians are discouraged by the behaviour of others, and use this as an excuse for not following Jesus.

v.20 As Peter was following Jesus, he turned about and saw John also following them. The other disciples must have also followed them because they heard what Jesus said to Peter (v.22,23). John identifies himself as the one whom Jesus loved; and the one who leaned on Jesus' breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee (13:25).

v.21 Peter is aware of his martyrdom, and is curious to find out from Jesus how John would die. We are not told why Peter desired to find out, but the likeliest reason is that he was simply curious. Man is naturally curious to know about future events and others' affairs, rather than concentrate on their own present duties. Man's idle curiosity is a common cause for the neglect of present duties. There is also a noble curiosity that helps us to understand others better so that we may serve them better, or to understand scripture better so that we may serve God more acceptably.

v.22 Jesus rebukes Peter for his idle curiosity. He tells Peter "If I will that John tarries till I come, it is none of your business." Peter's business was to focus on his duty to follow Jesus. Jesus' rebuke must not be used by us as an excuse to ignore the needs of others. Jesus rebuked Peter because he was asking out of idle curiosity, not for the purpose of being useful. God mercifully hides much of the future from us to spare us agony, or pride, or complacency. Can we imagine how depressing it could be if each of us had a clear picture of the way we would grow old and die?

v.23 The other disciples overheard what Jesus said to Peter regarding John and came to the conclusion that John should not die until Jesus' second coming (ie, till He come). The disciples failed to hear, or failed to place sufficient importance on the little word "if." We are so prone to misinterpret things that we hear because our hearing is defective, or more so because we desire to hear things the way we like. Thank God He has given us the written Word! This wrong teaching that John would not die till Jesus' second-coming spread (ie, this saying went abroad among the brethren) as a reliable church tradition. Church traditions believed by godly men may be totally wrong.

v.24 John testifies that what he had written in this Gospel is true.

v.25 Jesus' teachings, activities and miracles recorded in the four Gospels represent a very tiny fraction of all that He said, did and performed. John emphasises this by saying hyperbolically that if he attempted to record all that Jesus did then even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. [8]

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Footnotes

[1] The sea of Tiberias (also called the Sea of Galilee, or Lake of Gennesaret) and its surroundings was the place where Jesus performed many of His miracles. It was also the place where Jesus had called them to be His disciples.

[2] Many commentators have condemned Peter's return to fishing as spiritual backsliding. This is an unfair condemnation because the disciples had not yet been sent out by Jesus. Thus far, Jesus had only told them of their coming mission (20:21). They were later commissioned at Pentecost for their great task (ACT 2). Till then, they kept busy doing what they could. They were men who had to work for their daily needs, therefore; they resorted to their means of livelihood as fishermen.

[3] Jesus shouted to His disciples - who were some distance from the shore. The word ''children" is better translated "lads." The word "meat" is old English for "food."

[4] This fire of coals may have reminded Peter of the night that he denied the Lord thrice (LUK 22:5). The fish and bread may have reminded the disciples of the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes which Jesus performed somewhere near this place (MAT 14:13-21).

[5] In the previous example of a miraculous catch, the net was broken (LUK 5:6). In that miracle Peter was using his own fishing net, but in this Peter was probably using a borrowed net. Therefore, Jesus performed another miracle to preserve the net.  The money obtained from the sale of these fish would be useful to pay their expenses for their travel to Jerusalem to attend Pentecost (ACT 2). God hates laziness and usually expects us to use our abilities to provide for our needs.

[6] Peter remembered this lesson well (1PE 5:2).

[7] Unlike many modern evangelists, Jesus did not get disciples by offering false promises of health and wealth.

[8] Hyperbolic speech is commonly used to emphasise a point, eg. I am drowning in my work. Hyperbolic speech is used in the Bible (JOS 5:6, MAT 11:23). The Bible contains all that we need to know - if any more were added it would be a hindrance rather than a help. God has placed just the perfect amount of law to convict sinners, just the perfect amount of grace to comfort converts, just the perfect number of examples to teach us great truths, etc.