John 21 - NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible

21:1–3 John has three purposes in the final chapter of his Gospel: to describe the miraculous catch of fish, to recount Jesus’ forgiveness of Peter, and to provide an affirmation of the truthfulness of the Gospel’s witness.

Verse 1 sets up the only resurrection appearance in this Gospel that takes place in Galilee, and it is unique to John’s Gospel. There is no way to know how long after the events in the previous chapter this encounter occurred. Seven disciples were present. John himself was one of the seven, being one of Zebedee’s two sons (v. 2). One should not necessarily understand Peter’s decision to go fishing in a negative light. The result of the expedition was the same as that of the all-night fishing excursion recorded in Luke’s Gospel (Lk 5:4). Night was a good time for fishing because the evening enabled fishermen to escape the heat of the day and sell their catch in the morning.

21:4–8 As dawn broke, a stranger on the shore highlighted the fact that the disciples had caught nothing. Initially, they didn’t recognize Jesus. His instruction to cast the net on the right side of the boat was similar to what he had told them a few years before (Lk 5:6–7). Then John recognized Jesus and informed Peter, who put on his outer garments and swam to shore (Jn 21:7). The other disciples rowed the 100 yards to shore, dragging the enormous catch of fish.

21:9–14 When they arrived, they discovered Jesus already preparing breakfast for them. He invited them to contribute to the meal. The number of fish caught was 153. This was Jesus’ third appearance to the disciples after his death and resurrection (20:19–23,24–29), not including his appearance to Mary. John’s purpose in recounting the story may be nothing more than to set the stage for the restoration of Peter. However, the encounter may have reminded some of them that they first met Jesus on the seashore, where he had called them to be fishers of people.

21:15–17 The dialogue between Jesus and Peter is one of the most famous exchanges in the Bible. The encounter must be read in conjunction with Peter’s threefold denial. Just as Peter denied Jesus three times in the presence of their enemies, now Peter must affirm his love for Jesus in the presence of their friends. Jesus used Peter’s full name to underscore the seriousness of the exchange. In the light of the burning coals, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Jesus had masterfully recreated the scene where not too long before Peter had denied him as he warmed himself by a fire. Jesus was likely asking Peter if he loved him more than the other disciples loved him. Earlier Peter had asserted confidently that he would lay down his life for Jesus regardless of what the others might do. The fact that Jesus asked him the same question three times grieved Peter (v. 17). He knew he had denied Jesus three times. Jesus made sure that Peter understood that loving him means caring for his people. By calling his people his “sheep,” Jesus reminded Peter that he is the Good Shepherd. Jesus replied to each of Peter’s responses with a call to service.

21:18–19 Jesus next called Peter to suffering and death. Peter’s commission was followed by a prophecy. The early church understood this to be a reference to Peter’s death by crucifixion. Just as Christ’s death brought glory to God, so would Peter’s. By the time John wrote his Gospel, Peter had already glorified Christ in martyrdom. Peter’s earlier words that he would lay his life down for Jesus were fulfilled.

21:20–23 Peter was concerned about what would happen to the beloved disciple. Jesus made it clear that what he did with the beloved disciple was none of Peter’s business. Peter was to concentrate on following him. A misunderstanding of Jesus’ words led to a rumor that John would not die before Jesus’ second coming. John clarified Jesus’ point (v. 23).

21:24–25 It is difficult to know if these final words are the words of John’s disciples authenticating the veracity of the beloved disciple’s witness or if they are the words of John referring to himself indirectly and in the third person. The difficulty remains with the use of the first-person plural “we know” (v. 24). It is possible that John is referring to himself and his disciples or to himself and his readers. The final verse reminds us that, though historical knowledge of Jesus is limited, we have been given all we need to know in the biblical accounts of his life.