John 21 - NIV Application Bible

21:1–6a Peter decides to return to his long-neglected work of fishing. At sunrise they are finishing up when an unknown voice from shore instructs them to try the opposite side of the boat (v. 6). To toss a cast net at random into the sea at this depth was virtually futile. But Peter quickly spins the net over his head and lets it sail like a parachute, dropping onto the sea as he watches the sinkers take it down.

21:6b–14 In these shallow waters, the miraculous catch cannot be mistaken. Pinned in the net are over one hundred fish (later counted at 153, v. 11), and its weight is more than the boat can take. Immediately the Beloved Disciple recognizes Jesus on the shore and delivers the news to Peter. When Peter hears that Jesus is on the shore, he leaps into the water.

In Judaism, an abundant catch was a sign of God’s favor and blessing; this is precisely what Jesus has given. Jesus’ offer of prepared “bread and fish” precisely parallels what he did at the miraculous feeding in 6:11, and this no doubt serves as a signal that removes any uncertainties.

21:15–17 Jesus’ three questions in vv. 15–17 are perhaps the most celebrated exchange of questions and answers in the entire Bible. In each case, Peter is commissioned to tend Jesus’ flock. The focus of Peter’s conversation with Jesus has to do with his commission to tend the flock of Christ, not the quality of Peter’s love for Jesus.

21:18–19 We should, no doubt, read these verses together with 13:36–38. Peter will lay down his life for Jesus (13:38). He will be crucified also and will glorify God in the same manner as his Lord—but this must await a time in the future. “Follow me” in 21:19 now takes on a poignant and provocative new meaning. Peter will follow Jesus to the cross.

21:20–23 The focus now shifts to the Beloved Disciple. Here at the shore, Peter is charged to “follow” Jesus (v. 19), but we learn that John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, is “following” already (v. 20). Again, he is a model who on one level may be following nearby as Jesus talks privately with Peter, but who on another level is found to be the ideal “follower” whom Peter should emulate.

It is not Peter’s privilege to know how or when John will die. Again, Jesus tells the apostle to follow, and this time the form is emphatic. To paraphrase: “Peter, this matter is not your concern; it is mine. You have one duty: Follow me.”

Verse 23 corrects what must have been an unusual misinterpretation of Jesus’ words that circulated for some time in the early church. No doubt among John’s followers, many believed that their beloved leader would not die but would remain until Christ returned.

21:24–25 John’s disciples affirm the truth of their leader’s work. When they write, “We know that his testimony is true” (emphasis added), we are alerted to their presence in the narrative. Here we have a third party standing between John’s reliable testimony and ourselves as readers. With devotion and humility, they now pen the Gospel’s closing frame.

The Gospel’s closing verse may well come from the hand of John himself (following the quick editorial insertion of v. 24). John reminds us that there is far more to Jesus’ life than what is recorded in his Gospel.

With playful and delightful hyperbole, John says that the whole world would likely be too small to contain the books that might be written about Jesus’ story. John ends his Gospel with humility: The story of Jesus is larger than anything he can imagine. His effort, while glorious for us to read, pales in comparison to the glory of the person whom his story describes.

✜ 21:1–25 In John’s Gospel, the Spirit is not merely an ambiguous spiritual influence but is rather the Spirit of Jesus himself living in his followers. The work of the church, therefore, is not religious energy fueled by our sense of commission; it is a call to work, tied to a divine empowering. It is ministering knowing that Christ himself (through the Spirit) is ministering in and through our efforts.

Good shepherds are men and women who simply hear Jesus’ words, “Follow me,” and obey, thinking about their own discipleship more than that of others. The result is a rich life that glorifies God in humility as it bears witness to Jesus.

This profile no doubt describes John’s life and ministry. He has written his Gospel and supplied us with his testimony. His letters also show that he was a man who loved the church and defended it with all his might.

John’s disciples knew that he was the “Beloved Disciple” because Jesus held a special affection for him. But this title also has another meaning (have we not seen countless double meanings in this Gospel?). This amazing title also describes the church’s love for its own Shepherd. John was likewise beloved among those he led, and this Gospel—this beloved Gospel now concluded by his devoted disciples—stands as a memorial of John’s deep and abiding love for his Savior. His devotion to his one Lord—Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the world, God incarnate—is a beautiful example for all believers to follow.