John 21 - King James Version Bible Commentary

Jn 21:1. Showed he himself (Gr phaneroo¯, to reveal or make known; show or manifest). Jesus now reveals His glory to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias (Galilee).

Jn 21:2. Peter, Nathanael, James, John, and two other unnamed disciples were together.

Jn 21:3-4. Again Peter is the man of action. I go a fishing. Although the Greek present tense (I am going to fish) is used here and normally denotes continual action, this does not necessarily mean that Peter intended to return permanently to his former occupation. As they arrive at the shore after a frustrating night, they see Jesus, but for some providential reason, they do not recognize Him.

Jn 21:5-6. Children (lit., lads). This question and negative answer was a blow to these fishermen’s egos. Fishermen would not usually respond immediately to this unusual request by a stranger on the shore. However, there was something compelling about this Stranger that caused them to obey without an objection.

Jn 21:7-8. It is the Lord. John finally recognizes that this Stranger is the Lord. Peter again is the first in action; he puts on his coat, for he was naked (lit., “stripped” of his overcoat). Peter’s enthusiasm to be with the Lord would indicate that he was not fishing in disobedience to the Lord’s command. The rest of the disciples now join the Lord and Peter.

Jn 21:9-11. Christ had already prepared a meal when they arrived. It consisted of fish and bread. Bring of the fish. They count the number of fish and discover that although there were one hundred fifty-three fish, yet was not the net broken.

Jn 21:12-13. Come and dine. Christ invites them to breakfast. The disciples are speechless in the presence of their risen Lord.

Jn 21:14. Shewed himself (see notes on Jn 21:1).

Jn 21:15. After breakfast, the attention of the Lord is upon Peter. Peter had denied his Lord three times, and now the Lord asks Peter three times, Lovest thou me? Two Greek words for “love” are played against each other in the original: Agapao¯, when used in distinction from the other, connotes love as an emotion of deep appreciation based upon careful consideration. It means to recognize the worth of someone and esteem him highly. The synonym phileo¯, when used in distinction as here, connotes “love” as a pure, intense “feeling of love.” It is a personal, warm, intimate relationship like that between family members. It is a love that is more spontaneous than philosophical. Jesus asks Peter, lovest thou me more than these? This refers to the other disciples. Peter had boasted of his loyalty, and yet had denied his Lord. The other disciples had not denied the Lord. Consequently, the Lord is really probing the sincerity of Peter’s love. Peter answers, using a different word (Gr phileo¯). “I have a deep affection for You.” Feed (Gr bosko¯, feed, graze, or tend to) my lambs. Christ is commissioning Peter to a pastoral office of caring for His sheep.

Jn 21:16. Jesus asks, lovest thou me (Gr agapao¯)? Peter responds, I love thee (Gr phileo¯). Feed (Gr poimaino¯, shepherd) my sheep.

Jn 21:17. Jesus asks a third time, and the third question is the most convicting. The first two times, Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him (using agapao¯). Now the third time Jesus changes the verb to phileo¯. Peter is grieved, and he appeals to the omniscience of his Master. Thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee (Gr phileo¯). It is interesting to note that in Christ’s commissioning Peter to tend to the sheep, the first time He tells Peter to feed His lambs, the second and third times to feed His sheep (using two different Greek words).

Jn 21:18-19. Christ now prophesies that one day Peter’s freedom would cease. Old. This indicates that Peter will have a long, useful life of service. Thou shall stretch forth thy hands. This language could refer to crucifixion, and church tradition concurs that this is how Peter died. Glorify God. What confidence the Lord gives to the one who had denied Him. Peter would be faithful to the end, and would bring glory to God through his death. Follow me. The Lord calls Peter to a life of total commitment to Him.

Jn 21:20-23. Jesus begins to leave, and as Peter follows Him, he turns around and sees John following. Having been told about his future, Peter wants to know about John’s future. The emphasis of Christ’s rebuke is that Peter should not be concerned about John, but about the job which he must do. The disciples misunderstand the rebuke. They had forgotten the if. The future of John was not their business.

Jn 21:24. The disciple. This refers to John. Testifieth. The entire book of John is a testimony to the deity of Jesus Christ. We know. The we probably refers to the elders in the church of Ephesus. They are not identified by name.

Jn 21:25. John concludes by reminding his readers that he has described only a small portion of all that Jesus did.