John 21 - NKJV Study Bible

21:2 John, the author of this Gospel, was one of the sons of Zebedee. The omission of his name here is consistent with his reserve about everything connected with himself in his book.

21:4 the disciples did not know: Perhaps the apostles did not recognize Jesus because they were preoccupied with their work as Mary Magdalene had been with her sorrow (20:14). In addition, there was not much light at this time of day. When the morning had now come refers to daybreak.

21:5 have you any food: The question from the shore was probably regarded as a request to buy fish. The disciples answered that they had nothing to sell.

21:7 That disciple whom Jesus loved is commonly considered to be John, the author of this Gospel. Peter . . . plunged into the sea: John was the first to recognize the Lord; Peter was the first to act. Though Peter often made bad decisions, he had zeal that would eventually be channeled to good use (see Acts 2:14–41).

21:8 Two hundred cubits is about a hundred yards.

21:14 The phrase the third time applies to the disciples as a group. John himself has related three appearances before this one, the first being to Mary Magdalene (20:19–23, 26–29).

21:15 More than these means more than the other disciples (see Matt. 26:22). On two different occasions Peter had claimed extraordinary love for Christ, even comparing himself to other men (see 13:37; Matt. 26:33).

21:16 Tend means to shepherd. Lambs need to be fed (v. 15); sheep need to be guided. Peter would need to care for diverse people in different ways, as Christ had done with His disciples.

21:17 Peter denied the Lord at least three times. Here he affirmed his love for the Lord for the third time.

21:18 Peter must have been bewildered by Christ’s words to him. Jesus had just spoken of the future ministry of Peter; now He spoke of Peter’s death. When Peter was younger, he walked where he wished, moving about without restriction. When Peter became older, he would stretch out his hands, looking for help. Another will gird you means that Peter would be bound as a condemned criminal. The day would come when Peter would be totally under the control of Roman executioners, who would carry him where he would not wish to go, to death (v. 19). His death is hinted at in 2 Pet. 1:13,14. Jesus’ words here confirm the early church tradition that Peter was crucified upside down.

21:20,21 The disciple whom Jesus loved is commonly considered to be John, the author of this Gospel. what about this man: Peter wanted to know if John too would suffer a violent death.

21:22,23 You follow Me: The Lord told Peter that he should be concerned with following God’s will himself and not worrying about God’s will for others. this disciple would not die: The rumor was that Jesus would return before John died.

21:24 This is the disciple: The disciple was the one whom Jesus loved (v. 20). This is basically John’s signature to his Gospel.

21:25 there are also many other things that Jesus did: The Gospel of John is truthful (v. 24), but it is not exhaustive.