John 21 - CSB Tony Evans Study Bible

21:1 The Sea of Tiberias is another name for the Sea of Galilee.

21:4 They didn’t recognize Jesus because it was only daybreak, and they were still some distance away.

21:9 The Greek word for charcoal fire appears two times in John’s Gospel: here and at 18:18, when Peter was warming himself by another such blaze. On that occasion, Peter had denied three times that he knew Jesus. Thus, the Lord was using scents and sights to remind Peter of his recent past. We can be certain of this because of the conversation that follows in 21:15-19. Peter never forgot this meal Jesus provided; he even mentioned it in his preaching (see Acts 10:41).

21:14 The resurrection of Jesus Christ was neither a fairy tale nor a hallucination. He “presented himself alive to [his disciples] by many convincing proofs . . . over a period of forty days” (Acts 1:3).

21:15 When Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, the Greek verb used is agapaō, often used to describe self-sacrificial love. But when Peter affirmed his love for Jesus, the Greek verb is phileō, a brotherly kind of love and affection—a love between good friends. Previously, Peter had claimed that his love for and commitment to Jesus was superior to that of the others (the these to whom Jesus referred). But after his failure and denial, he wasn’t willing to arrogantly say that he loved Jesus with a sacrificial love. In light of this humble response, Jesus told him, Feed my lambs. In other words, “Since you’re not thinking so highly of yourself anymore, I can use you to lead and care for my people.”

21:17 Peter could later write to other church leaders, “Shepherd God’s flock among you . . . not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet 5:2-3). Why? Because Peter had taken to heart Jesus’s command, Feed my sheep.

21:18-19 According to tradition passed down in the early church, Peter was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero for his faith in Jesus Christ: he was crucified upside down.

21:20-22 God has a general will for all of his people. This is expressed in his biblical commands for all of his followers. But he also has a specific will for each individual Christian. Jesus graciously revealed to Peter his will for him. But he wasn’t about to tell Peter his specific will for John.

21:22-23 Jesus wasn’t saying that John would remain alive until his second coming. He was simply saying, “Whatever my specific will is for John, it doesn’t concern you” (21:22). Read and interpret the Bible carefully. Poor interpretation leads to erroneous conclusions!

21:25 John has only given us a highlight reel of Jesus’s ministry! But God providentially determined that what we have in Scripture is enough. You don’t need to know everything Jesus did and said. But, John says, you do need to “believe that Jesus is the Messiah . . . by believing you . . . have life in his name” (20:31).