John 21 - CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible

21:5 Clement of Alexandria: Pedagogy is the training of children [see CSB 21:5 footnote], as is clear from the word itself. It remains for us to consider the children whom Scripture points to and then to give the Paedagogue charge of them. We are the children. In many ways Scripture celebrates us and describes us in many different figures of speech, giving variety to the simplicity of the faith by diverse names. Accordingly, in the Gospel, “the Lord, standing on the shore, says to the disciples”—they happened to be fishing—“and called aloud, ‘Children, have you no fish?’ ” In this way he addresses those who were already in the position of disciples as children . . . setting before us, for our imitation, the simplicity that is in children. Christ the Educator 1.5.

21:9-10 Cyril of Alexandria: They see a fire of coals, for the Savior had kindled a fire miraculously and put a fish on it that he had caught by his ineffable power. This too he had done by design. For it was not the hand of the holy apostles or the preaching of these spiritual fisherman among the human race that started the work. For [Christ] first caught one fish as the firstfruits of those who were to come (not that we mean one precisely, for by one is signified a small number). Then afterward the disciples caught the multitude in their nets, being enabled by his divine bidding to catch what they were fishing for. Commentary on the Gospel of John 12:1.

21:12 Chrysostom: “They knew that it was the Lord,” and therefore they did not ask him, “Who are you?” But seeing that his form was altered and full of awe, they were greatly amazed and wanted to ask something about it. But fear, and their knowledge that he was not someone else but the same person, checked the inquiry, and they only ate what he created for them by exercising greater power than before. For here he no longer looks to heaven, nor does he perform those human acts he did before, thereby showing that those things that he did previously were done by way of condescension. Homilies on the Gospel of John 87.2.

21:13-14 Augustine: We find in the four Evangelists ten distinct appearances of the Lord to different persons after his resurrection: First was to the women near the sepulcher; the second to the women returning from the sepulcher; the third, to Peter; the fourth, to the two going to Emmaus; the fifth, to the large number in Jerusalem when Thomas was not present; the sixth when Thomas saw him; the seventh at the sea of Tiberias; the eighth by all the Eleven on a mountain of Galilee mentioned by Matthew; a ninth when for the last time he sat eating with the disciples; a tenth when he was seen no longer on earth but lifted up in the cloud as he ascended into heaven. Harmony of the Gospels 3.25.83.

21:17 Gregory the Great: It appears from these words that, if one who is able refuses to feed the sheep of almighty God, he shows that he does not love the chief Shepherd. For if, in order to accomplish the good of all, the Only Begotten of the Father came forth from the concealment of the Father into our midst, what shall we say if we prefer our privacy over the good of our neighbors? And so, rest is to be desired by us with all our heart. And yet for the advantage of many it should sometimes be laid aside. For, as we ought with full desire to fly from occupation, so, if there should be a lack of anyone available to preach, we need to put a willing shoulder under the burden of occupation. And this we are taught by the conduct of two prophets [Jeremiah and Isaiah], one of whom attempted to shun the office of preaching, while the other desired it. Letter 7.4.

21:20-23 Theodore of Mopsuestia: Peter turned to the secret decision of providence and saw from a distance the disciple John, son of thunder, who followed slowly, admiring the great and sublime promise made by our Lord to Peter. . . . Since John lived long, that is, seventy-three years after the ascension of the Lord to the time of Trajan, and died after all the other apostles in peace and serenity by natural death, the Lord alludes to this by saying, If I want him to live long enough so that he may remain until my return, you do not need to investigate this. Only pay attention to what is yours, that is, take care of your work and follow me. Commentary on John 7.21.20–23.