Lesson 12 - John 21:1-17 - JESUS APPEARS AT THE SEA OF GALILEE
INTRODUCTION: Last week, in John 20:19-31, we covered the first and second appearances of the resurrected Christ to His disciples, where Thomas was absent from the first. When the disciples informed Thomas they had seen the risen Jesus in the flesh, he refused to believe, stating that he required detailed, personal physical proof-seeing Him and touching the crucifixion wounds on His body. Then a week later, when Jesus appeared to all eleven disciples, Thomas did a spiritual about face and confessed Jesus as "my Lord and my God!" (20:28) in the most profound profession of faith of all Scripture. After confirming Thomas' declaration, Jesus said "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed," thereby confirming that those who believe in Jesus without seeing Him in the flesh are just as acceptable to God (i.e., just as saved) as those who did. We learned from this that being "blessed" does more than just describe a person who is made happy but also declares that person to be acceptable to God (20:29). In the final two verses of the chapter (20:30-31), John stated that the purpose of His gospel is evangelistic: "written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name;" and because it is addressed simply to "you," it means that saving faith in Christ is available to anyone who might believe.
This week, in John 21:1-17, we'll conclude our John study with the fourth and last resurrection appearance of Jesus to seven of His disciples in Galilee. This gospel began with a theological prologue (John 1:1-18) and ends here with a practical epilogue. In chapter 20, John concluded with a narrative designed to bring unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ; but now, in Chapter 21, He addresses those who have already come to faith with instructions on how they are to serve Him as they carry out their mission. Even so, the structure of this chapter is similar to the rest of the gospel: First, John narrated an event (21:1-14); then explained Jesus' teachings based on that event (21:15-17).
Read John 21:1-3 - SIMON PETER SAID, I AM GOING FISHING
1 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter *said to them, "I am going fishing." They *said to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
v. 1: "After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way." - "After these things" refers to a time after the resurrection appearances to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18), to ten disciples (20:19-23), and to the ten disciples plus Thomas (20:24-31). Scholars estimate it occurred during the 32-day interval between Thomas' confession and Jesus ascension (Acts. 1:9). Jesus "manifested Himself" in a different way in terms of time and place. The "Sea of Tiberius" is the Roman name for the Sea of Galilee. Previously, Jesus had instructed His disciples to return to Galilee and wait there on Him (Matt. 28:7; Mark 14:28; 16:7).
v. 2: "Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. - Seven disciples are mentioned without explaining why there are only seven. Five are identified by name: "Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, and the sons of Zebedee," who are James and John. The other two are anonymous. In any case, seven was a number that symbolized completeness to the Jews.
v. 3: "Simon Peter *said to them, "I am going fishing." They *said to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. - Some expositors have interpreted Peter's words as a renunciation of his calling as a disciple; however, there is no basis for this conclusion elsewhere in the text. A majority of scholars say Peter's words simply expressed an intention to go fishing, not to change his vocation. At the same time, in view of recent commission that Jesus had given these men, their conduct still seems to be inappropriate, even if it was not rebellious. In any case, it was completely vindicated by their zealous commitment to their mission after the Pentecost. And so far, their diversion to go on a fishing trip has yielded them "nothing."
Read John 21:4-8 - IT IS THE LORD
4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus *said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." 6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
v. 4: "But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus." - the "breaking" of the new day can be seen to symbolize the new era that Jesus was preparing to open up to them as His disciples. The disciples failed to recognize Jesus as He stood within hailing distance on the shore, maybe due to poor visibility in the low light.
v. 5: "So Jesus *said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." - Jesus addressed them with the affectionate greeting "Children" (Gk. paidia), which can also translate to 'boys.' The form of the question assumed a negative answer. One can sense discouragement and perhaps mild embarrassment in the disciples "No" answer.
v. 6: "And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.' So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish." - The unknown authority on the shore promised they would catch fish of they would cast their net on the right-hand side. To experienced fishermen such as these disciples, such a suggestion would seem to be frivolous-nonsense. Yet, amazingly, they follow Jesus' orders. Why? Maybe they remembered a previous occasion when Jesus had told Peter, James, and John to lower their nets and their catch was so great it burst the nets (Luke 5:1-11). The reason for their obedience is not as important as the fact: Because they had obeyed Jesus, they experienced overwhelming success, which completely exceeded their natural abilities. These men would later reflect from this teaching that obedience to Jesus was the key to their supernatural success.
v. 7a: "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, "It is the Lord."" - Just as in the empty tomb, John, the "disciple whom Jesus loved," was the first to recognize the risen Lord.
v. 7b: "So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea." - True to form, Peter was the first to react. He probably wasn't stark "naked." The Greek word gymnos can also mean lightly clothed. He most likely put on his fisherman's smock before he launched himself over the side. He obviously intended to reach Jesus first, faster than a boat dragging a net full of fish would get him there.
v. 8: "But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish." - The other disciples exercised more self-restraint than Peter. One hundred yards equals the length of a football field, a long distance to haul-in a net totally filled with fish. John, a cooler head than Peter, has apparently realized a miracle has happened, which he recorded in this verse. Switching the net shouldn't have made any difference.
Read John 21:9-14 - THEY SAW A CHARCOAL FIRE ALREADY LAID
9 So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. 10 Jesus *said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught." 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus *said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
v. 9: "So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread." - The only other place the words "charcoal fire" (Gk. anthrakian) appear in the NT is when Peter warmed himself over a similar charcoal fire when he betrayed Jesus a third time and the rooster crowed (John 18:18-27). Now Jesus was setting the stage for a new lesson He was about to teach the disciples, and to Peter in particular. We should also recall that before His crucifixion, Jesus had served his disciples by washing their feet (John 13:1-17); and now He continues to serve them as their risen Lord by providing them with a warm fire and breakfast.
v. 10: "Jesus *said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught." - Even though there was already one fish (singular) on the fire, Jesus instructs His disciples to bring some of the fish they had caught in the net. Rather than provide for their physical need by multiplying the food (as He had done with the 5,000), He would now use the product (plural) of their own labor to satisfy their needs. Even though it was clear that the fish had resulted from His miraculous provision, it signified how Jesus would carry out His mission through His disciples (plural) in the future as 'fishers of men.'
v. 11: "Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn." - Here, what the other six disciples were apparently unable to do, Peter accomplishes all by himself. This is a compliment not only to Peter's physical strength, but also to his leadership role among the disciples. Many theories have been exposited about the significance of the number 153, but we don't have time to go there. Most scholars agree that the large catch represents Christians, and the gospel net represents the church, which still remains intact despite the great weight of the large catch.
v. 12: "Jesus *said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord." - Three invitations stand out in John's gospel: "Come and you will see" (1:39), when Jesus first called His disciples to follow Him; "come to Me and drink," a call to drink the living water of the gospel (7:37); and here, "Come and have breakfast," a call to feed and care for people as part of the gospel ministry. Notice that none of the disciples asked Jesus to identify Himself; they knew the man serving them breakfast had to be their Lord and Master.
v. 13: "Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise." - Here, we see Jesus providing for the physical needs of his followers as He had often done before. The disciples would surely recall How Jesus had fed the multitudes earlier, showing them that He could take meager resources, multiply them, and use them to produce a supernatural blessing.
v. 14: This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead." - This is technically the fourth appearance, though it is the third to the disciples. The first was to Mary Magdalene only.
Read John 21:15-17 - SHEPHERD MY SHEEP
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs." 16 He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17 He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.
v. 15a: "So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." - Teaching followed eating as Jesus had often done before. Jesus addressed Peter as, "Simon, son of John," as He had done in His original call to follow Him (1:42). He asked if he loved Him (Gk. agapēo, i.e., unconditionally). "[M]ore than these" could refer to boats, fishing, or other the disciples. And Peter responds, yes, I love you (Gk. philo, i.e., like a brother).
v. 15b: "He *said to him, "Tend My lambs.'" - Jesus has referred to Himself as the 'Good Shepherd' (10:14). Now He was committing His flock to this disciple who had failed Him in the past. Jesus has formerly called Peter to be a fisher of men but now is calling him to be a shepherd, a pastoral role.
vv. 16-17: He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17 He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep." - Jesus asked twice (vv. 15b-16a) whether Peter "loved" (agapēo)-unconditionally-and Peter twice responded that he "loved" Him (philo)-like a brother. Now He asks Peter a third time if He "loved" (philo) Him, using the weaker word. And Peter, hurt by Jesus' pointing out his weakness, this time responds "you know that I love (agapēo) You." From this, we see a chastened and humbled Peter completely affirm his love for Jesus in the presence of witnesses around the campfire. There can be little doubt that this scene was intended to show that Peter had been fully restored and commissioned to his position of leadership.
APPLICATION-Loving and Serving
1. To serve Christ effectively, you must realize your insufficiency and Christ's all-sufficiency. The disciples were experienced professional fishermen, but we read (John 21:3b-5), "... that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, 'Children, you do not have any fish, do you?' They answered Him, 'No.'" Their one-word answer may reflect their frustration: "No." Whenever you read that Jesus asked a question, you need to understand that He wasn't looking for information. He knew that they had not caught anything, but He wanted them to recognize and acknowledge their insufficiency.
2. To serve Christ effectively, we must obey His commands. Granted, the disciples did not yet know that it was the Lord. John doesn't explain why these tired, seasoned fishermen would have obeyed some stranger giving advice from the shore. But his point in telling the story is to show that if you do what Jesus commands, He will give the blessing. Also, this experience no doubt reminded them of that night on the front end of Jesus' ministry, when He told Peter to put out into the deep water and let down their nets for a catch, but Peter protested (Luke 5:5), "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." When Peter obeyed, the Lord almost sank their boat with the miraculous catch of fish
3. To serve Christ effectively, you must first allow Him minister to you. Jesus already had some fish prepared on the charcoal fire, but then He took some of the fish that He had just provided for them, cooked them, and served them breakfast. Although some commentators come up with some fanciful allegorical significance to the 153 fish they caught, it's probably just an eyewitness account that shows that John wasn't making up this story. Like all fishermen, they counted the fish. Is the Lord using you to tell the good news of salvation and to help others grow in Him? To be effective, first make sure that you have trusted in Him as your Savior and Lord. Then recognize your insufficiency to serve Him, but trust in His all-sufficiency. Obey His commands. Be eager for fellowship with Him. Let Him first minister to you. Then, make it your purpose by His grace to impact those around you by spilling your full cup of Jesus onto them.
