John 21: Jesus Reveals Himself Again
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
John 21, often likened to a "post-credits scene" in modern films, offers a powerful epilogue to the Gospel, revealing Jesus' continued ministry and restoration of His disciples after the resurrection. This chapter, centered around an encounter at the Sea of Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee), provides crucial insights into Peter's renewed calling and the nature of discipleship. This chapter is a testament to the enduring impact of Jesus' ministry and the ongoing mission entrusted to His followers.
Back to the Sea (John 21:1-3)
Following Jesus' resurrection and multiple appearances (Matthew 28:5-10, John 20:19, 26), the disciples find themselves back in Galilee, awaiting further instructions. Seven of them are together: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two others (John 21:2). Perhaps feeling restless, needing to provide for his family, or even wrestling with the weight of his recent denial of Jesus, Peter announces, "I am going fishing." The others join him, returning to their former trade.
Before Jesus called them, Peter and the Zebedee brothers were fishermen. With Jesus seemingly gone, Peter may have felt drawn back to what he knew. However, their night of labor proves fruitless. They catch nothing (John 21:3). This sets the stage for another demonstration of Jesus' power and provision.
Recognition and Reunion (John 21:4-8)
As dawn breaks, Jesus stands on the shore, though the disciples don't immediately recognize Him. He calls out, instructing them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. Despite their previous failure, they obey, and the net immediately fills with so many fish that they are unable to haul it in (John 21:4-6).
This miraculous catch echoes a previous encounter (Luke 5:4-11) when Jesus first called Peter to be a "fisher of men." John, the disciple Jesus loved, is the first to recognize the Lord, exclaiming to Peter, "It is the Lord!" (John 21:7). Impetuous as ever, Peter immediately jumps into the water and swims towards the shore, eager to reach Jesus (John 21:7). The other disciples follow in the boat, dragging the heavy net behind them (John 21:8).
This miraculous catch of fish opened the eyes of John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Peter had been a fisherman all his life. Nevertheless, he had failed without the Lord’s enablement—something that Jesus had shown him previously (see Luke 5:4-11). Peter was not ultimately self-sufficient but entirely dependent on God, even to accomplish work that had been his whole life. As Jesus told his disciples, “You can do nothing without me” (15:5).
Breakfast on the Beach (John 21:9-14)
Upon reaching the shore, the disciples find a charcoal fire burning with fish and bread already prepared (John 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 reminding Peter of his recent past. Jesus invites them to "Come and have breakfast" (John 21:12). Though they recognize Him as the risen Lord, they are filled with awe and reverence, refraining from asking, "Who are you?" (John 21:12).
John notes that this is the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection (John 21:14), emphasizing the reality and physicality of His resurrected body (John 20:19-23, 20:24-29, Acts 1:3, Luke 24:39). This intimate meal signifies restoration and renewed fellowship. Peter never forgot this meal; he even mentioned it in his preaching (see Acts 10:41).
Peter's Restoration (John 21:15-19)
After breakfast, Jesus turns His attention to Peter, initiating a deeply personal and pivotal conversation. He asks Peter three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15-17). This three-fold question directly confronts Peter's three denials of Jesus during the trial (John 18:25-27).
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. 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.”
Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus commissions him to "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," and "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). This is a clear restoration of Peter to his leadership role and a renewed call to pastoral ministry. Peter’s repentance allowed for restoration. Though Peter had previously thought highly of himself, he had come to adopt Jesus’s view of leadership in ministry. Peter understood that being a leader of God’s people is not about arrogantly exercising power. Therefore, he 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). Peter had taken to heart Jesus’s command, “Shepherd my sheep.” Sometimes God lets his people fail in order to develop them spiritually and prepare them for greater usefulness (see Luke 22:31-32).
Following this restoration, Jesus prophesies about Peter's future, foretelling his eventual martyrdom: "When you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go" (John 21:18). John clarifies that this was to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God (John 21:19). Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. Despite this daunting prospect, Jesus simply commands Peter, "Follow me!" (John 21:19).
Following Jesus: Individual Callings (John 21:20-23)
Peter, upon seeing John, asks Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" (John 21:21). He accepted that he had a martyr’s death awaiting him, but he wanted to know what Jesus’s plans were for John. Jesus' response is direct and challenging: "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:22).
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.
This highlights the individual nature of discipleship. Each believer is called to follow Jesus, focusing on their own relationship with Him and their unique calling, rather than comparing themselves to others. We are not to sit as judges regarding how God chooses to use other believers. Jesus's words are not a prediction about John's lifespan, but a reminder that Peter's focus should be on his own obedience.
The Author's Testimony (John 21:24-25)
The Gospel concludes with a powerful affirmation of John's authorship and the truthfulness of his account. "This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down, and we know that his testimony is true" (John 21:24).
The author acknowledges that his Gospel only contains a small portion of all that Jesus did. “There are also many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). The apostle John has only given us a highlight reel! But God providentially determined that what we have in Scripture is enough. You don’t need to know everything that Jesus did and said. But, John says, you do need to “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31). Amen.
The purpose of the Gospel is not exhaustive historical detail, but to inspire faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, so that readers might have eternal life through believing in His name (John 20:31). John’s Gospel, therefore, is a powerful and sufficient witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways from John 21:
- Restoration is possible: Even after failure, Jesus offers forgiveness and renewed purpose.
- Discipleship is personal: Each believer has a unique calling to follow Jesus.
- Focus on your own obedience: Avoid comparing yourself to others and concentrate on fulfilling God's will for your life.
- The Gospels are a sufficient witness: What we have in Scripture is enough to lead us to faith in Jesus Christ.
John 21 is a chapter of hope, reminding us that Jesus' love and grace extend to all who call upon His name. It's a call to follow Him faithfully, regardless of the cost, trusting in His power to restore and empower us for His service.
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
John 21, often likened to a "post-credits scene" in modern films, offers a powerful epilogue to the Gospel, revealing Jesus' continued ministry and restoration of His disciples after the resurrection. This chapter, centered around an encounter at the Sea of Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee), provides crucial insights into Peter's renewed calling and the nature of discipleship. This chapter is a testament to the enduring impact of Jesus' ministry and the ongoing mission entrusted to His followers.
Back to the Sea (John 21:1-3)
Following Jesus' resurrection and multiple appearances (Matthew 28:5-10, John 20:19, 26), the disciples find themselves back in Galilee, awaiting further instructions. Seven of them are together: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two others (John 21:2). Perhaps feeling restless, needing to provide for his family, or even wrestling with the weight of his recent denial of Jesus, Peter announces, "I am going fishing." The others join him, returning to their former trade.
Before Jesus called them, Peter and the Zebedee brothers were fishermen. With Jesus seemingly gone, Peter may have felt drawn back to what he knew. However, their night of labor proves fruitless. They catch nothing (John 21:3). This sets the stage for another demonstration of Jesus' power and provision.
Recognition and Reunion (John 21:4-8)
As dawn breaks, Jesus stands on the shore, though the disciples don't immediately recognize Him. He calls out, instructing them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. Despite their previous failure, they obey, and the net immediately fills with so many fish that they are unable to haul it in (John 21:4-6).
This miraculous catch echoes a previous encounter (Luke 5:4-11) when Jesus first called Peter to be a "fisher of men." John, the disciple Jesus loved, is the first to recognize the Lord, exclaiming to Peter, "It is the Lord!" (John 21:7). Impetuous as ever, Peter immediately jumps into the water and swims towards the shore, eager to reach Jesus (John 21:7). The other disciples follow in the boat, dragging the heavy net behind them (John 21:8).
This miraculous catch of fish opened the eyes of John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Peter had been a fisherman all his life. Nevertheless, he had failed without the Lord’s enablement—something that Jesus had shown him previously (see Luke 5:4-11). Peter was not ultimately self-sufficient but entirely dependent on God, even to accomplish work that had been his whole life. As Jesus told his disciples, “You can do nothing without me” (15:5).
Breakfast on the Beach (John 21:9-14)
Upon reaching the shore, the disciples find a charcoal fire burning with fish and bread already prepared (John 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 reminding Peter of his recent past. Jesus invites them to "Come and have breakfast" (John 21:12). Though they recognize Him as the risen Lord, they are filled with awe and reverence, refraining from asking, "Who are you?" (John 21:12).
John notes that this is the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection (John 21:14), emphasizing the reality and physicality of His resurrected body (John 20:19-23, 20:24-29, Acts 1:3, Luke 24:39). This intimate meal signifies restoration and renewed fellowship. Peter never forgot this meal; he even mentioned it in his preaching (see Acts 10:41).
Peter's Restoration (John 21:15-19)
After breakfast, Jesus turns His attention to Peter, initiating a deeply personal and pivotal conversation. He asks Peter three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15-17). This three-fold question directly confronts Peter's three denials of Jesus during the trial (John 18:25-27).
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. 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.”
Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus commissions him to "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," and "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). This is a clear restoration of Peter to his leadership role and a renewed call to pastoral ministry. Peter’s repentance allowed for restoration. Though Peter had previously thought highly of himself, he had come to adopt Jesus’s view of leadership in ministry. Peter understood that being a leader of God’s people is not about arrogantly exercising power. Therefore, he 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). Peter had taken to heart Jesus’s command, “Shepherd my sheep.” Sometimes God lets his people fail in order to develop them spiritually and prepare them for greater usefulness (see Luke 22:31-32).
Following this restoration, Jesus prophesies about Peter's future, foretelling his eventual martyrdom: "When you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go" (John 21:18). John clarifies that this was to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God (John 21:19). Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. Despite this daunting prospect, Jesus simply commands Peter, "Follow me!" (John 21:19).
Following Jesus: Individual Callings (John 21:20-23)
Peter, upon seeing John, asks Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" (John 21:21). He accepted that he had a martyr’s death awaiting him, but he wanted to know what Jesus’s plans were for John. Jesus' response is direct and challenging: "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:22).
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.
This highlights the individual nature of discipleship. Each believer is called to follow Jesus, focusing on their own relationship with Him and their unique calling, rather than comparing themselves to others. We are not to sit as judges regarding how God chooses to use other believers. Jesus's words are not a prediction about John's lifespan, but a reminder that Peter's focus should be on his own obedience.
The Author's Testimony (John 21:24-25)
The Gospel concludes with a powerful affirmation of John's authorship and the truthfulness of his account. "This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down, and we know that his testimony is true" (John 21:24).
The author acknowledges that his Gospel only contains a small portion of all that Jesus did. “There are also many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). The apostle John has only given us a highlight reel! But God providentially determined that what we have in Scripture is enough. You don’t need to know everything that Jesus did and said. But, John says, you do need to “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31). Amen.
The purpose of the Gospel is not exhaustive historical detail, but to inspire faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, so that readers might have eternal life through believing in His name (John 20:31). John’s Gospel, therefore, is a powerful and sufficient witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways from John 21:
- Restoration is possible: Even after failure, Jesus offers forgiveness and renewed purpose.
- Discipleship is personal: Each believer has a unique calling to follow Jesus.
- Focus on your own obedience: Avoid comparing yourself to others and concentrate on fulfilling God's will for your life.
- The Gospels are a sufficient witness: What we have in Scripture is enough to lead us to faith in Jesus Christ.
John 21 is a chapter of hope, reminding us that Jesus' love and grace extend to all who call upon His name. It's a call to follow Him faithfully, regardless of the cost, trusting in His power to restore and empower us for His service.