After the profound events of his resurrection, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, marking a significant moment in their understanding of his resurrected form and their mission ahead. This chapter, John 21 from the King James Version (KJV), beautifully illustrates Jesus’s continued ministry and personal interactions with his followers after his triumph over death. It is a powerful narrative of recognition, restoration, and reaffirmation, central to the Christian faith.
The scene unfolds with Simon Peter and several other disciples gathered together. Peter, perhaps feeling the weight of recent events and his denial of Jesus, declares, “I go a fishing.” The others, demonstrating their loyalty and perhaps a sense of uncertainty about their next steps, respond, “We also go with thee.” They embark on a fishing expedition, a familiar activity from their past lives, yet this night mirrors their earlier struggles before encountering Jesus – they catch nothing.
As dawn breaks, Jesus appears on the shore, though initially, the disciples do not recognize him. Jesus, in his characteristic way of guiding them towards deeper understanding, calls out, “Children, have ye any meat?” Their honest reply, “No,” sets the stage for another miraculous demonstration of his power and care. He instructs them to “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” Obedience to his word results in an overwhelming catch – so abundant that they are unable to haul the net in due to the sheer number of fish.
It is John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who first recognizes the figure on the shore, exclaiming to Peter, “It is the Lord.” Peter, upon hearing this confirmation, impulsively jumps into the sea to reach Jesus, highlighting his passionate devotion and eagerness to be with his Master. The other disciples follow in the boat, dragging the heavy net filled with fish.
Upon reaching the land, they find a fire already prepared, with fish laid on it and bread. Jesus invites them to bring some of the fish they have just caught, further emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event as they present a net filled with one hundred and fifty and three large fish – an exact and significant number, though the net remained unbroken. Jesus then invites them, “Come and dine,” sharing a meal with them, solidifying their renewed fellowship and demonstrating his tangible, resurrected presence.
This meal is more than just nourishment; it is a moment of profound recognition and unspoken understanding. The text notes, “none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” They recognize him not through questioning but through a deep, intuitive faith. This marks the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, further establishing the reality of his victory over death and his continued presence with them.
Following the meal, Jesus turns his attention specifically to Simon Peter, initiating a deeply personal and restorative dialogue. Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” Each time Peter affirms his love, and each time Jesus commissions him, “Feed my lambs,” or “Feed my sheep.” This threefold questioning directly addresses Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus before the crucifixion. It is a moment of profound healing and restoration, reinstating Peter to his role as a leader and shepherd within the emerging Christian community.
Furthermore, Jesus prophesies about Peter’s future, saying, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest 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 prophecy foretells Peter’s martyrdom, indicating that he would glorify God through his death. Following this, Jesus simply commands Peter, “Follow me,” reaffirming the call to discipleship.
Peter, turning and seeing John following them, inquires about John’s future, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus’s response, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me,” redirects Peter’s focus back to his own calling and relationship with Jesus. It underscores the personal nature of discipleship and the importance of each individual following Jesus’s specific call for their lives, without comparing themselves to others.
The chapter concludes with a statement about the disciple who recorded these events (traditionally understood to be John himself), affirming the truthfulness of his testimony. It ends with a broader reflection on the immensity of Jesus’s works, suggesting that if everything Jesus did were to be written down, “even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” This powerful closing emphasizes the vastness and depth of Jesus’s life and ministry, of which John 21 offers just a glimpse.
John 21 Kjv serves as a powerful testament to Jesus’s resurrection, his ongoing relationship with his disciples, and the restoration and commissioning of Peter. It is a chapter rich with themes of faith, obedience, love, and the personal call to follow Jesus, resonating deeply with believers through centuries.
