With Dale Ratzlaff
John 21:1-14
Some believe this chapter was added to chapter 20 sometime later. The last two verses of Chapter 20 studied in the last lesson appear to form a fitting conclusion to John’s Gospel:
Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been 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 (Jn. 20:30-31).
Some even hold that John may have dictated this chapter, perhaps to one of the elders in the church of Ephesus where John was ministering. This theory comes from the “we” in verse 24.
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
Whether these theories are true or not does in no way depreciate the value and authenticity of this chapter. No manuscript of this Gospel has been found that does not include chapter 21.
After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.
The Sea of Tiberias is the same as the Sea of Galilee, which we learn from John 6:1.
After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).
The Sea of Tiberias gets its name from a town of the same name on its shores. It was named after the Roman Emperor. This town was founded in AD 20, so it is unlikely that the lake was called “Tiberias” during Jesus’ ministry ( Leon Morris, The Gospel of John, p. 341).
Just why the disciples had left Jerusalem and were in Galilee, John does not tell us. However, from Mark, we find the reason. The women came to the tomb and,
Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you” (Mk. 16:4-7).
“Manifested” is a word John used a number of times in His Gospel. It means more than to “reveal.” Jesus is revealing Himself after the resurrection. He is showing His disciples as He is—the Risen Christ.
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.
Characteristically, John does not name himself, rather in this instance, he includes himself as one of the sons of Zebedee. Why he does not name the other two is unknown. Those he does name are all identified earlier in this Gospel.
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.
Peter still seems to be the leader of the disciple group. Even though He denied the Lord the night of the trial of Jesus, the other disciples seem not to hold it against him. As portrayed in all the Gospel, Peter it assertive. He declares what he will do, and the others join him. Jesus had promised that His disciples would see Him in Galilee. But did not give them the exact date or place. Uncertain just where or when they would see the Risen Christ and perhaps needing money or just something to do while waiting for Christ to appear, they go fishing. A good catch of fish would always be appropriate for these men.
4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
There is no description of how Jesus arrived on the beach. Perhaps just as He “appeared” to them behind closed doors, He suddenly was manifested on the beach. The disciples did not know it was Jesus because they were out on the lake and in the dim light or haze of the early morning, they could not recognize him.
5 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”
The word translated “Children” is used to describe a newborn child, babe, or a small child (Bible Works 10 at John 20:5). Yes, and these disciples were in essence babes in their newfound Christian life and understanding. The way this question is worded in Greek indicates that Jesus knew they had caught no fish. He asked them, not for information, but to have them state the fact of their unproductive night’s work.
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.
It is very unusual for trained fishermen to follow the instructions of a stranger on the beach. Professional fishermen do not like others who know nothing about their trade giving them advice.
Yet these men obey the orders of Jesus with strange promptness. Something compellingly authoritative seems to make obedience to Jesus altogether natural. Something masterfully assuring seems to put the promise of Jesus (“you shall find”) altogether beyond question (R.C.H. Lenski, Commentary of the New Testament, John, p. 1406).
Instantly the nets were filled with fish. They were struggling to haul the nets into the boat. Suddenly, John has the needed insight.
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.
This event is a close parallel to what Luke records. The similarity between these two must have been apparent and convincing. It called forth the insight from John, who immediately told Peter, “it is the Lord.”
When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken (Lk. 5:4-9).
The impetuous Peter jumps into the lake and swims to shore to meet Jesus.
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.
We read nothing about Peter greeting Jesus before the other disciples towing the net full of fish reached the shore. Some have speculated, that they reached the shore about the same time. They see the charcoal fire, but before they got close to greet Jesus, He tells them to bring some fish to augment what He already has on the coals.
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.
The many precise details of this manifestation all support the conclusion that this was written by an eyewitness. The disciples’ minds must have been racing to remember the many miraculous events of the past three years, such as the feeding of the multitudes with just a few loaves and fish and then taking up more than they started with. Jesus has directed their efforts to make a successful catch; now He invites them to share their catch.
The disciples in the boat pulled the nets to shore. Now Peter, probably with the others, drew the net to land “full of large fish.”
I wondered how big a “large,” eatable fish caught in the Sea of Galilee would be. According to several Goggle searches, they would average between four and fifteen pounds. If the average were ten pounds, that would mean this catch weighed about 1,530 lbs. No wonder they could not pull the net full of fish into the boat. Some have wondered why the number of fish is recorded, but for the disciples, this catch was a memorable event.
I am preparing this lesson on September 11. Like that memorable event, now eighteen years later I can remember many of the details. We should not expect that the disciples just left the fish there. They doubtless divided up the catch between them, necessitating a counting. Although not mentioned as such, this could well have been their biggest catch ever, and that fact prompted the recording of the number.
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.
How inappropriate it would have been for the disciples knowing it was Jesus to question this manifestation of His presence. The act would border on disrespectful unbelief.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
One would expect the disciples would have been more involved in distributing breakfast. Here Jesus again teaches them that He did not come to be served but to serve. At this time, did Jesus eat breakfast with His disciples? Probably, but we do not know. We do know, however, that Jesus did eat food after the resurrection.
They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them (Lk. 24:42-43).
Years later, Peter confirmed this fact:
God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead (Acts 10:40-41).
14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
Application
- We do not have to doubt the authenticity of John 21.
- Jesus had given instructions for the disciples to go to Galilee where they would see Him. They followed His instructions as best as they could, not knowing the time or place where He would appear. There are many instructions we have been given in Scripture, not all of which are clearly defined. We are to use our God-given intelligence and follow them as best we can, anticipating that God will clarify and guide as we obey.
- The disciples counted their large catch of fish; it would be good if we counted our blessings, answers to prayer, and providential encounters.
- As Jesus, even in His resurrected state, served the disciples breakfast, in the same way, we should always be willing to serve others as the need arises.
Prayer
Father, how thankful I am for this record of the manifestation of the Risen Christ. May I respond to the call of God as the disciples obeyed and followed the directions of Jesus that day. Help me remember the many blessings, providential experiences and answers to prayer that I have had over the years. May these be etched in my memory as the 153 fish were to John. †
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