John 21

Passage overview

John 21 describes the third time Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after His resurrection. It takes place by the Sea of Tiberias/Galilee and portrays a renewed encounter between the risen Jesus and His disciples, along with the reaffirming of their mission.

This chapter also shows how the disciples’ mission continues after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

1verseAfter these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.

2verseSimon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

3verseSimon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.

4verseBut when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.

5verseJesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”

6verseHe said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

7verseThat disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.

8verseBut the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.

9verseSo when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.

10verseJesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

11verseSimon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

12verseJesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.

13verseThen Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

14verseThis is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.

15verseSo when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16verseHe said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17verseHe said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

18verseMost certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

19verseNow he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

20verseThen Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”

21versePeter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

22verseJesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”

23verseThis saying therefore went out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

24verseThis is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.

25verseThere are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

Jesus and the Disciples’ Encounter (Verses 1-14)

Even though the disciples had experienced Jesus’ resurrection, they return to their work as fishermen in Galilee. Jesus appears to them at night when they catch nothing, and when they cast the net as he said, they catch a large number of fish.

  • This miracle calls to mind the situation of the first call in the past (Luke 5), and it shows the limits of ministry without Jesus.
  • Jesus personally prepares breakfast and shares a meal at the table with the disciples, adding deeper meaning to “togetherness” and “restoration.”

Peter’s Restoration (Verses 15-19)

To Peter, who denied Jesus three times, Jesus asks him, three times, “Do you love me?” With each answer, the mission is given: “Feed my sheep.” “Take care of my sheep.”

  • This shows Jesus calling him back to his mission again in love and trust, despite failure and discouragement.
  • Through Peter’s confession of love, Jesus also hints at new responsibility and the hardships Peter will face in the future.

Lessons for the Path of a Disciple (Verses 20-23)

Regarding the future of John and the rumors about him, Jesus says that each person’s path given to them is different. The importance of following the mission assigned to oneself rather than someone else’s path is emphasized.

Conclusion and the Purpose of the Book (Verses 24-25)

The Gospel of John makes clear by whose testimony it was recorded, and although Jesus’ deeds are more than what is written, it concludes that what is recorded here is intended so that people will believe Jesus is the Christ.

Points for Reflection

  • What grace can be seen in the way Jesus comes to failed disciples and restores them?
  • Through Jesus’ way of entrusting Peter with a mission again through the question of love, what may readers today learn about restoration and responsibility?

Try Applying It to Yourself

  • Consider how you can come to perceive Jesus’ calling and mission anew in your own place in life.
  • In moments of failure and discouragement, how are you experiencing the grace of Jesus who comes to find you?

This is the last chapter of John.