Tyndale Open Study NotesJohn 21

This final chapter includes a story about the resurrected Jesus in Galilee. It describes the conversation between Peter and Jesus about Peter’s love for him (21:1–14; 21:15–23). The chapter concludes by summarizing the authority and importance of John’s eyewitness account (21:24–25).

• Several of the disciples returned to fishing in the Sea of Galilee. This was not a sign that their faith had weakened. Even rabbis who regularly preached kept practicing their occupations (see Acts 18:3; 20:34; 1 Corinthians 4:12).

• The sons of Zebedee were James and John (see Matthew 4:21).

Fishing was usually successful in the early hours of the morning. However, this trip was useless and they caught nothing all night.

Jesus was standing on the shore, but the men did not recognize him (compare 20:11–16; Luke 24:13–53).

Cast the net on the right side: To throw a net into the sea at random would not be helpful. But when they followed the stranger's advice, they caught many fish immediately (21:11).

• “It is the Lord!”: John recognized Jesus, likely remembering a similar miracle had happened before (Luke 5:1–11).

• Peter, who had taken off his clothes while working, put on his tunic (his outer clothing) to meet the Lord.

Cooked fish and bread were the main foods in the diet of those living in Galilee. Jesus offered the men breakfast. The charcoal fire reminds us of when Peter denied Jesus (18:18).

This miracle showed generous provision (similar to 2:1–12; 6:1–15). The number 153 does not have a symbolic meaning.

None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?”: Jesus looked different after God raised him from the dead. After his resurrection, Jesus was truly the same person. Yet his body was transformed and not limited in the same way. When he gave them bread and fish, their doubts disappeared (compare 6:11; Luke 24:30).

This scene on the beach was the third time Jesus had appeared (see 20:11–23, 26–29).

• Do you love me?: These three questions and affirmations recall Peter’s three denials (18:15–18, 25–27). Jesus invited Peter to reaffirm everything he had denied.

• The Greek word for love in the first two questions (agapaō) differs from the word in his third question (phileō). In each case, Peter responded with the second word (phileō). Most Greek scholars view the two words as synonyms in this situation.

  The conversation Jesus had with Peter focused not on the quality of Peter’s love, but rather on Peter’s task to care for the followers of Jesus. First Peter 5:2–4 might be a meditation on these events.

more than these? (Or more than these others do?): Jesus reminded Peter of his claim to be more faithful and brave than the others (13:37; Matthew 26:33; Mark 14:29). He was urging Peter to examine himself.

Feed my sheep: Jesus, who knows everything, understood that despite Peter’s terrible failure, he still had faith and commitment to Jesus (1:42; 2:25; 16:30). These words called Peter to care for and protect Christ’s followers.

• You will stretch out your hands: Jesus was probably predicting Peter would likewise die on a cross. According to tradition, this is how Peter died.

• someone else will dress you (literally bind you): Jesus refers to capture, slavery, and crucifixion. They often tied victims to the cross.

• The rest of Peter’s life was a ministry tending the flock of God, and his martyrdom was a kind of death that glorifies God.

• Follow me: This might require suffering and death (see 13:16; 15:18–21).

“Lord, what about him?”: Peter wanted to know if John would also face death for his faith. Jesus said it was not Peter’s concern to know how or when John would die. Peter’s job was to follow Jesus, just as John already was.

This event shows John’s idea of being a disciple: What matters most for the disciple of Jesus is to follow him and do his will, no matter what happens.

What Jesus said to Peter spread, causing some to conclude that John would not die until Jesus returned in his second coming. What Jesus said when he rebuked Peter (21:22) is repeated to answer that rumor. Those among the community of believers who believed this rumor were thus instructed to abandon any guessing about what would happen to John. According to tradition, John died peacefully in Ephesus at an old age, surrounded by fellow believers.

• This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down: John’s Gospel is based on his personal experiences. It is not a story written from rumors or guesses, but from the memories of a man who spent important years with Jesus. He remembered, with the help of the Holy Spirit, what Jesus said and did (14:26).

• we know: This account of the life of Christ was not a guess or from weak memories. Instead, John based it on the confident knowledge of reliable eyewitness accounts.

not even the world itself would have space for the books: John ends his Gospel acknowledging that the story he has described is larger than anything he can imagine or fully communicate. Even though it is wonderful for us to experience, it does not show the full glory of the person he describes. John wants us to know that there is always more to Christ than we can understand.