JOHN 21

JESUS VISITS HIS DISCIPLES AT THE SEA OF GALILEE

Jesus appears again to the disciples, this time while they are fishing. Peter, Thomas, and Nathanael go out on their boat, but catch nothing. The disciples do not recognize Him at first, as He calls out to them asking if they had caught any fish. Jesus instructs them to cast their net onto the other side of their boat, similar to his first interaction with Peter in Luke 5. After following His direction, they are overwhelmed with the amount of fish in their nets.

Upon realizing that the man is Jesus, Peter jumps into the sea, making his way towards Him! The other disciples bring the boat to the shore to see Jesus, marveling at their catch. On the beach, Jesus has prepared a fire, bread, and fish to share with the disciples.

John specifically mentions that the disciples caught 153 fish, an oddly specific number. Some scholars believe that 153 species of fish existed in the Sea of Galilee, showing that the disciples caught every type of fish and alluding to the idea that God’s kingdom will include people from all nations (Isaiah 52:10, Jeremiah 3:17, Revelation 7:9).

Jesus speaks with Peter, who previously denied his relationship with Jesus. Three times, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him and three times, Peter responds yes. Jesus allows Peter to confess his love for Christ as many times as he had previously denied Him, showing the merciful and redemptive nature of Christ. He encourages Peter to feed His sheep, an image for sharing the gospel, and follow Him. Jesus speaks of Peter's eventual death, saying he will be stretched out by his hands, alluding to a crucifixion. Peter asks Jesus how John would die, but He does not answer directly.

John concludes the gospel account by affirming the other gospel writers, saying that there are many other acts of Jesus not included in this account. John believes that the world itself could not contain the books that could be filled about the miraculous acts of Christ.