John 21:1-25

In a quiet, yet informative ending to John’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus, the reader is able to experience some conclusive thoughts regarding life following Jesus’ resurrection. The scene centers on the Sea of Tiberias in Galilee where the disciples (21:1-2) and many others were awaiting Jesus’ return. He had given them instructions to wait for Him there (see Matthew 28:16-17). While awaiting Jesus’ appearance, Peter and the other disciples decided to go fishing, but they did not catch anything that night (21:3); however, the next morning, “Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (21:4). Following His resurrection, there were several instances where Jesus appeared, but people did not know it was Him (Luke 24:16; John 20:14-15). Jesus then speaks from the shore to His disciples saying, “‘Children, have you any food?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish” (21:5-6). John, the writer of this gospel immediately recognized that the man who had spoken to them was Jesus (21:7), so the disciples rushed to the shore where Jesus had supernaturally prepared breakfast for them (21:8-9). Jesus commands them to bring the fish that they had caught to Him, so Peter drags the net full of 153 fish to the shore (21:10-11). Jesus’ supernatural provision of the fish is an evident reminder to His disciples that He will provide for them, even after He is gone.

After the disciples finished eating breakfast with the Lord (21:12-14), He directly spoke to Peter, who had earlier denied that he knew Jesus (John 18:12-27), and asked him “Do you love [supremely] me more than these?” (21:15a) Jesus’ question was in reference to the fish which surrounded Peter. Since Peter’s profession was a fisherman, Jesus was asking whether he was willing to abandon his life as a fisherman in order to be fully committed to Him. Peter responded, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love [have affection for] You” (21:15b), which indicates that although Peter loved Jesus, he did not love Jesus supremely. Jesus and Peter were using two different words for love. Because he had denied Jesus, Peter was unwilling to fully commit himself to Jesus for fear of another failure. In response to Peter’s commitment to only affectionate love, Jesus says “Feed My lambs” (21:15c). Jesus is requesting Peter to be responsible for shepherding the people who follow Him and be wholly devoted to His service. Jesus asks a second time, “Do you love [supremely] Me?” and Peter responds saying, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love [have affection for] You” (21:16). Again, Jesus commands Peter to “Tend My sheep.” When Jesus asks the question a third time, He uses the same word Peter had been using for love. John writes concerning Jesus’ third questioning of Peter, “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love [have affection for] Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love [have affection for] Me?’” Peter knew that Jesus was even questioning whether he had affectionate love for Him, which caused Peter to be sorrowful. Peter says to Jesus, “‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love [have affection for] You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep’” (21:17). In a striking revelation, Jesus reveals to Peter that he would be fully devoted to Him and eventually give up his life for the sake of Christ (21:18-19). History records that Peter would be martyred almost 30 years later by being crucified upside down by the wicked emperor, Nero (AD 67-68). Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s future martyrdom is proof that God can still greatly use those who have failed Him in the past. Peter then expresses concern for his close friend, John, and asks Jesus about his future (21:20-21), but instead of revealing John’s future, Jesus commands Peter to only focus on following Him (21:22-23).

In the conclusion to his gospel, John writes, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen” (21:25). Jesus had done many more works than even John could record in his account; however, John felt that he, as an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry, had provided sufficient truth so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (21:24; 20:31).

Dear God, thank You for John’s personal account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Help those who have read his words to believe that Jesus is the Savior and Son of God.