Breakfast by the sea (21:1–14)

It is the time between the resurrection of Jesus and his ascension. The apostles have returned north, where Simon Peter decides to go fishing on the Sea of Tiberias, which is Galilee. Some of the others decide to go with him.

There are seven in the boat, including Thomas (introduced again as Didymus, the twin), and Nathanael whom we learn is from Cana where Jesus turned water to wine. The sons of Zebedee are also present, although John doesn’t mention their names or that he is one of them.

Suddenly, it is like the bad old days. They fish all night and catch nothing. Luke tells of the same thing happening on the day that Jesus first called Simon to be his disciple (Luke 5:4–5).

In the hazy light of dawn, a figure calls to them from the shore. He tells them to throw out their net on the other side of the boat. They haven’t yet recognized Jesus, but his instruction brings memories flooding back for Peter — especially when they make an amazing catch of fish.

The beloved disciple is the first to realize it is Jesus on the shore; but Simon Peter is the one who throws on his coat and jumps overboard. John remembers how the others follow, dragging the great catch about 100 yards to the beach, and counting the fish. There are 153 of them.

If the number of fish has a special meaning, it may stand for the mission of the church. The Jews of these days believe there are 153 nations in the world; and Jesus has promised his disciples that they will ‘catch men and women’ (Luke 5:10).

After their long night’s work, Jesus invites his friends to breakfast. He has prepared food for them, with fresh bread awaiting and fish already cooking on a charcoal fire. He is a Lord who provides. Again, the fire may trigger Simon Peter’s memory. It was beside such a fire, in the high priest’s courtyard, that he denied three times that he ever knew Jesus (John 18:18).

John mentions that none of the disciples asks Jesus if it is really him. There is clearly something ‘the same but different’ about his resurrection body.

Jesus and Peter (21:15–17)

After breakfast, Jesus and Peter talk heart-to-heart. Jesus doesn’t call him by his nickname Peter (‘Rock’), but by his old name, Simon son of John. Since Peter has so vigorously denied Jesus, they must now re-lay the foundations of their relationship.

Jesus asks, ‘Simon, do you truly love me?’ He is asking for the kind of committed love that Peter has sworn to him in the past. But Peter is more realistic now. He knows he has failed. He replies, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’

Peter doesn’t promise Jesus committed love any more, but only affection. When Jesus asks the question a third time he echoes Peter’s three denials. It hurts Peter to admit the poor level of his love; but at least he is now honest with himself.

Jesus has already answered Thomas’ doubt. Now he rebuilds Peter’s confidence. He encourages Simon Peter by accepting his revised commitment and giving him responsibility. He commissions him to feed his lambs and take care of his sheep. Peter is to look after people, the flock of God, as an assistant to the good shepherd. Shepherding is Jesus’ own picture of the leadership and care of the church (John 10:11).

Peter and John (21:18–24)

Jesus foretells Peter’s death. One day he will ‘stretch out’ his hands and be led where he doesn’t want to go. This is a way of describing crucifixion. In some thirty years’ time, Peter will be crucified, probably in Rome in the time of the emperor Nero. Jesus doesn’t disguise this from Peter, but encourages him to know that this road of suffering will give glory to God. He repeats his first call to Peter, which is for ever new: ‘Follow me!’

Seeing John following them, Peter asks what is to become of him. Jesus says that John may or may not stay alive until his return. Either way, it is no concern of Peter. Peter is to follow Jesus, regardless of the pressure, rumors or opinions of others. We know that John lived to a great age in Ephesus, and can guess that people linked his long life with the hope of Jesus’ return.

As John comes to the end of his Gospel, he says that the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’ is the one who followed Jesus and Peter as they walked along the beach that morning. It is he who has been an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection, and he or his followers have now written this book. He asserts that what he says is true.

The great and untold story (21:25)

There is so much more that could be said about Jesus, but if it was all written down, the world would be too small to contain it. Jesus is, after all, the Word and wisdom of God, his agent of creation and only Son. How can one small planet ever contain the whole story of his endless glory and eternity?

--Knowles, A. The Bible guide.