One Year Journey Through the New Testament
John 21
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Christ Appears to the Seven Disciples
1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.”
6 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.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
(John 21:1–14, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- After Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples in the upper room (supposedly), Jesus met seven of His disciples at the Sea of Galilee.
- Peter decided to go fishing, which was His original trade. The others went with Him.
- In a plot line reminiscent of Peter’s calling narrative, they fished all night and caught nothing. When they came to the shore to quit for the night, Jesus (from the shore) asked if they had any food. When they said that they did not, He instructed them where to drop the net. When they did, they caught so many fish that they thought the net would break.
- They recognized Jesus at that point, and came to shore. Jesus had fish and bread for them to eat. This was His third appearance since His resurrection.
Christ Speaks to Peter
15 So when they had eaten 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 love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He 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 love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you 7love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I 7love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
(John 21:15–23, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- They ate breakfast and then Jesus began to converse with Peter.
- He asked Peter three times if He loved Him. The first two times it was in the form of agape, the third time Jesus asked about phileo.
- Each time Peter answered that He loved Jesus, but all three times with the form phileo.
- Each time Peter responded, Jesus told Him to care for the flock (feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep).
- There was a bit of discussion concerning John the beloved and the time of Jesus’ return, and then John moves to his conclusion of his gospel.
The Conclusion of John’s Gospel
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 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.
(John 21:24–25, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- John identifies himself, and then admits that there are far more things that Jesus did, enough to fill more books than the world could hold. John was in awe of Jesus. We should live in awe of Jesus, and declare His greatness to the world. He is the Light of the world, the Hope for tomorrow, and the soon-coming King.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 