John 21 - Commissioning of the Disciples
Joh 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the sea of Tiberias (also know as the sea of Galilee). (Matthew 26:32, 28:7, 28:16, Mark 16:7). Jesus not only presented Himself, but revealed His power and glory. (John 2:11). The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus appeared many more times. (Acts 1:3). During the 40 days after His crucifixion, Christ appeared to the apostles from time to time to prove to them He was alive. His message... He talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
Joh 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Seven of the remaining eleven disciples were there.
Joh 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. Simon Peter said to the others that he was going fishing. The other disciples joined him on the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Joh 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Now it was dawn and Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples didn't know it was Jesus.
Joh 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. Jesus calls out to them, "have you caught any fish?" No they replied.
Joh 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Then Jesus calls out to them, "cast your net to the right side of the boat, and you will catch some fish." Usually when you cast a net from a boat, you face the back (stern), of the boat, throwing the net with your strong arm. Peter and his friends were left handed fishermen because they were casting to the left (port), side of the boat. When they listened to Jesus and cast their nets to the right (starboard), side of the boat, they caught so many fish that they could not draw in the nets.
Joh 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. John says to Peter, "It's the Lord." When Peter hears this, he puts on his coat (must of been sun bathing), jumps into the water and headed towards shore.
Joh 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. The other disciples stayed in the boat and pulled the load net of fish to the shore. (They were only about a hundred yards from the shore).
Joh 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. When the disciples got to shore, Jesus already had breakfast ready for them. A little fish and a little bread. (Enough to sustain them if necessary).
Joh 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Bring some of the fish you caught Jesus says to the disciples. Now they will have a feast.
Joh 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Peter went aboard and dragged the net to shore. There were 153 large fish and the net had never torn. (The net holding more than usual). Was there a significance to the number 153? The Bible tells us explicitly that there were 153 fish in the net. Many scholars believe that may have had a very special significance for the apostles. Firstly, in that time, there were only 153 known species of fish. Jesus had already called the disciples 'fishers of men' (Mark 1:17), but they focused initially exclusively on Israel. The number 153 represented every possible known people group in the world at that time. i.e., the whole world.
Joh 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus calls them over for some breakfast. (No need to ask who He was). Now they knew that He was the Lord.
Joh 21:13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. Jesus serves them the bread and fish.
Joh 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. This was the "third time" Jesus appeared before the disciples. The first two times were in (John 20:19, 20:26).
Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. After they had breakfast, Jesus asked Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" (Referring to the other disciples). Yes Lord Peter replied, "You know I love you." "Then feed My lambs," Jesus told him. (Referring to new believers). "Teach the new students truth in the Word."
Joh 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Jesus repeats the question to Peter. Peter repeats the same answer. Now Jesus changes it up a little and tells Peter to "take care of My sheep." (Referring to more mature believers). i.e. take care of the flock (congregation), which is the job of the shepherd. (Acts 20:28). Make sure you feed the people the truth of the Word as the Holy Spirit will hold you responsible. (Those who teach traditions of men and false doctrine will answer to God). Judgment begins at the pulpit. Keep in mind that our Lord Jesus is the great Shepherd. (Hebrews 13:20).
Joh 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Now Jesus asked Peter the question the third time. "Simon son of John, do you love Me?" This might be translated: "Are you sure you love Me Peter." He said, "Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You." Jesus said again, "Then feed My sheep." Why was Peter grieved? Well, it is not hard to make the connection between Jesus asking Peter three times about his love for Him, and the three times Peter denied Jesus when He was on trial. (Luke 22:56-62). This bothered Peter when he denied Christ, now I think it may have bothered Peter when Jesus asked him three time about his love for Him. Notice that Jesus didn't give up on Peter (like three strikes and your out), but I think Jesus was trying to restore His faith. Just as we are to help others restore their faith when they become lost and confused. (Galatians 6:1). If another Christian brother or sister is overcome by some sin, you as Christians should help them back onto the right path when possible. The next time it could be you who is in the wrong and you may need help getting back on the right path. For the deeper student and teachers of the Word: Jesus fed the disciples breakfast which would be like you as a teacher feeding the congregation. The Word being the food that Christ brings to you. Then the disciples added to the breakfast meal the fish that they caught. This is like when you prepare a sermon, you bring your added input to the Word that Jesus had given you. Then you feed the congregation the whole package to the best of your ability, so that all will understand the subject you are teaching. As teachers, always do your homework and follow the teachings of Christ. "Teach the lambs (the new Christian), teach the sheep (the learned Christian), and teach the teachers (the mature Christians), how to teach both the lambs and the sheep."
Joh 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Here comes another truth, "When you were young, you were able to do as you liked; dress as yourself, and went where you wanted to go. But, when your old, others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go." (Referring to Peter being a middle aged man, and that the time is coming, when Peter would lay down his life for Jesus). But, others would arise and take the place of Peter to carry on the Word of God.
Joh 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Jesus told Peter this to let him know what kind of death he would glorify God. (Jesus had just restored Peter by letting him openly confess his love for Jesus). Kind of like to offset the denials he had done earlier. First Peter denies Christ, but in the future Peter will lay down his life for Christ. Jesus tells Peter to "Follow Me." (Matthew 10:38). Christ taught this Word and we are to do the same. In times of Christ they picked up a cross because they were going to be nailed to it. Christ wants this type of commitment from us. He wants us to be so dedicated to Him that we will not change from His doctrine.
Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter turned around and saw John (the disciple Jesus loved), who during the last supper asked Jesus, "Lord, who will betray You." (John 13:23-26).
Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Peter asked Jesus, "What about John?" (Peter wanted to know if John would die along with him).
Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Jesus replies, "If I want John to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me." Was Peter thinking that this was a little unfair? (That he would die and John would not).
Joh 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? The rumor started among the believers that the disciple John would not die. However, that is not what Jesus said at all. He only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" Sometimes as Christians and teachers of the Word we think that we have been treated a little unfair. Many of us look up to our Pastor (believe everything they say), and want to be like him or her. We all have our purpose in the ministry (many member body of Christ), and there comes a time when we need to take our eye's off our Pastor and follow Jesus. We need to work on improving ourselves so we can be the best servant to God that we can be as an individual, not like someone else. "Keep your eyes on Jesus." (Hebrews 12:1-2). We are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith. Strip away the sin that may slow us down so that we can run the race set before us by God with endurance. "We are to endure till the end." (Hebrews 6:15, Matthew 10:22, 24:13). Endure till the end by keeping your eyes on Jesus, the one who endured the cross, is now sitting at the right hand of God.
Joh 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. This is the disciple (John), who testifies to these events and has recorded them in this book. We also know that his account of these things are accurate.
Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. There are so many things that Jesus had done that were not recorded. If they were all written down, the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. Thus completes the book of John (the disciple whom Jesus loved).
Keep the faith,
Barton
