John 21

The Risen Lord Restores, Commissions, Shepherds, and Testifies through His Witness

The risen Jesus reveals himself through abundant provision, feeds his disciples, restores Peter through a threefold love-question, commissions him to shepherd his flock, foretells Peter’s God-glorifying death, corrects comparison about the beloved disciple, and closes the Gospel with true testimony concerning the inexhaustible works of Jesus.

World English Bible, Public Domain

Peter and several disciples go fishing through the night but catch nothing.

John 21:1–14

Resurrection presence restores fruitfulness and fellowship.

1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.

2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.

Jesus stands on the shore at daybreak, directs the disciples to cast the net, and grants an abundant catch.

4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.

5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”

6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

The beloved disciple recognizes Jesus, and Peter throws himself into the water to come to him.

7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.

8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.

Jesus prepares a charcoal fire, fish, and bread, and feeds his disciples by the shore.

9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.

Jesus asks Peter about his love and commands him to feed Jesus’ lambs.

John 21:15–25

15 So when they had eaten their 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 have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Jesus asks Peter again and commands him to shepherd Jesus’ sheep.

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 have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

Jesus asks Peter a third time, grieving him but restoring him, and commands him to feed Jesus’ sheep.

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Jesus foretells Peter’s future death and calls him to follow.

18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus corrects Peter’s comparison with the beloved disciple and clarifies a misunderstanding about that disciple’s future.

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”

21 Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”

23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

The beloved disciple’s testimony is affirmed as true, and the Gospel closes by declaring the inexhaustible abundance of Jesus’ works.

24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.

25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

Key Terms

ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτόν ephanerōsen heauton G5319
τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος tēs thalassēs tēs Tiberiados G2281
Σίμων Πέτρος Simōn Petros G4613
Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος Thōmas ho legomenos Didymos G2381
Ναθαναὴλ Nathanaēl G3482
οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου hoi tou Zebedaiou G2199
Ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν Hypagō halieuein G5217
ἐπίασαν οὐδέν epiasan ouden G4084
πρωΐας prōias G4405
ἔστη estē G2476
Παιδία Paidia G3813
προσφάγιον prosphagion G4371

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details