After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he _himself_. Ver. 1. _After these things Jesus showed himself_] Some have been of the opinion that this chapter was not written by John (because he concluded his history in the end of the... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 2. _There were met together Simon, &c._] When good and godly men meet, when chaste and honest people assemble together, it is not to be calle... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 3. _I go a fishing, &c._] Being not yet employed in the public ministry, he would not be idle, and that he might not b... [ Continue Reading ]
But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Ver. 4. _But when the morning_] Mourning lasteth but till morning,Psalms 30:5. _Flebile principium melior fortuna sequetur, _ Poor beginnings come before better fortune, said Queen Elizabeth,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. Ver. 5. _Children, have ye any meat?_] This he saith as seeming to be some housekeeper, who passing by fishermen, calls to them, as willing to buy their fish for the use of his family. Galeacius Caracciolus, that noble m... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _Cast the net on the right side, &c._] This counsel he gives as a stranger, who haply might see a confluence of fish... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 7. _Therefore that disciple, &c._] Now they see the cause why, till then, t... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 8. _And the other disciples came, &c._] They came all to Christ, but Peter sooner; he cast away all care of his fish, having the Lord to go to. It... [ Continue Reading ]
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Ver. 9. _And fish laid thereon and bread_] A feast of Christ's own providing; to assure them that they should never lack necessaries; superfluities they may want without prejudice. Nature is co... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Ver. 10. _Which ye have now caught_] He saith not, Which I have caused you to catch. God is pleased to say, for our encouragement, that we do such and such good works, when it is he that doth all our works, in us and for us. _Certum... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 11. _Yet was not the net broke_] When God will bless a man, all second causes shall cooperate and contribute their help. As when he wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus saith unto them, Come _and_ dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Ver. 12. _None of the disciples durst ask him_] They were ashamed to move further question in that which was to them all so evident. Neither yet may we imagine that they sat... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. Ver. 13. _Taketh bread and giveth them_] As his manner was before his death, and with his usual form of grace before eating, by the which those two that had his company to Emmaus knew him, Luke 24:35. Those that receive not th... [ Continue Reading ]
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. Ver. 14. _This is now the third time, &c._] Adam died, and we hear no more of him; not so the second Adam. "If a man die, shall he live again?" Job 14:14. Not till the general resurrection... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 15. _Lovest thou me more than these?_] As thou hast not spared to profess and promise (for w... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 16. _Feed my sheep_] That is, _Supremum is Ecclesia Dominium tibi assere._ Lord it over the Church, saith Baronius. _Regi... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 17. _Jesus saith unto him... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 18. _Another shall gird thee_] That is, cor... [ Continue Reading ]
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Ver. 19. _By what death he should glorify God_] Martyrdom is the lowest subjection that can be to God, but the highest honour. _Vere magnus est Deus Christianorum; _ The God of... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 20. _Then Peter turning about_] Peter, though restored and resettled in his apostleship, is not without his infirmities. They th... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what _shall_ this man _do_ ? Ver. 21. _And what shall this man do_] When Peter considered that John was dearly beloved and yet not alike forewarned of suffering death, as himself was, he began to doubt whether Christ spake this of love to him or not. Nothi... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what _is that_ to thee? follow thou me. Ver. 22. _If I will that he tarry_] _Si eum volo manere._ This the Vulgate corruptly reads, _Sic eum volo manere._ Ambrose, Austin, Bede, Lyra, Rupert, &c., retain this reading. Trapezuntius defends i... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 23. _Among the brethren_] So are all Christians. _Sanctior est copula cordis quam corporis._ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. Ver. 24. _This is the disciple_] Not the doctor, the master, as _Magistri nostri Parisienses._ So the Sorbonists will needs be styled. The schoolmen have their _Doctor Angelicus, D... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 25. _I suppose that even the world itself, &c._] _Nec Christus, nec caelum patitur hyperbolen, _... [ Continue Reading ]