CHAPTER XXI. This chapter is regarded by all modern critics as an appendix to John's Gospel, probably written at. later day than the body of the work. The reason for this view is not that its subject matter or style is not in harmony with the preceding Chapter s, but the closing verses of the preced... [ Continue Reading ]
IN GALILEE (JOHN 21:1-19) 1. After these things Jesus showed himself again to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias. For some reason the Savior had desired to gather the whole band of his followers on the shores of Galilee, before his departure, and had directed (Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:7) them to rep... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE TOGETHER. Seven disciples are named, most of whom, and probably all, belonged to that very neighborhood. All that are named were apostles, unless Nathanael be an exception, who is only named in the first, second and last Chapter s of the Gospel. Most scholars regard him an apostle who ap... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON PETER SAITH,. GO. FISHING. Peter here is true to the character portrayed in all the Gospels as well as Acts. He is the leader. It is upon his proposition and example that the disciples resort to the calling once more from which they were taken to become "fishers of men." "They went forth" fro... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE MORNING WAS NOW COME. The true reading, "When the day was breaking," gives. more vivid picture. As the dawn appeared they observed some one upon the shore whom they did not yet recognize, either because of the indistinct light, or because of his changed appearance. It will be noted that in... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN, HAVE YE ANY MEAT? The word translated "children" means, literally, "boys," and we take it that the Savior asked in the familiar, colloquial language of the locality, "Boys, have you caught any fish?" There was nothing in his question that made the disciples suspect who he was. It would be... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP. This direction was promptly followed and resulted in the net being so crowded with fishes that they could not draw it into the boat. The command, itself, though promptly obeyed, did not suggest to the disciples that it was Jesus. They might suppose that h... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED, SAITH, IT IS THE LORD. John, with his quickness of perception, as soon as it was seen that the net was filled with an astonishing draught of fishes, remembering. former miracle of the same kind, exclaimed, It is the Lord! Peter, impulsive as usual, when he heard it,... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SAW. FIRE OF COALS THERE, AND FISH LAID THEREON. The preparations were already begun for. simple meal. The commentators have discussed, idly, the origin of this fire. As we are not told we have simply to leave it to conjecture. It might have been miraculous, which we prefer to believe, or it m... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON PETER... DREW THE NET TO LAND. Peter, at once, at the Master's command, springs back to duty and draws the net on the shore. The number of fish was carefully counted, one hundred and fifty-three large ones, and yet the net with such. strain, remained unbroken.... [ Continue Reading ]
DURST NOT ASK, WHO ART THOU? The disciples knew that it was the Lord, but there was something in his mien, his majesty, his altered appearance, that amazed them, filled them with awe, and prevented them from asking questions that they were curious to know. How many questions occur to us concerning... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD TIME THAT JESUS SHEWED HIMSELF TO HIS DISCIPLES. John does not say that this was the _third appearance_ of Jesus, but the third time he had showed himself to the _disciples,_ or apostles, for that is the sense in which disciples is here, and often used. The first time was his appearance to... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE? At the close of the feast the Lord turned to Peter with this question, one that he repeated twice, and which has caused much perplexity.. think that it is easily explained in view of what had passed only. short time before. On the night of the bet... [ Continue Reading ]
FEED MY SHEEP. A second time the Lord probes Peter with the question. Let it be noted that he does not call him _Peter,_ "the rock," any longer. So frail. disciple could only be called Simon. Again he uses the strong term for love (_agapao_). Again Peter answers as modestly as before. He not only c... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, THOU KNOWEST ALL THINGS; THOU KNOWEST THAT. LOVE THEE. The third time the Lord asks the question. Only once had he compared Peter's love with "these." The third time the Lord himself drops the strong term for love and uses the weaker one, "have affection." Peter, pierced to the heart by these... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU WAST YOUNG, THOU GIRDEDST THYSELF. Peter had denied his Master to save his own life. Now that he is reinstated in the old confidence and charged with the Master's work, he is told that he will be called on to die for it. He will be girded, not with. girdle, but with bonds, and he shall be... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WHAT DEATH HE SHOULD GLORIFY GOD. These two verses can only be understood as declaring that Peter should die the death of. martyr. John wrote after Peter's death, and may be understood as affirming that he did thus "glorify God." The universal testimony of the ancient Church is that he did thus... [ Continue Reading ]
TARRY TILL. COME (JOHN 21:20 - 20, 21. Peter, turning about, saw the disciple, etc. Three years before on the banks of the same sea, Jesus had called Peter and Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee to become fishers of men by the very same words that he had now just addressed to Peter. The latter, not u... [ Continue Reading ]
IF. WILL THAT HE TARRY TILL. COME. Observe 1. that each one must work in the place where the Lord wills; "_ If. will._ " 2. that as Peter's duty was restless activity in following Christ, it is indicated that John's work in part at least, is calm, trustful and patient waiting; _tarry till. come._... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS SAYING WENT ABROAD AMONG THE BRETHREN. John corrects the mistake that had gone abroad. Christ had not said that he should not die, but simply, "If. will that he tarry till. come, what is that to thee." His language shows that he was uncertain what the Savior might mean. The scenes of Patmos fi... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE DISCIPLE WHICH TESTIFIETH THESE THINGS. The one named just before, concerning whom Peter asked the question. Most of the critics hold that this verse and probably the next were added by another hand. The plural, "we know," seems to be. kind of attestation and the hypothesis is offered t... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO MANY OTHER THINGS WHICH JESUS DID. "Many other things" are recorded by the three preceding gospels which John does not record. The ministry of Christ was so busy, his teaching so voluminous and his deeds of mercy so numerous, that the verse states that it would be impossible to make. minute re... [ Continue Reading ]