John 21:1

ΜΕΤᾺ ΤΑΥ͂ΤΑ. This vague expression (see on John 3:22) suits an afterthought which has no direct connexion with what precedes. ἘΦΑΝΈΡΩΣΕΝ, MANIFESTED (see on John 2:11) is one of S. John’s expressions [1]: so also is the construction ἐφ. ἙΑΥΤΌΝ; John 7:4; John 11:33; John 11:55; John 13:4; 1 John 3:3... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:2

2. Probably all seven disciples belonged to the neighbourhood; we know this of four of them. For ΘΩΜΑ͂Σ see on John 11:16; John 14:5; John 20:24; all particulars about him are given by S. John [5]. S. John alone mentions Nathanael [6]; see on John 1:46. The descriptive addition, Ὁ�. Γ., occurs here... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:3

ἘΝΈΒΗΑΝ for ἈΝΈΒΗΣΑΝ. Omit εὐθύς after ΠΛΟΙ͂ΟΝ. 3. S. Peter, as so often, takes the lead: and again we have precise and vivid details, as from an eyewitness. In the interval of waiting for definite instructions the disciples support themselves by their old employment, probably at Capernaum or Bethsa... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:4

ἘΠῚ ΤῸΝ ΑἸΓ. Pregnant construction; ‘He came _to_ and stood _on_ the beach.’ Comp. John 1:32-33; John 3:36 (John 19:13; John 20:19); Matthew 3:2. ΜΈΝΤΟΙ, HOWBEIT or NEVERTHELESS, implies that their not knowing was surprising: μέντοι, besides here, occurs four times in S. John (John 4:27; John 7:13;... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:5

ΠΑΙΔΊΑ. Perhaps a mere term of friendly address, like our ‘young people’ (1 John 2:14; 1 John 2:18); less affectionate than τεκνία (John 13:33; 1 John 2:1; 1 John 2:12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:4;... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:6

ἼΣΧΥΟΝ (אBCDLA) for ἴσχυσαν (AP to suit ἜΒΑΛΟΝ). 6. There is no need to seek symbolical meanings for the right and left side. The difference is not between right and left, but between working with and without Divine guidance.... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:7

7. The characteristics of the two Apostles are again delicately yet clearly given (John 20:2-9): S. John is the first to apprehend; S. Peter the first to act, and with impulsive energy [12]. Perhaps S. Peter’s haste to reach his Lord and S. John’s abiding in the boat to finish the fishing is meant t... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:8

Τ. ΠΛΟΙΑΡΊΩΙ. _In the boat_, or _by means of the boat_. As in John 6:17-24, πλοῖον and πλοιάριον are both used; we are not sure whether with or without a difference of meaning. This mixture of the two words is not found in the Synoptists: excepting Mark 3:9, πλοιάριον is peculiar to S. John [13]. ἈΠ... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:9

ἈΝΘΡΑΚΙΆΝ. see on John 18:18 : the word occurs only there and here in N.T. [15]; moreover ΚΕΙ͂ΣΘΑΙ is more frequent in S. John’s writings than elsewhere. We are uncertain whether ὈΨΆΡΙΟΝ and ἌΡΤΟΝ are generic or not, _fish_ and _bread_, or A FISH and A LOAF: ὀψάριον occurs only in S. John (John 6:9;... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:10

10. There is again (see on John 21:3) a solemn simplicity in the narrative; John 21:10-14 open in each case without connecting particles: comp. 15. _passim_ and John 20:13-19 [17]. ἈΠῸ Τ. ὈΨ. We have ἘΚ ΤΩ͂Ν as a nominative John 1:24; John 7:40; John 16:17; Revelation 11:9; and as an accusative, 2 [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:11

ΕἸΣ ΤῊΝ ΓΗ͂Ν (אABCLPXΔ) for ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς (E). After ἈΝΈΒΗ we should probably insert οὖν with אBCLX against ADP. 11. ἈΝΈΒΗ. The meaning probably is ‘went on board’ the vessel, now in shallow water. The details in this verse are strong evidence of the writer having been an eyewitness: he had helped to... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:12

ἈΡΙΣΤΉΣΑΤΕ. Not the afternoon or evening δεῖπνον (John 12:2; John 13:2), but the morning ἄριστον, which could be rejected _before_ going to one’s day’s work (Matthew 22:4), is intended: see on Luke 11:37. Here the Apostles listen to the invitation with mingled perplexity, awe, and conviction. They k... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:13

13. They are afraid to approach, so He comes to them; and gives them the bread and the fish which were by the fire when they landed. It is futile to ask how it was provided; but from His invariable practice before His Resurrection we may suppose that He did not create it. It is a gift from the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:14

ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ ἬΔΗ ΤΡΊΤΟΝ. Comp. John 2:11; John 4:54. The remark in all three cases guards against a possible misunderstanding of the Synoptic narrative [20]. We have a similar construction 2 Peter 3:1. The two previous manifestations are probably those related John 20:19-23; John 20:26-29, that to the Mag... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:15-19

THE COMMISSION TO S. PETER AND PREDICTION AS TO HIS DEATH 15–19. There had been an appearance to S. Peter alone (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5), and it was then, we may believe, that he was absolved. His conduct here (John 21:7) is not that of one in doubt as to his relation to his Master. But he... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:15

15. Note that the writer speaks of ‘Simon Peter,’ but represents the Lord as calling him ‘Simon son of John.’ This is in harmony not only with the rest of this Gospel, but with the Gospels as a whole. Although Jesus gave Simon the name of Peter, yet, with one remarkable exception (see on Luke 22:34)... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:16

16. Jesus drops πλέον τούτων, which the humbled Apostle had shrunk from answering, but retains His own word ἀγαπᾷς. With ΠΆΛΙΝ ΔΕΎΤΕΡΟΝ comp. John 4:54 and πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου (Acts 10:15), πάλιν ἌΝΩΘΕΝ (Galatians 4:9), _rursus denuo_. Winer, p. 755. ΠΟΊΜ. Τ. ΠΡΟΒΆΤΙΆ Μ. TEND, or _shepherd, My sheep_.... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:16,17

16, 17. ΠΡΟΒΆΤΙΑ for πρόβατα: in John 21:16 the balance of evidence against πρόβατα is less strong than in John 21:17.... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:17

ΠΆΝΤΑ before ΣΎ, with אBC1D against Acts 3. 17. ΤΡΊΤΟΝ. He had denied thrice, and must thrice affirm his love. This time Jesus makes a further concession: He not only ceases to urge the ‘more than these,’ but He adopts S. Peter’s own word φιλεῖν. The Apostle had rejected Christ’s standard and taken... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:18

ἈΜῊΝ�. This peculiarity of S. John’s Gospel (see on John 1:51) is preserved in the appendix to it [21]. ΝΕΏΤΕΡΟΣ, YOUNGER than thou art now. The middle instead of ἘΖΏΝΝΥΕΣ ΣΕΑΥΤΌΝ would have been correct, as in Acts 12:8; but then the contrast between σεαυτόν and ἄλλος would have been lost: ἐζώννυσο... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:18,19

18, 19. This high charge will involve suffering and even death. In spite of his boastfulness and consequent fall the honour which he once too rashly claimed (John 13:37) will after all be granted to him.... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:19

ΠΟΊΩΙ ΘΑΝΆΤΩΙ. _By_ WHAT MANNER _of death_. This comment is quite in S. John’s style: comp. John 12:33; John 18:32 [22]. It will depend on the interpretation of John 21:18 whether we understand this to mean crucifixion or simply martyrdom. That S. Peter was crucified at Rome rests on sufficient evid... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:20

20. The details are those of an eyewitness. With ἐπιστραφείς comp. John 20:14; John 20:16. For ὋΝ ἨΓΆΠΑ Ὁ Ἰ. and ἈΝΈΠΕΣΕΝ see on John 13:23; John 13:25.... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:21

After ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟΝ insert ΟΥ̓͂Ν, with אBCD against A. 21. ΟΥ̓͂ΤΟΣ ΔῈ ΤΊ; Literally, but _this man, what_? Not so much, ‘what shall he _do_?’ as ‘what about him?’ What is the lot in store for Thy and my friend? The question arises from sympathy and the natural wish that he and his habitual companion shoul... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:22

ἘᾺΝ ΑΥ̓. Θ. ΜΈΝ. Christ died and rose again that He might become the Lord and Master both of the dead and the living (Romans 13:9). He speaks here in full consciousness of this sovereignty. For the use of θέλω by Christ comp. John 17:24; Matthew 8:3 (and parallels), Matthew 26:39. While θέλω asserts... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:23

ΟΥ̓͂ΤΟΣ before Ὁ ΛΌΓΟΣ with אBCD against A. 23. ἘΞΗ͂ΛΘΕΝ. THERE WENT FORTH THEREFORE THIS WORD UNTO THE BRETHREN, THAT DISCIPLE DIETH NOT. Comp. Luke 7:17. Οἱ� for believers generally, common in the Acts (Acts 9:30; Acts 11:1; Acts 11:29; Acts 15:1; Acts 15:3; Acts 15:22-23, &c.), is not found elsew... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:24

ΤΟΎΤΩΝ … ΤΑΥ͂ΤΑ. It is more natural to understand ‘these things’ as referring to the whole Gospel and not to the appendix only. The Johannean phraseology is here of little weight as regards authorship: the Ephesian elders would naturally follow John 19:35. The change from present (μαρτυρῶν) to aoris... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:24,25

24, 25. CONCLUDING NOTES Again the question of authorship confronts us. Are these last two verses by the writer of the rest of the chapter? Are they both by the same hand? The _external_ evidence, as in the case of the preceding verses, is in favour of their being both by the same hand, and by the... [ Continue Reading ]

John 21:25

Ἄ (אBC1X) for ὄσα (Acts 2D). At the end omit Ἀμήν, with אABD against E. See _Hermathena_ No. 19, 1893. THE EPILOGUE OR APPENDIX This Epilogue to a certain extent balances the Prologue, the main body of the Gospel in two great divisions lying in between them; but with this difference, that the Prol... [ Continue Reading ]

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Old Testament