John 21
purchase ivermectin Bonnie’s Notes on Dave’s Comments — John 21
At the close of chapter 20, we are given the purpose of John’s book — to show us things that prove Jesus is the Son of God and more importantly that belief in Him/them will gain eternal life for whosoever will believe. This chapter gives additional proof that Jesus was alive after His resurrection. He showed Himself at the Sea of Galilee. Tiberius is a city on the southwest corner of the sea. He made 10 specific appearances to His disciples. He is no longer dwelling with them as He did before, but comes in and out.
v. 1-6 — There were seven disciples gathered. The number 7 is considered the number of completion because it concluded the 6 days of creation when all was finished. This also gave us the seven day week which was instituted by God. Other intervals like a day, a month, or a year have celestial correlations but the 7 day week came solely from God. The Great Commission had been given to the disciples already (John 20:21) and soon it would be time to fulfill Matt. 4:19 (“I will make you fishers of men”).
Peter tells his friends that he is going off fishing. Perhaps he is still reeling from his personal denial of the Lord and is feeling useless. Fishing at night is not usually for fun. It’s for livelihood. Peter is quitting. The sad consequence of that is that he is taking others with him because he is a leader. We see this in our own time when a preacher or other leader loses it. Those who follow him/her more than they follow Christ will fall and give up as well.
In this situation with Peter, the Lord intervenes quickly. Peter has supported his family by fishing, but this night the Lord doesn’t allow him success because a lesson is coming. [Sometimes the Lord allows people to continue through tough times because He is leading them elsewhere so they won’t be tempted in the wrong ways. It can also happen because someone is praying for another individual to get right with the Lord or to get saved.] Jesus is on the shore some distance away. He can disguise Himself as He did on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24 and Mark 16). They probably see only the form of a man and don’t recognize the Lord. When He speaks to them and they have success after following His instructions, they recognize Him. It probably jogged their memory of the previous time that the Lord gave them a miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-10). “Without me ye can do nothing,” He had said (Jn. 15:5). Does it make a difference on what side of the boat they cast? Perhaps the lesson is to follow the Lord’s instructions.
Jesus is on the shore preparing a meal. Where did He get His fish? He probably created them. The disciples would know that He was not dependent on them, but they were certainly dependent on Him. The Lord allows us the privilege of working with Him, but He certainly doesn’t require the help. He lets us share his mission — to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
v. 7 — Peter wants to get to the Lord quickly now!
v. 9,10 — They see things prepared. He thought of everything, as usual, and tells them to bring their fish, also. The lesson: He is involved with ministry. Verse 10 refutes Calvinism — we are to get men, too. They had a choice here as well as in Luke 5. The choice was whether to obey or not. Some of the Lord’s work here is menial labor. He is still serving. We should not be afraid of menial labor either. God is always in the details, so we should do the same.
v. 11 — These are great fishes or “mega” fish. The count taken was 153. Picture Peter taking each fish out of the boat and laying it on the sand to count! There is a good bit of speculation about this number. Morris offers several explanations. Here is the primary one. “The reason why the disciples were careful to count, and John to record, the number of fishes brought to the shore must again involve symbolism, as there seems no other reason for it. It has been calculated that there were 153 distinct nations in the world at the time of Christ (the number is not much different at present); these were represented at Pentecost by 17 ethnic groups (see Ac. 2:8-11), when the disciples first began to carry out the Commission, preaching to the world in miniature, as it were.” He mentions some other calculations, but concludes that the number is more than coincidence.
v. 12 — The net was not broken. The previous time in Luke 5:6 the net did break. Human “fish” caught in the Gospel net, would be drawn to shore and never lost. There is no greater security in life than that of the repentant, born again believer.
This is a tiny picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb which they and we are looking forward to. They know they are out of fellowship with the Lord, yet He offers them reconciliation and food.
v. 13 — He’s reminding them of the Last Supper, but no cup because He won’t drink it with them again until He comes the second time (Luke 22).
v. 16 — The Lord is calling Peter by his original name Simon as if to say, “Are you going back to what you were?” Peter is the disciple of the Lord whereas Simon is the son of Jonas. “Do you love me more that these fish? — Love me and move on or love the fish and go back.” He talks of feeding His lambs. Lambs are babies. He’s telling Peter to take care of the new Christians as well as the older ones (sheep). Look at 1 Peter 2:21-25, especially verse 25. Bishop here is equivalent to Lord, but we also have responsibilities in this ministry of reconciliation. A pastor is an under shepherd. In 1 Peter 5:1-5, the instruction is to feed the flock, working under the guidance of the Chief Shepherd. Also notice that 1 Peter 2:24 is a picture of repentance (dead to sin or turning from sin).
v. 17 The third time Jesus asks Peter about loving His sheep, Peter is grieved. Why? He finally understands that it is a repetition of the three times Peter denied Christ. This will really stick in Peter’s mind now. The Lord often teaches His children this way — with some thought to “niggle” relentlessly in the mind. Simon, son of Jonas was the old man. Peter was the new name given. We will all get new names when we get to heaven and meet the Lord.
v. 18 — “Verily, verily” is saying, “Pay attention now.” History tells us that Peter died by crucifixion. The Lord is forewarning Peter of this. In describing the job that Peter will do, the Lord does not “candy coat” it, but gives him the real bottom line — “Take up your cross, and follow me.” Check out Luke 14:27-33. In making all decisions, but especially to follow Christ, count the cost, plan ahead, know what you are getting into. We should not fool those we witness to either. The modern day technique in America is to “candy coat” the Gospel. They offer prosperity, peace, a better life. That may be part of the road for some, but every Christian will be persecuted and despised because the world despised the Saviour. If there is no persecution then you probably aren’t doing the job and the Lord will chastise.
Look at 2 Tim. 4:5-6. Here is Paul ready to meet death. He was beheaded by Nero and he still encourages Timothy to do the work of the Lord no matter what the end result. In 2 Pet. 1:14, it may be near the end for Peter. Sometimes people know when they are about finished with life.
v. 19 — Here is encouragement to do as the Saviour did.
v. 20 — Peter does have stubbornness, doesn’t he? He exhibits the wrong attitude and asks about what will happen to John! As it turns out, John lives a long time, works much longer, and thus waits much longer to be with the Lord. History tells us that they tried to boil John in oil. It didn’t work. Why? Because it wasn’t his time — his work wasn’t finished yet. He still had to write Revelation.
v. 21-22 — “Don’t worry about John, Peter, just do as I have told you.” It doesn’t matter what the road is for someone else, do your own task. As it turned out, in one sense, John did tarry till the Lord came because he saw Him in the vision of Revelation where he was translated into the future. John was the last disciple to die. His brother was the first apostle martyred.
v. 24,25 — John gives his testimony that this is the truth. He also states that many others can verify it, . All of the work that Christ did/does in individuals and the creation would take unlimited numbers of books. Adam lived 930 years. To recount his life alone would take volumes! The four Gospels record what Jesus began to teach and to do. If all of the work of the Holy Spirit were compiled into books, the number would be astronomical. The Lord’s work is infinite and eternal.