John 21

King James Version

Full text for John Chapter 21

1¶ After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he [himself].

2There 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.

3Simon 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.

4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5Then Jesus saith unto them, ‹Children, have ye any meat?› They answered him, No.

6And 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.

7Therefore 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.

8And 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.

9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

10Jesus saith unto them, ‹Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.›

11Simon 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.

12Jesus saith unto them, ‹Come [and] dine.› And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15¶ 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.›

16He 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.›

17He 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.›

18‹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.›

19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, ‹Follow me.›

20¶ 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?

21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what [shall] this man [do]?

22Jesus saith unto him, ‹If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? follow thou me.›

23Then 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?

24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to seven disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, where they had toiled all night catching nothing. He miraculously directed them to a great catch of 153 fish, then shared a meal with them on the shore. Following this, Jesus three times questioned Simon Peter's love and commissioned him to "Feed my lambs" and "Feed my sheep," also foretelling Peter's future martyrdom.

Medium Summary

At the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus manifested Himself to seven disciples, including Peter, Thomas, and Nathanael, who had spent a fruitless night fishing. Unrecognized, Jesus instructed them to cast their net on the right side of the ship, resulting in an immense catch of 153 great fishes, which John then recognized as the Lord's doing. Peter, upon realizing it was Jesus, eagerly cast himself into the sea to reach Him. On shore, Jesus had prepared a fire with fish and bread, inviting them to dine and sharing the meal. This was Jesus's third appearance to His disciples after His resurrection. Afterward, Jesus thrice asked Simon Peter if he loved Him, and upon Peter's affirmations, commanded him to "Feed my lambs" and "Feed my sheep," thereby restoring and commissioning him for pastoral care.

Long Summary

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to seven of His disciples—Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two others—at the Sea of Tiberias. Having fished all night without success, they encountered Jesus on the shore, though they did not recognize Him. Jesus inquired if they had any food, and upon their negative reply, instructed them to cast their net on the right side of the ship. Following His command, they caught such a multitude of fish that they could not draw the net, prompting the beloved disciple to exclaim, "It is the Lord." Simon Peter, upon hearing this, immediately girt his coat and cast himself into the sea to reach Jesus, while the others followed in the boat, dragging the net filled with 153 great fishes, yet the net remained unbroken. Upon reaching land, they found a fire of coals with fish and bread already prepared by Jesus, who then invited them to bring some of their catch and dine with Him. Jesus then took bread and fish and gave it to them, marking this as His third post-resurrection manifestation to His disciples. After the meal, Jesus three times asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Each time, Peter affirmed his love, and Jesus responded with the commission, "Feed my lambs" or "Feed my sheep," thereby reinstating Peter and entrusting him with the care of His flock. Jesus then prophesied Peter's future martyrdom, indicating by what death he would glorify God, and commanded him, "Follow me." Peter, observing the beloved disciple following, questioned Jesus about his fate, to which Jesus replied, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." The chapter concludes with the affirmation that the beloved disciple (John) testified and wrote these things, and that his testimony is true, also noting that the world itself could not contain all the books if every deed of Jesus were written.

Core Concepts

  • Miraculous CatchJesus, unrecognized, directs the disciples to cast their net, resulting in an overwhelming catch of 153 large fish after a night of fruitless labor, demonstrating His divine power and provision.
  • Post-Resurrection AppearanceThis chapter details the third time Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after His resurrection, solidifying their faith and providing further proof of His triumph over death.
  • Peter's RestorationJesus thrice questions Peter about his love, mirroring Peter's three denials, and upon Peter's affirmations, restores him to ministry and leadership.
  • Pastoral CommissionWith each affirmation of love, Jesus commands Peter to "Feed my lambs" and "Feed my sheep," entrusting him with the spiritual care and guidance of His followers.
  • Prophecy of MartyrdomJesus foretells Peter's future death, indicating that he would glorify God through a form of martyrdom, and calls him to "Follow me" in this ultimate sacrifice.
  • The Beloved Disciple's FatePeter inquires about the future of the disciple whom Jesus loved (John), to which Jesus responds that John's fate is not Peter's concern, emphasizing Peter's individual call to follow.
  • The Scope of Jesus's DeedsThe chapter concludes by stating that if all of Jesus's deeds were written, the world itself could not contain the books, highlighting the immeasurable extent of His ministry and impact.