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Summary

John 21:1–14 – Breakfast by the Sea

What happens:
Several disciples return to Galilee and go fishing at dawn but catch nothing all night. At daybreak Jesus stands on the shore, though they do not recognize him, and tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They obey and haul in a large catch of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loves realizes it is the Lord and tells Peter, who jumps into the water to swim ashore. The others follow in the boat dragging the net. On the beach they find bread and fish cooking. Jesus invites them to bring some of the catch, and they share a meal together.

What it means:
Jesus cares for his followers’ practical needs and reveals himself anew through provision. Obedience to his word leads to abundance, and recognition of his presence transforms ordinary work into shared fellowship.


John 21:15–19 – Peter’s Restoration

What happens:
After breakfast Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter affirms his love each time. Jesus responds each time by commanding Peter to “feed my lambs,” “take care of my sheep,” and “feed my sheep.” Jesus predicts the way Peter will glorify God through his future martyrdom and tells him to follow the path Jesus has chosen.

What it means:
Jesus heals Peter’s threefold denial by reaffirming his commission. Genuine love for Christ is demonstrated in shepherding his people. Peter’s call to follow Jesus includes both pastoral care and the willingness to lay down his life.


John 21:20–23 – The Beloved Disciple’s Future

What happens:
Peter notices the beloved disciple following them and asks Jesus about his fate. Jesus tells Peter to focus on his own calling, “What is that to you? You follow me.” A misunderstanding arises that the beloved disciple will not die, but Jesus clarifies that the disciple’s destiny is God’s to reveal, not Peter’s to know.

What it means:
God assigns different callings and timelines to each disciple. Comparison distracts from obedience. Jesus invites Peter (and all believers) to focus on following him rather than on the paths of others.


John 21:24–25 – The Beloved Disciple’s Witness

What happens:
The author identifies himself as the disciple who testified to these things and assures that his testimony is true. He adds that Jesus did many other signs not recorded, but the ones written are so that readers may believe.

What it means:
Reliable eyewitness testimony undergirds the Gospel’s authority. The selection of signs and teachings serves the purpose of inspiring faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.


Application

  • Obey Jesus’ instructions, even when they seem routine, trusting his provision will meet your needs
  • Embrace restoration through Christ’s forgiveness and recommissioning, serving his people with love and humility
  • Avoid comparing your journey or calling to others; focus on following Jesus in the path he has laid out for you
  • Treasure the Gospel’s eyewitness witness and share the truth of Christ’s life and resurrection with confidence
  • Cultivate fellowship around Christ—like the shared meal by the sea—to strengthen faith and community

Bible

1After 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.

15So 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.

18Verily, 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.

20Then 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.

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