34Epilogue—Part 1: Self-effort or Spiritual Power? (John 21:1–14)

After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. (21:1–14)

The main section of John’s gospel ended at the close of chapter with the apostle’s summary statement of his purpose in writing. His goal was that his readers “may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing [they] may have life in His name” (v.31). Chapter is an epilogue that, along with the prologue (1:1–18), bookends the main part of the gospel.

Some argue that John did not write this appendix, but insist that it was added later by one of his close associates. However there is no evidence that John’s gospel ever circulated without chapter 21; all extant manuscripts include it. Nor is the epilogue superfluous; it serves as a fitting conclusion to this inspired gospel by answering a number of questions raised in readers’ minds.

First, it answers the question of who would care for the disciples after Jesus returned to the Father and was no longer physically present.

Second, it brings closure to the story of Peter. He had denied Christ on the night of His arrest and was nowhere to be found at the crucifixion scene. Even after seeing the empty tomb, he was uncertain about what had really happened. The epilogue reveals that Peter’s denial and doubt were not the end of his story by relating his reconciliation with Jesus and the recommissioning by Him.

Third, it addresses a false rumor that the apostle John would not die before the Lord’s return.

Fourth, it explains why John did not include the “many other signs Jesus also performed” (20:30) in his gospel.

Fifth, it addresses the issue of the disciples’ future now that they would be without their Master. Would He still protect them from the world?

Sixth, it reinforces the truth that the beloved disciple was none other than John himself.

Finally, “The presence of an epilogue seems required by the opening prologue in order to preserve balance and symmetry of structure…. Hence both prologue and epilogue frame the Gospel in such a way that they form an integral part of the theological and literary fabric of the entire narrative” (Andreas J. Köstenberger, John, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament [Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004], 583–84).

The first fourteen verses of chapter 21 answer the first question, which was uppermost in the minds of the disciples. For the first time in more than three years, they faced having to fend for themselves, since Jesus had provided for all their needs while He was with them. The Lord made it clear that He would continue to do so. This time He demonstrated His commitment to meet their needs through a living illustration. But before the disciples learned the lesson that Christ would continue to provide for them, they first had to be brought face-to-face with their own inadequacy. As a result, the passage illustrates two contrasting dependencies from which they could choose. The disciples could depend on their former trades and pick up on life as they had left it before Jesus called them, or they could continue in gospel ministry dependant on His power and provision. These two options face those who belong to Christ: are we on our own, or do we follow Christ? The answer is given here.

HUMAN WEAKNESS AND FAILURE

The phrase after these things refers to an unspecified time after the events recorded in chapter 20. The disciples had left Jerusalem and made their way north to Galilee, as Jesus had commanded them (Matt. 28:10, 16; Mark 14:28; 16:7). Apparently, all eleven did not travel together in one group, since this incident involved only seven of them. The twice-repeated statement that Jesus manifested Himself … to the disciples emphasizes the truth that after His resurrection He was not recognizable unless He revealed Himself (cf. 20:14). What was true of physically recognizing Jesus is also true spiritually. No one, apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit, can call Jesus Lord (1 Cor. 12:3), because “a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor. 2:14). Since “there is none who seeks for God” (Rom. 3:11), it was necessary for “the Son of Man [to] come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Apart from such seeking, the gospel remains foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18, 30–31).

The Sea of Tiberias is better known as the Sea of Galilee. The Bible also refers to it as the Sea of Chinnereth (Num. 34:11; Josh. 13:27), the Sea of Chinneroth (Josh. 12:3), and the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1). By the time John wrote his gospel, it had become commonly known as the Sea of Tiberias. That name came from the city of Tiberias on its western shore, which had been founded by Herod Antipas and named in honor of Emperor Tiberius (cf. Luke 3:1).

The seven apostles involved in this incident were Simon Peter (here, as always, listed first, indicating his general leadership of the apostles) and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, along with two others of His disciples (most likely Andrew and Philip, who had close ties to Peter and the sons of Zebedee [cf. 1:40, 44], and who always appear elsewhere in connection with the apostles named in this passage).

The first hint that all was not quite right was the disciples’ location. They were no longer at the mountain where Jesus had specifically commanded them to wait for Him (Matt. 28:16), but had gone down to the lake. Simon Peter evidently grew impatient waiting for the Lord to appear and impulsively said to the other six, “I am going fishing.” Peter was an impulsive man of action, not given to standing idly by for very long. He was not suggesting that they do some recreational fishing to pass the time, but rather was declaring that he was returning to his former livelihood. Three lines of evidence support that conclusion. In 16:32 Jesus had predicted that the disciples would abandon Him: “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home.” The word “home” was added by the translators; the Greek text reads simply, “his own,” which encompasses one’s home, property, possessions, and affairs (cf. 1 Thess. 4:11 where the same Greek phrase is translated “your own business”). Christ’s prediction thus implies more than that the disciples would return to their own houses. Second, the use of the definite article with the noun translated boat suggests a specific boat, probably one belonging to one of the disciples (or even Peter himself). Finally, the Lord’s challenge to Peter in verse 15, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” is best interpreted when “these” is seen as a reference to the boats, nets, and other paraphernalia associated with his fishing business. The Lord was calling Peter to turn his back on his former livelihood and be totally committed to serving Him. (See the discussion of v. 15 in chapter 35 of this volume.)

Dutifully following Peter’s regressive lead, the rest of the disciples said to him, “We will also come with you.” Certainly feeling inadequate to carry on any spiritual ministry on behalf of the kingdom of God, they were sure fishing was something they could do successfully. The seven went out and got into the boat and began fishing. As experienced fishermen, they knew that the nighttime was best for catching fish on the Sea of Galilee (cf. Luke 5:5), but that night they caught nothing. The disciples’ unsuccessful experience at something they knew how to do well was a lesson from the Lord about their inability to go back to their former lives. There is nothing wrong with fishing; it was a respectable profession. But it was not what the Lord had called them to do. They were chosen to be fishers of men (Matt. 4:19), and having “left their nets and followed Him” (v. 20; cf. Luke 9:23), there was no going back.

After a useless night of fishing, when the day was now breaking, the disciples headed back to shore, where Jesus stood on the beach waiting for them. As noted above, no one could recognize the Lord after His resurrection unless He revealed Himself to them. Thus, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

In a mild rebuke highlighting the failure of their fishing expedition, Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” Acknowledging that their attempt to return to provide for their own needs had failed, they answered Him, “No.” They had failed to reckon sufficiently with Jesus’ plan for their lives and His ability to super-naturally hinder their efforts. It is as if He said, “Do anything else and I will see that you fail!”

The disciples’ failure through that long night established their inability to give themselves successfully to any other enterprise than serving their Lord. Not only had they dramatically been brought face-to-face with their own inability and divine sovereignty, but they were also next shown a miraculous creative act, demonstrating that Jesus would continue to provide their needs.

DIVINE POWER AND SUCCESS

And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. (21:6–14)

The Lord began the second lesson by calling out to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” The disciples were no doubt exhausted and frustrated after their failed fishing expedition, and did not know at first who was speaking. They must have been tempted to tell this bold stranger to mind his own business. After all, they were experienced fishermen; who was he to tell them what to do? And did he think the fish knew the difference between one side of the boat and the other?

But there was something authoritative in the voice that allowed for no argument or hesitance, so they obeyed His command. To their astonishment, they cast their net, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Just as He had rerouted all the fish away from their boat all through the night, Jesus now redirected a massive school to the right side of it. As a result, the net was so full that all seven of them could not haul it in.

The parallel between this incident, which led to the disciples’ (especially Peter’s) recommissioning, and their original call to be Jesus’ disciples is stunning:

Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:1–7)

The disciple whom Jesus loved (John; cf. the discussion of 21:20 in chapter 35 of this volume) immediately recognized who the stranger was and said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” Only He had such supernatural knowledge and power. Impulsive as ever, when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work, probably wearing only a loincloth in the warm spring season), and threw himself into the sea. So intense was his desire to be with Jesus that Peter could not wait for the boat to reach the shore. Characteristically, John was quicker to perceive; Peter was quicker to act.

Meanwhile the other disciples, lacking Peter’s impulsiveness, came struggling toward the shore in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away. Since they were unable to haul it in, they were dragging the net full of fish behind them. When they all arrived at the shore and got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Showing His compassionate care for the tired, hungry disciples, Jesus had prepared breakfast for them, perhaps miraculously creating the fish as He had done before (6:11–13). He had said to them earlier, “I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:27), and He had washed their feet as an example of humble service (John 13:1–15). Now the risen Lord showed that He would still serve the disciples who were faithful to Him by meeting their needs—which they had been unable in disobedience to meet themselves. Here was a practical illustration of the words of Jesus in the upper room:

Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:13–14)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:7–11)

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16; cf. Phil. 4:19)

When the disciples had all made it ashore, Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” The fish and bread He had already prepared would serve to get the meal underway while they cooked some of the fish caught in the disciples’ net. In response, Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land. That he was able to haul the net full of large fish onto the shore by himself shows that he was a man of considerable physical strength. Many fanciful explanations have been offered for the alleged hidden significance of the number of fish in the net, a hundred and fifty-three. The simple, obvious explanation, however, is that this was the actual number of fish they had caught. Here is another indication that John was an eyewitness of the events he recorded (1 John 1:1–3; cf. John 1–11, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary [Chicago: Moody, 2006], 5–6). To the question of why the fish were counted, D. A. Carson replies,

It is unsurprising that someone counted them, either as part of dividing them up amongst the fishermen in preparation for sale, or because one of the men was so dumbfounded by the size of the catch that he said something like this: “Can you believe it? I wonder how many there are?” (John, 672)

Surprisingly, although there were so many, the net was not torn. This again is the type of detail that an eyewitness would note, especially a fisherman like John. That the Lord provided far more fish than they could eat at one meal is further evidence of His provision for them. The disciples could have preserved and eaten the fish over the next several days, or sold them and lived off the proceeds.

The Lord’s invitation to them, “Come and have breakfast,” was a call to full fellowship. Feeling guilty for their disobedience in trying to return to their former trade and awed by the supernatural presence of their resurrected Master, however, they were surely uneasy, hesitant, and uncertain. But none of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” They suppressed their question, knowing that it could only be the Lord.

Evidently the disciples were too overwhelmed to accept Jesus’ invitation and start eating. Acting as a gracious host, Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise, thus beginning the meal. John gave no details of what happened during the meal; he picked up the narrative afterward in verse 15 with the story of Jesus’ restoring of Peter. The apostle concluded this account by noting that this is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead; that is, the third time recorded in John’s gospel (cf. 20:19–23, 26–29).

Just as their disobedience had resulted in failure, the disciples’ obedience brought overwhelming success. The miraculous catch of fish and the meal He provided for them demonstrated to the disciples that Jesus could and would still meet their needs. This story also reminds all believers that obedience always brings blessing (cf. Gen. 22:18; Ex. 19:5; Lev. 26:3–12; Deut. 28:1–14; Pss. 19:11; 119:1–2; Isa. 1:19; Jer. 7:23; John 13:17; James 1:25; Rev. 22:7). The point at the historical moment this event happened and the primary sense of the event was to overcome the disciples’ fear of failure and weakness that was causing them to drift back into their old ways. What our Lord did here settled forever in the minds of the apostles that they were called to serve the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of their lives.

The Lord, as always, uses weak and sinful people to advance His kingdom because there are no other kinds of people (cf. Isa. 6:5–8; 1 Cor. 1:26–31; 2 Cor. 12:7–10; 1 Tim. 1:12–15).