Preface
This final chapter in John is extremely rich in both symbol and
doctrine. It is a chapter of critical importance to the Christian who seeks to
serve Jesus Christ. Its lessons are not intended for the unbeliever. When a
person exercises faith alone in Christ alone and at that instance becomes
“born again (or from above),” he begins a spiritual life, not unlike his
physical life. He begins as a baby who needs nourishment and care so that he may
progressively grow into spiritual adulthood. This chapter is directed to the
person who would be a “disciple of Christ,” and it reveals several key concepts
on how this spiritual growth is to be accomplished, the primary one being the
feeding (teaching) of God’s Word (Bible doctrine). It is a fitting chapter with
which to end what is to some the most glorious of the Gospels within the Bible.
John 21:1, 2
After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of
Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the
Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His
disciples were together.
This is the third time mentioned in this gospel that Jesus appeared to His
disciples. That there were other times is clear from the other three gospels.
This gospel shows Him appearing to His disciples on the evening of the day of
the resurrection, then one week later, and now by the shore of the Sea of
Tiberias (Galilee). The meaning of the phrase, “in this way He showed Himself,”
gives hint that at first He altered His appearance so that they could not
recognize Him.
Other commentators suggest that He was simply too far away from shore to be
identified or that His features had been altered due to His pre-cross treatment.
This is unlikely since He was close enough to be heard and He had already
previously appeared to them and they were aware of His visage. On the other hand
it is consistent with other post-cross appearance accounts whereby He
miraculously altered His countenance unrecognizable.
Seven of His disciples were together on this day. There was Peter, Thomas,
Nathanael, James and John (the sons of Zebedee), and two others not identified.
John 21:3-14
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are
going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that
night they caught nothing. Then Jesus said to them, “Children [Gk: “paidion,”
indicating weak, ignorant, childish], have you any food?” They answered Him,
“No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you
will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because
of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to
Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put
on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the
other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but
about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had
come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon
Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and
fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said
to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who
are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and
gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed
Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
If there are spiritual lessons to be learned in these first few verses it is
that Jesus Christ becomes more apparent or real to the child of God as He
listens to and obeys the instructions of Jesus Christ, that this revelation of
Christ to the believer is at the will of and under the control of God and that
Christ reveals Himself sooner to some than others.
Success in the Christian life is directly proportional to the degree one is
controlled by Jesus Christ. It is inversely proportional to self-control. Here
again one may see the two major and conflicting directions (pathways) in life.
One is at the will and whim of man, while the other is at the hand of God. One
is based on self-will, self-aggrandizement and self-effort; while the other is
based on the preeminence and work of God. One is anchored in man’s love of gods.
The other is all about God’s love for man. One is born of religion, where man
exerts his efforts to achieve the approbation (approval) of God. The other is
born of a union or relationship with a Person—Jesus Christ. Christianity is
not, repeat not a religion.
This is the last recorded miracle of our Lord, and the only miracle
recorded after His resurrection. This is most important because you
and I are concerned about the ministry of Christ after His
resurrection. Paul says, “. . . yea, though we have known Christ after
the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more” (2 Cor. 5:16). We
are not joined to the baby in Bethlehem but to a resurrected, living,
glorified Christ at God’s right hand. This is why His ministry after
His resurrection is so vital for us.
There are several things I would like to call to your attention
here. Have you noticed that the Lord uses what people have as the
basis for His miracles? The disciples are fishing and catch nothing.
The Lord Jesus gives them a harvest of fish. At Cana the water pots
were empty. The Lord has the pots filled with water and then changes
the water to wine. He asks Moses what he has in his hand. Moses says
it is a rod, and with that rod, God performs His miracles for Israel .
. . It is interesting that whatever is in your hand, God can use. So
many people wish they were somewhere else or in some other
circumstances. My friend, if God can’t use you right where you are, I
don’t think He can use you somewhere else.
Besides, have you ever noticed that what God does He does in
abundance? The water pots were full of wine. There were baskets of
food left over after the 5,000 had been fed. The nets were filled with
fish.
Also, notice that although Jesus had fish laid on a bed of coals
for their breakfast on the shore of Galilee, He also asks for some of
the fish which they had caught. He accepts their service. When they
had fished at His command, He accepts what they bring. What blessed
fellowship there is in this kind of service.
(Thru the Bible by J. Vernon McGee)
It is interesting to note that it was the Apostle John, the disciple “whom
Jesus loved,” who first recognized His Lord. The fact that Jesus loved John is
mentioned so often was not because Jesus didn’t also love all the others. God
through Jesus Christ loves all human beings, from the first to the last. But
John apparently was able to love His Savior with even a greater degree of
intensity and sincerity than the others; therefore, He was always awarded with
the “Medal of Love” (recognition). He also was allowed to live and serve longer
upon the earth than the other disciples. He was permitted to be the conduit for
the writing of several books of God’s Word, to include the greatest book of
prophecy (Revelation) about the “end times.” And here, he is permitted to
be the first one to recognize Jesus Christ. What an honor! All this because of
his deep and sincere love for Jesus, a factor that will come to play again later
in this chapter.
Now whereas John is the “Apostle of Love,” Peter is the “Apostle of Action.”
As soon as he realizes from John’s revelation that it is Jesus on the shore, He
immediately puts on his outer garment and “plunges into” (not “on”) the water.
Although it doesn’t say, it is presumed that he swims over to Jesus. Some
theorize that he walks on water, but this is not the case. All the others stayed
in the boat, which was only about a hundred yards from shore, and managed the
fish while coming to Jesus. Note: The management of the provisions from Christ
is just as important as making a big splash of devotion. Steadily attending to
duty is deeper than the shallow façade (display) of emotion.
Now, there is another very important lesson in this symbolism. Later it will
be seen that the primary instruction of this chapter is a disciple’s
responsibility to feed both the young lambs and mature sheep of Jesus Christ.
But first must come the feeding of the disciples by Jesus Christ—an order of
priorities which should never be violated.
The number of fish is precisely given in this passage—153. At this time this
writer must only leave up to the speculation of the reader the significance of
the number. Some have suggested that it represents the number of languages in
the world at that time. Others have felt it represented the number of races or
tribes in the world, toward which the gospel net would be spread out. And
others, the number of species of fish within the world then. This writer does
not know but one thing is for certain—nothing in God’s word is mentioned without
meaning. Also, no matter how abundantly God will bless the believer when he is
obedient to God’s direction; God will make certain that the believer’s ability
(net) for service and to contain such blessings is both abundant and sufficient
to contain them without breaking.
The invitation to breakfast is heard, and the disciples gather
around the fire of coals to partake of the good things the Lord had
provided. Peter must have had his own thoughts as he saw the fire of
coals. Was he reminded of the fire at which he warmed himself when he
denied the Lord? The disciples felt a strange sense of awe and
solemnity in the presence of the Lord. There He stood in His
resurrection body. There were many questions they would like to have
asked Him. But they did not dare. They knew “it was the Lord”—even if
they felt a certain sense of mystery shrouded His Person.
(Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald)
John 21:15-17
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of
Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know
that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second
time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You
know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third
time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said
to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all
things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
The crux of this chapter is in these three verses. The disciples had just
been provided a grand meal at the hands of their Lord. This was an inspiring,
not to mention filling, symbol of the lesson He would now express to Peter (and
it is most likely the others witnessed). Here the Lord asks Peter a series of
three very similar questions. Why did He do it three times? It is thought that
the reinforcement was given to parallel the three times Peter previously denied
the Lord. But it is more than this, as the reader will see.
To understand the lesson it is important to understand the meaning of the
word “love” in the Greek language.
There are three words in the Greek language that are translated
into the English by the one word “love.”. . . The first word they have
is the word “eros.” In the use of this word they degraded the word in
this use for they personified it. The fact of the matter is thay have
made “Eros” a god and put together in combination the names of
Aphrodite and Eros. Today we know these names better as Venus and
Cupid [their Roman names]. . . “Eros” is a word of sensuality
and we do believe that the Hollywood “sex,” that has really been put
into high gear today, would best express what the Greeks had in mind.
But this word “eros” is never used in the Word of God.
There is another Greek word—it is “phileo,” and it means
“friendship.” It has to do with the affections and the emotions in
human relations at its very best usage. We get our word
“philanthropic” from it, and “Philadelphia” comes from
it—Philadelphia, the city of “brotherly love.” And that is a word that
is used in Scripture.
But there is yet another word for love. It is “agapao.” “Agapao” is
actually the highest and noblest word for love. Dr. Vincent in his
Word Studies calls it a word of dignity. It is also a divine word,
in that it is a word used to speak of the love of God
(Thu the Bible by J. Vernon McGee)
It may be added that whereas phileo love expresses a reciprocal love
that is often used between brother and brother, sister and sister and parent and
child, agapao love expresses a completely unselfish and non-reciprocal
love resident in God, which is expressed toward man and should be expressed by
man toward God.
It is wonderful to have the right doctrine and the right creed, but
salvation is a love affair. . . Love is the supreme word.
Candidly, if it had been left to me I would have chosen “faith” as
the supreme word of Christianity. . . But, of course, Scripture
answers that right away: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity [love],
these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love]” (1 Cor.
13:13).
(Thru the Bible by J. Vernon McGee)
Agapao love is quite telling. It is by this love that Jesus said the
world would know that His disciples were followers of Him (John 13:35).
Also in Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus said to him,” ‘You
shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with
all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like
it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang
all the Law and the Prophets.” Take a good concordance and follow the
hundreds of verses in which love is mentioned. It is astounding! Only by such a
study will one learn how important love is to God’s heart and to spiritual life.
Although love is the basis for God’s grace and the believer’s actions (Galatians
5:6), it should be pointed out that faith is the entrance key to the Door of
Salvation (Jesus Christ) and a primary means by which the believer indicates his
love for His Savior. If one will truly love His Savior, He will believe (faith)
God’s Word. To doubt God’s Word is to deny Him true love. You might say that
often these two words are interlinked.
It is on the basis of agapao love that Christ first questions Peter.
Jesus first asks Peter if he loves (agapao) Him better than the other
disciples love Him. Having learned a very important lesson previously when he
denied his Lord three times, Peter answers back “Yes Lord, You know that I love
(phileo—have affection or am fond of) you.” Peter now knowing something
of his braggart heart, could not bring himself to boasting of an agapao
love for His Savior. If the truth be known, most, if not all Christians, do not
love God with an agapao love. Those that do actually are recipients of
this degree of love as they surrender to God and Christ lives through them (Colossians
2:6; Romans 5:5). But then it is not so much that Christians love God as it
is that God loved and loves each Christian. In any case, Peter could not bring
himself to commit to anymore than a deep affection or fondness for His Savior.
Jesus then instructs Peter that if this is the case, Peter is to feed His
lambs (baby sheep). There is no more important duty for the disciple or minister
of Jesus Christ than to feed young Christians the milk and then the meat of the
Word of God (Bible doctrine). If there is a failure in local churches today, it
lies in this. Sermons after sermons are cast upon congregations—each expressing
platitudes and pep-jargon—hoping to inspire the membership to greater spiritual
heights. Then, when such heights are never obtained, when members lose their
focus on Christ and their ability to love one another and Satan establishes his
foothold, the minister fails to understand. One cannot be adequately fed God’s
Word in 30 to 40 minutes of a Sunday school class once a week. Each local church
must design programs to instill in-depth Bible doctrine in their membership.
Bible doctrine should be emphasized from the pulpit on a regular basis.
Doctrinal study groups should proliferate. Eating and digesting the meat of
God’s Word should be an obsession with all church leaders. Only then will it
become really important to the “flock,” and only then will there be true
spiritual growth and outward “loving” results.
Then a second time Jesus asks Peter if he agapao loves Him. But this
time he leaves off the comparison with the other disciples. Peter responds, as
he did the first time, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love [phileo]
You.” Again Peter can only admit to having a deep affection for His
Savior. He was honest, unlike so many Christians today who boast of their “love
of Christ.” It is far better to be honest and admit to a less than supreme love,
than to lie to God who sees the heart.
Upon this admission, Christ then tells Peter to “tend” (or “shepherd”) His
sheep. Along with feeding the flock, the disciple or minister has the
responsibility of leading, guiding and disciplining the flock. If the minister
asks the membership to give extra money to a particular cause, he has the
responsibility to step forward and demonstrate (in clear view) that he is
willing to give of his personal income first. If the pastor wishes to promote a
men’s prayer group, he should be the first to show up. If he expects members of
his flock to love and to forgive, he must show that he is eager to do just that
when someone in the church offends him. If he is to lead the membership in a
spiritual conflict, he has the responsibility go out in front of the troops and
lead them. God’s minister leads from the front. He does not push from the rear.
Finally Jesus inquires of Peter a third time. But this time the Lord lowers
his wording to match that of Peter’s affirmations. He asks Peter if he phileo
loves (or has affection for) Him. Now Peter is grieved. He is grieved not only
because Jesus continued to question him, but he now realizes that His Lord had
to come down to his level. This highlighted his limitation in loving His Savior
who did so much and who suffered so much for him. It was an awakening
experience, but one that was of particular value to Peter and which would later
give birth to greater degrees of spiritual growth and service. It is important
to remember that man doesn’t reach out to God. God reaches out to man.
Jesus then tells Peter to feed His mature sheep. It is just as important to
feed those who are mature in the faith as it is to feed the young babes in
Christ. Again, the feeding of God’s Word is the most important aspect of the
ministry. Nothing honors God more than when the pastor insures that the
membership of the church receives a steady diet of God’s Word (Bible doctrine).
Mark this fact—it is only through feasting on Bible doctrine that a believer is
able to properly grow spiritually and to provide adequate service in the Kingdom
of God. There is no more important lesson contained in this chapter of John.
John 21:18-25
“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and
walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands,
and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke,
signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He
said to him, “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom
Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and
said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus,
“But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain
till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out
among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to
him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is
that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote
these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many
other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose
that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Amen.
Jesus next tells Peter how in days to come he will meet his end. He is
telling Peter that he will die a martyr’s death, that he would be arrested,
bound and carried off to execution. Peter had said he would lay down his life
for Christ. Well, he was given the opportunity to do just that. Verse 19
reveals that Peter’s death glorified God, which teaches the believer that in
death, just as in life, one may glorify God.
As the disciples started to follow Christ in response to His command, Peter
turns to look at John, the disciple that had leaned upon Jesus during the
Passover supper and inquired about the disciple who would betray Him. Having
been told of his future death, Peter is inquisitive about John’s death. Jesus
responds, in effect, that it was none of Peter’s business. He tells Peter that
if He should will John to remain alive until His return it shouldn’t matter to
Peter. He then reinforces that what does matter is Peter’s stewardship and
service to Christ. The verses then amplify the meaning of Christ’s words here,
since they had been misinterpreted to mean that John would not die until
Christ’s return. Jesus did not say that John would remain alive until the
Rapture, but only that even if that were the case why should that affect Peter.
Within Christian circles it is unfortunate that individual believers are more
focused on each other rather than on their Savior. Christians will always let
you down—it never fails. As long as believers are saddled with the “sin nature,”
they will come short of perfection. More than that, they will come short of just
being adequate much of the time. If the believer will keep his eyes on Jesus
Christ, through the study of His Word, he will never be disappointed. What’s
even worse is a Christian who pathetically “gives up” on living for God, because
some other Christian fails to live up to God’s standards. Man will always show
failure. God never will.
The Apostle John adds a couple of verses of personal testimony in closing out
his gospel. He identifies that he is the one that is writing this epistle and
that his testimony is true. He also adds in verse 25 that there were many
other things which Jesus did, that if they were to be written down the world
would not be able to contain the books detailing them.
We have no fear in taking verse 25 literally! Jesus is God and is
therefore infinite. There is no limit to the meaning of His words or
to the number of His works. While He was here on earth, He was still
the Upholder of all things—the sun, moon, and stars. Who could ever
describe all that is involved in keeping the universe in motion? Even
in His miracles on earth, we have only the barest description. In a
simple act of healing, think of the nerves, muscles, blood corpuscles,
and other members that He controlled. Think of His direction of germs,
fishes, animal life. Think of His guidance in the affairs of men.
Think of His control over the atomic structure of every bit of matter
in the universe. Could the world itself possibly contain the books to
describe such infinite details? The answer is an emphatic “No.”
And so we come to the end of our commentary on John’s Gospel.
Perhaps we realize a little better why it has come to be one of the
best loved parts of the Bible. Certainly one can scarcely read it
thoughtfully and prayerfully without falling in love afresh with the
blessed Person whom it presents.
(Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald)
