January 9, 2008

 

Chapter 21, verses 1-6- This closing chapter has much in it to stimulate

our interest as it provides additional insight into Jesus’ relationship with His

disciples.  Some have suggested the book should end at 20:31; but there is

no manuscript evidence to suggest that and when compared with I John

5:13 (which appears to end the epistle) we find more material.

  “after these things”- an indefinite period of several days; “Jesus showed Himself”- use of ephanerosen (1:31, 3:21, 7:4, 9:3, 17:6, 21:14).  It would indicate that Jesus was not constantly present with the disciples in His post-resurrection appearances.  “Tiberias”-  also called the “sea of Galilee”-

note Matt.28:7 and Mark 16:7 where the disciples are pointed toward Galilee

for His post-resurr. appearances.

  Then vs.2 lists 7 disciples: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, sons of

Zebedee (James & John) and two other of His disciples.  Then in vs.3,

Simon Peter announces that he is going fishing.  To some commentators,

this action by Peter is seen as disloyal in view of their commission to carry

the gospel.  But there is no reason to construe Peter’s action like that; he

simply carried on his work, joined by the others.  Upon completing their

intended fishing, the gospel reports “they caught nothing”.  Such emptiness

may be a way of expressing how human effort fails and only divinely-directed actions can accomplish valued results.

  “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore…”

Jesus’ presence is stated but His identity remains unknown to the fishermen,

much like other reports- John 20:14 and Luke 24:15-16.  He addresses them

with “children” (paidia).  It is an unusual term found only in Jesus’ speaking

in 13:33 and should be understood as a term of endearment (as in a coach

referring to his team as “my boys”).  “Have you any food?” is an interrogative that expects a negative answer; so the NIV has “haven’t you any fish?”  They respond with “no”.  In His omniscience, Jesus already knows the situation

but uses their answer for staging His command- “Cast the net on the right

side of the boat, and you will find some.”  Jesus knew even where fish

would be that had silver in their mouth- Matt. 17:27.

  Vs. 6 continues- “so they cast,….were not able to draw it…”

No doubt they recall the earlier incident in Luke 5:1-11 that prompted them

into becoming disciples.  Vs.7 records John saying to Peter, “it is the Lord!”

  This catching of fish may have served as a stimulus of renewal- they recall

their earlier commitment to serving Jesus and they realize that He knows

all and controls all.  The drama of the crucifixion and the resurrection may have left them temporarily psychologically exhausted and spent.  This “fishing” incident reminds them that are called to “fish for men”= Matt.4:19.

 

 

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 The bounty of the net is described as a “multitude of fish”- vs.6; “one hundred fifty three fish”- vs.11 and the necessity of dragging the net

to shore due to its weight- vs. 11.   John’s recognition of Jesus may have been

due to the parallel incident earlier.  Simon, once again, jumps ship and wades

ashore.  John’s gospel gives details in vs. 8-11 about how the fish were

brought to shore.

   While this provision of fish is not a “miracle” but evidences providential

power and knowledge, it does occur in Galilee, just as the first miracle did.

The water-to-wine miracle occurred on the 3^rd day (2:1) while this happened

to be “third time Jesus showed Himself”- vs.14.  Further, both required

a command by Jesus to be obeyed. 

    This divine blessing of full nets may have prophetic implications for the “fish” caught under Peter’s preaching in Acts 2 of 3000 people- see vs.41- which is a fulfillment of Jesus’ words about Peter having the keys of the kingdom (Matt.16:19).  Those “keys” are to open the door of evangelism and outreach to the Jews first (Rom.1:16) and later in chapter 10, to the Gentiles.