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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:
“FEED MY LAMBS”

[“Continue Following Me”]
Key Word: Affection

John 21:1-3 – “I Am Going Fishing”

JN21:1 After these things 1087 Jesus appeared again to the disciples by the sea of Tiberias. 1088 However, he made the appearance 1089 in the following manner.

1087	After these things: The Risen Master was about a month with his disciples and all the Gospels relate some of these appearances or manifestations.

1088	The sea of Tiberias: The disciples have returned to Galilee.

1089	Appearance: Or, manifestation, showed. The Greek is EPHANEROSEN. Compare it with Hebrews 9:24, 26. Note Acts 10:40 where it is The God who granted the visible appearances of Jesus.

JN21:2 These were, all together – Simon Peter, Thomas (the one called the Twin), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, 1090 and two other of Jesus’ disciples. 1091

1090	Sons of Zebedee: That is, John [the writer of this Gospel] and James.

1091	Two other of Jesus’ disciples: It is interesting that these remained unnamed, while a slave of a Jewish priest is named. [John 18:10] It is possible there is something negative about these which manifested itself later.

JN21:3 Now Simon Peter said to them: “I am going fishing!” 1092 They said to him: “We will go together with you.” They left and embarked in the boat. During that whole night they caught nothing. 1093

1092

I am going fishing: As will be seen, Peter should have busied himself with the Master’s work. Earlier Peter had claimed that he and others “had left all things” in order to follow Jesus. [Luke 18:28] However, Jesus had commanded his “little flock” of apostles to “sell everything and give gifts of charity to the poor.” [Luke 12:32, 33] It is clear they did not do this, though later apparently they do. [Acts 2-5]

1093

During that whole night they caught nothing: Most commercial fishing in the Mediterranean area is done at night, and one can see the same lamps bobbing on the sea throughout the dark hours. This is likely the case among the Palestinian fisherman around the Sea of Galilee. There is a lesson here: men who should be serving the Lord will not have God’s blessing on their commercial efforts.

John 21:4-8 – “It Is the Master!”

JN21:4 Now, just as dawn arrived, Jesus stood on the beach. 1094 Of course, the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 1095

1094	Just as dawn arrived, Jesus stood on the beach: We can imagine a lovely morning with the night winds down and the sea as flat as glass. The world of Galilee is coming alive with the sounds of birds and animals. The gentle waves lap at the seashore.

1095	Of course, the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus: The glorified Nazarene does not look the same as he is in “another form.” [Mark 16:12] This is someone they had spent years with, and had most recently seen and felt. [1 John 1:1-3]

JN21:5 So, Jesus called to them: “Little children, 1096 do you have anything to eat?” They answered, “No!”

1096	Little children: Or, young children. Early Jesus had called his disciples “little boys.”

JN21:6 But, the person said to them: “Cast your net to starboard 1097 and you will catch fish!” So, they cast their net but they were not strong enough 1098 to draw in the net because of the multitude of fishes.

1097	Cast your net to starboard: Or, right side. The suggestion is absurd, but that makes it even more of a miracle. It is similar to an earlier miracle the disciples would have remembered as fishermen.

1098	They were not strong enough: There are at least seven of them.

JN21:7 Then, the disciple Jesus preferred said to Peter: “It is the Master!” 1099 In response, Simon Peter – having heard it was the Master, pulled on his top garment, as he was stripped – and lunged into the sea.

1099	It is the Master: John is quick to realize the miracle, whereas Peter is too focused on the catch.

JN21:8 But, the other disciple arrived in the little boat, dragging the net full of fishes – for they were not far from the shore – less than a hundred yards.

John 21:9-14 – “Come, Take Breakfast”

JN21:9 Now as soon as they stepped ashore they saw a charcoal fire with fish upon it and some bread. 1100

1100	A charcoal fire with fish upon it and some bread: Another miracle!

JN21:10 Jesus said to them: “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” JN21:11 So, Simon Peter went and drew the net ashore full of large fish – one hundred and fifty-three 1101 [of them]. There were so many and yet the net had not ripped. 1102

1101

One hundred and fifty-three: Much as been made of this unique number by numerologists. Some Trinitarians have even found the cryptic number of the Trinity in 153. It seems a simple matter that Peter has counted the fish first as the one obsessed with his fishing business, rather than shepherding the Master’s sheep. This becomes clear in what follows.

1102	The net had not ripped: Another miracle only a fisherman would note.

JN21:12 Jesus said to them: “Come, and breakfast.” Not one of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” 1103 For they realized it was the Master.

1103	Who are you: It seems obvious the Master is appearing in different forms and not in the body that died [save for the sake of the unbelieving Thomas].

JN21:13 Jesus came and taking the bread, he gave it to them, as well as the cooked fish. JN21:14 Now this was already the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after his being raised up from the dead.

John 21:15-19 – What Do You Love Most?

JN21:15 After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, [son] of John, do you love 1104 me more than these 1105 [fish]?” Peter said: “Yes, Master, you are aware that I have affection 1106 for you.” Jesus said to him: “Continue to feed my young lambs!” 1107

1104	Love: The Greek is AGAPAS and a play on words begins. Peter had denied his Master three times, and now three times his love will be questioned.

1105

Do you love me more than these: This question has caused much discussion over the centuries. But, it seems, since the fish have been numbered – and it is Peter who has suggested the fishing business – that Jesus has in mind the 153 fish and the fishing business. Likely, Jesus gestured or motioned toward the fish.

1106	Affection: Or, fond, like. The Greek is not AGAPE but PHILO.

1107	Feed my young lambs: Luke 22:32 has Jesus instructing Peter – in the context of his predicted denials – to “strengthen” his brothers. Peter has not only denied Jesus, but also failed to strengthen his fellow disciples. Thus, the reason for the words here.

JN21:16 Then Jesus asked him again for the second time: “Simon, [son] of John, do you love 1108 me?” Peter responded: “Yes, Master, you are aware that I have affection 1109 for you!” Jesus said to him: “Continue to shepherd my little sheep!”

1108	Love: AGAPAS.

1109	Affection: PHILO.

JN21:17 Now, Jesus said for the third time, “Simon, [son] of John, do you have affection 1110 for me?” Peter was grieved because Jesus had said to him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” So, Peter answered: “Master, you know everything! You know that I have affection for you!” Jesus said to him: “Continue feeding my little sheep!

1110	Affection: Jesus now uses Peter’s word – PHILEIS.

JN21:18 I tell you [Peter] this truth: when you were younger you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted. 1111 However, when you grow older, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and he will carry you where you do not want to go.” 1112

1111	Went wherever you wanted: Peter has demonstrated that he is a self-determined person who reacts quickly according to his own “wants.” As in this latter case of returning to the fishing business, affecting also those “lambs” who followed him.

1112	He will carry you where you do not want to go: A situation in which the older Peter will have no control.

JN21:19 Jesus said this to indicate what type of death by which Peter would glorify The God. 1113 After having said this, Jesus told Peter: “Continue to follow me!” 1114

1113	What type of death by which Peter would glorify The God: Tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down in the year 66 AD.

1114	Continue to follow me: Exactly what he had told the disciples years before. [Matthew 16:24]

John 21:20-23 – What about John?

JN21:20 Now turning from Peter, Jesus looked at the disciple he preferred coming behind. (This is the one who leaned back against Jesus’ chest during the [Passover] supper, and asked, “Master, who is the one betraying you?”) JN21:21 So, having observed [this disciple], Peter asked Jesus: “Master, what of this one?” 1115

1115	What of this one: Or, KJV: what shall this man do. Referring to John’s destiny. Perhaps Peter wants to stop the questions and redirect interest to another?

JN21:22 Jesus told Peter: “If I want him to remain until I return, 1116 what is that to you? 1117 You continue to follow me!”

1116	If I want him to remain until I return: Or, come, arrive. Jesus alludes to his promised Parousia to gather his Church. [John 14:1-3; Matthew 24:30, 31; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17]

1117	What is that to you: Or, WEY: what concern is that of yours; PME: is that your business.

JN21:23 Because of this, the word went out among the brothers that this disciple would never die. 1118 But, Jesus had not said to him that he would not die, but rather, “If I want him to remain until I arrive, 1119 what is that to you.”

1118	That this disciple would never die: It is amazing what rumors will do. If Jesus and his disciples expected an imminent return of Christ, it is unlikely they would think John would never die.

1119

If I want him to remain until I arrive: John lived to be over 100 and many did think he would never die. He outlived all of the original disciples. In an interesting way, John did lie until he saw visions of the Lord’s return during his composition of the Book of Revelation. The language would seem to confirm the Gospel was written decades after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

John 21:24-25 – A Truthful Testimony

JN21:24 This is the [same] disciple testifying about these things 1120 – the same who has written these things. (And we realize that his testimony is true.) 1121

1120	This is the [same] disciple testifying about these things: Most understand this to mean John the apostle.

1121	We realize that his testimony is true: Suddenly the third person is introduced, suggesting the thought of John’s copyists or editors.

JN21:25 There are also many other things that Jesus did. If ever these were all written down, I suppose the world of humankind would not have the future space to contain the bibles written! 1122

1122

Would not have the future space to contain the bibles written: Another use of BIBLOS. The Gospel of John is the most published single book in the history of humankind, published over two thousand years in over two thousand languages. It remains today the greatest best-seller of all time, as it is often published by itself. No library in the world could contain all the books written about Jesus Christ.

Review Questions on Chapter Twenty-one