1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2 There 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.
3 Simon 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.
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
6 And 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.
7 Therefore 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.
8 And 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.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 Simon 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.
12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15 So 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.
16 He 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.
17 He 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.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest 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.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
20 Then 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?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23 Then 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?
24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And 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.
The 21st chapter of the book of John in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a profound one, filled with themes of faith, forgiveness, redemption, and ultimately, the manifestation of Christ's infinite love for humanity. It is a chapter that provides an intimate look into the post-resurrection interactions between Jesus Christ and His disciples, specifically focusing on the unique relationship between Jesus and the Apostle Peter. It is a chapter that offers hope, reconciliation, and a call to action for all believers.
The chapter begins with a depiction of the disciples fishing in the Sea of Tiberias. Despite their efforts, they are unable to catch any fish. The narrative then introduces Jesus, although the disciples do not immediately recognize Him. Jesus instructs them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and when they do, they are unable to haul in the net because of the large number of fish. This miracle is a powerful demonstration of Christ's dominion over nature, and it also symbolizes the abundant spiritual nourishment that He provides. It's a reaffirmation of the divine calling of the disciples, who were initially chosen to be 'fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19).
The disciple whom Jesus loved, commonly believed to be John, is the first to recognize Jesus, prompting Peter to impulsively plunge into the sea to reach Him. This scene is indicative of Peter's impulsive nature and his deep love for Christ. Upon reaching the shore, the disciples find that Jesus has already prepared a breakfast of fish and bread for them. This is another demonstration of Christ's nurturing and providing nature.
The second part of the chapter takes a more personal turn as it focuses on the interaction between Jesus and Peter. Prior to Christ's crucifixion, Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. Now, in a poignant scene of reconciliation and forgiveness, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, mirroring Peter's three denials. Each time Peter affirms his love for Jesus, Jesus instructs him to "feed His sheep" essentially entrusting Peter with the responsibility of leading and nurturing His followers. This threefold reinstatement serves as a form of redemption for Peter and confirms his role as a key leader in the early Christian church.
This exchange between Jesus and Peter is a powerful demonstration of Christ's unlimited forgiveness and His empowering love. It's a reminder to all believers that despite our failures and shortcomings, Christ's love remains steadfast, and He continues to call us to serve Him and His people.
The chapter concludes with Jesus prophesying the manner of Peter's death. Jesus indicates that Peter will die a martyr's death, signifying that Peter will glorify God through his death, just as Jesus did. This prophecy is a solemn reminder of the cost of discipleship and the sacrifices that believers may be called to make for their faith.
In the final verses, Jesus tells Peter, "Follow me" inviting him to walk the path of discipleship, irrespective of its cost. This invitation extends to all believers, calling us to a life of devotion, service, and, if necessary, sacrifice for the cause of Christ.
The 21st chapter of John serves as a fitting conclusion to the Gospel, encapsulating the central themes of faith, forgiveness, redemption, and divine love. The miraculous catch of fish reaffirms Christ's divine nature and His provision for His followers. The threefold reinstatement of Peter highlights the infinite depth of Christ's forgiveness and His empowering love. The prophecy of Peter's martyrdom underscores the cost of discipleship and the call to follow Christ, despite the challenges and sacrifices that may come our way.
Throughout this chapter, we see a profound portrayal of Christ's character - His compassion, His forgiveness, His nurturing nature, and His sacrificial love. These qualities serve as a model for all believers, encouraging us to strive to emulate Christ in our lives.
Moreover, the interactions between Jesus and His disciples provide valuable insights into the nature of our relationship with Christ. They underscore the importance of recognizing Christ's presence in our lives, the need for reconciliation and redemption, and the call to serve and nurture others in His name.
In conclusion, John Chapter 21 is a testament to Christ's unwavering love for humanity and His desire for us to live a life of faith, love, and service. It is a chapter that inspires hope, offers forgiveness, and calls us to a life of discipleship. As we reflect on this chapter, let us strive to recognize Christ's presence in our lives, seek His forgiveness, and answer His call to serve others in His name.
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