John 21:3

ἐνέβηαν for ἀνέβησαν. Omit εὐθύς after πλοῖον.

3. S. Peter, as so often, takes the lead: and again we have precise and vivid details, as from an eyewitness. In the interval of waiting for definite instructions the disciples support themselves by their old employment, probably at Capernaum or Bethsaida. Night was the best time for fishing (Luke 5:5); and the ἐκείνῃ may indicate that this failure was exceptional: or it may mean ‘in that memorable night’ (John 11:49; John 11:51; John 19:27; John 19:31; John 20:19).

ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. Failure at first is the common lot of Christ’s fishers. His Presence again causing success after failure might enforce the lesson that apart from Him they could do nothing (John 15:5). Πιάζειν occurs six times in this Gospel besides here, and also Revelation 19:20 : elsewhere only Acts 3:7; Acts 12:4; 2 Corinthians 11:32 [9]. The asyndeta, λέγει, λέγουσιν, ἐξῆλθον, are in S. John’s style [10]: John 18:34-36.