John 21:5

παιδία. Perhaps a mere term of friendly address, like our ‘young people’ (1 John 2:14; 1 John 2:18); less affectionate than τεκνία (John 13:33; 1 John 2:1; 1 John 2:12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:21), which implies the filial relationship. Thus Jesus addressed the Magdalene as Γύναι before He called her by name (John 20:15-16). Προσφάγιον occurs here only: it seems to mean anything eaten with bread, especially fish: comp. ὄψον, ὀψάριον (John 6:9). Possibly it means no more than ‘something to eat:’ but it may also mean ‘fish;’ and ἔχειν in fishing and fowling is used in the sense of ‘to catch.’ Perhaps we should translate Have ye taken any fish? This agrees with the context better than enquiries about food. A negative answer is anticipated: comp. John 4:29; John 7:31; John 8:22; John 18:35.