CHAPTER 21. _ Supplementary chapter in which Jesus again manifests Himself after the resurrection_. [There is no reason why this chapter should be ascribed to a different hand. The style is the same as that of the gospel, and although the gospel closed at the end of chap. 20, this supplementary cha... [ Continue Reading ]
Μετὰ ταῦτα, John's usual indefinite note of time, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν, _cf._ John 7:4; John 13:4; Mark 16:12; πάλιν, over and above the manifestations in Jerusalem, at the Sea of Tiberias; see John 6:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἧσαν ὁμοῦ, seven of the disciples had kept together, Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, further designated as ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, not to remind us of the miracles wrought there (Reynolds), nor “without any special design” (Meyer), but to emphasise the ὁμοῦ by showing that even though not belongin... [ Continue Reading ]
As the disciples stand together and see boat after boat put off, Simon Peter can stand it no longer but suddenly exclaims, Ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν, “I am off to fish”. This is a relief to all and finds a ready response, Ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί, At once they embark, and as we watch that boat's crew putting... [ Continue Reading ]
πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης, “but early morning having now arrived,” _i.e._, when all hope of catching fish was past, ἔστη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς [or ἐπὶ] τὸν αἰγιαλόν, “Jesus stood upon the beach”; for ἔστη, _cf._ John 20:19; John 20:26. It seems to indicate the suddenness of the appearance, οὐ μέντοι … ἐστί, “t... [ Continue Reading ]
λέγει οὖν … ἔχετε; The οὖν is not merely continuative, but indicates that what Jesus said was in some respect prompted by their ignorance of His identity. This is neglected by Lücke when he says that παιδία is not Johannine, and that τεκνία is the regular term used by Jesus in addressing the discipl... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν … καὶ εὑρήσετε. “Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find.” They supposed the stranger had been making observations from the shore, had seen a shoal or some sign of fish, and unwilling to come in empty, ἔβαλον οὖν … ἰχθύων. “They cast therefore, and were no longer (a... [ Continue Reading ]
This sudden change of fortune John at once traced to its only possible source, Ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. “Vita quieta citius observat res divinas quam activa.” Bengel. Σίμων οὖν … θάλασσαν. The different temperaments of the two Apostles as here exhibited have constantly been remarked upon; as by Euthymius, “Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
The rest came in the little boat, οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν … ἰχθύων. Bengel correctly explains the γάρ, “Celeriter hi quoque venire poterant”. They were not far from the land, ἀλλʼ ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων, “about one hundred yards”. πηχῶν, says Phrynichus, is δεινῶς ἀνάττικον; we must use the form πηχέων. Observe... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὡς οὖν … ἄρτον. “When, then, they got out upon the land, they see a fire (or heap) of coals laid and fish laid thereon, and bread”; or, possibly, “a fish” and “a loaf,” but see John 21:13. For ἀνθρακιά, see John 18:18. The disciples were evidently surprised at this preparation.... [ Continue Reading ]
But miracle is not gratuitously wrought; indeed, Weiss maintains there is neither miracle nor the appearance of one in this preparation. Accordingly Jesus says, Ἐνέγκατε … νῦν. And in compliance ἀνέβη … δίκτυον. “Simon Peter went on board and drew the net on shore full of large fishes, 153, and thou... [ Continue Reading ]
λέγει … ἀριστήσατε, Jesus takes the place of host and says, “Come, breakfast,” make your morning meal. οὐδεὶς … Κύριός ἐστιν, not one of the disciples ventured to interrogate Him; ἐξετάσαι is “to examine by questioning”. Each man felt convinced it was the Lord, and a new reverence prevented them fro... [ Continue Reading ]
When they had gathered round the fire, ἔρχεται … ὁμοίως. “Jesus approaches and takes the bread and gives to them, and the fish” (used here collectively) “in like manner.” Evidently there was something solemn and significant in His manner, indicating that they were to consider Him as the Person who s... [ Continue Reading ]
A note is added, perhaps indicating no more than John's orderliness of mind, explaining that this was the third manifestation given by Jesus to His disciples after rising from the dead. For the form of expression, τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον, see 2 Corinthians 13:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὅτε οὖν ἠρίστησαν, “when, then, they had broken their fast,” a note of time essential to the conversation following. Peter had manifested the most ardent affection, by abandoning on the instant the net of fish for which he had been toiling all night, and by springing into the sea to greet his Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus evokes from Peter a confession of love, and commissions him as shepherd, of His sheep_.... [ Continue Reading ]
To this confession, the Lord responds, Βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου, “Feed my lambs,” showing that Jesus could again trust him and could leave in his hands those whom He loved. “Lambs” is used instead of “sheep” to bring out more strongly the appeal to care, and the consequent complete confidence shown in Pet... [ Continue Reading ]
But to him who had uttered a threefold denial, opportunity is given of a threefold confession, although Peter at first resented the reiterated inquiry: Ἐλυπήθη … He was grieved because doubt was implied, and he knew he had given cause for doubt. His reply is therefore more earnest than before, Κύριε... [ Continue Reading ]
To this command our Lord unexpectedly adds a reflection and warning emphasised by the usual ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι. It had been with a touch of pity Jesus had seen the impulsive, self-willed Peter gird his coat round him and plunge into the sea. It suggested to Him the severe trials by which this love m... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἐπιστραφεὶς … σε. Peter had already followed Jesus some distance, but hearing steps behind him he turns and sees John following. The elaborate description of John in this verse is, perhaps almost unconsciously, introduced to justify his following without invitation. On the word ἀνέπεσεν, see Origen,... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter, however, seeks an explanation, Κύριε … τί; “Lord, and this man, what of him?”... [ Continue Reading ]
To which Jesus replies with a shade of rebuke, Ἐὰν … μοι. Peter, in seeking even to know the future of another disciple, was stepping beyond his province, τί πρός σε; σύ ἀκολούθει μοι. Your business is to follow me, not to intermeddle with others. _Cf._ A Kempis' description of the man who “neglects... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἐξῆλθεν … πρός σε; “There went forth this saying among the brethren, that that disciple should not die”. John himself, however, has no such belief, because he remembers with exactness the hypothetical form of the Lord's words, Ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν … Another instance of the precision with which John... [ Continue Reading ]