THE SEA OF TIBERIAS - Called also the Sea of Galilee, being situated in Galilee. See the notes at Matthew 4:18. In this place Jesus had promised to meet them, Mark 14:28; Mark 16:7; Matthew 26:32; Matthew 28:10. This interview of Jesus is but just mentioned by Matthew Matthew 28:16, and is omitted b... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE TOGETHER - Probably residing in the same place. While they were waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit, they still found it proper to be usefully employed. Their Master had been taken away by death, and the promised Spirit had not descended on them. In the interval - before the promis... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT NIGHT THEY CAUGHT NOTHING - This was so ordered in the providence of God that the miracle which was performed might appear more remarkable.... [ Continue Reading ]
KNEW NOT THAT IT WAS JESUS - Probably it was yet twilight, and in the distance they could not distinctly recognize him.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN - A term of affection and friendship, 1 John 2:18. ANY MEAT - This word (Greek) means anything eaten with bread. It was used by the Greeks especially to denote fish (Schleusner).... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE RIGHT SIDE - Why the right side is mentioned is not known. Grotius supposes that it was the side nearest the shore, where there was less probability of taking fish. It does not appear that they yet recognized the Lord Jesus, but from some cause they had sufficient confidence in him to make an... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THAT DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED - John, John 13:23. IT IS THE LORD - He was convinced, perhaps, by the apparent miracle, and by looking more attentively on the person of one who had been the means of such unexpected and remarkable success. HIS FISHER’S COAT - His upper or outer garment or... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO HUNDRED CUBITS - About 350 feet, or a little more than 20 rods.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SAW A FIRE ... - We have no knowledge whence this was produced - whether it was, as Grotius supposes, by a miracle, or whether it was a place occupied by other fishermen, where they also might cook the fish which they had caught. As no miracle is mentioned, however, there is no reason for suppo... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HUNDRED AND FIFTY AND THREE - The number is mentioned because it seems to have been a very unusual draught, and it was particularly gratifying and striking to them after they had spent the whole night and had caught nothing. This convinced them that it was no other than the same Saviour who had s... [ Continue Reading ]
COME AND DINE - The word in the original means the meal which is taken in the morning, or breakfast.... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS THEN COMETH, AND TAKETH BREAD ... - It is not said that Jesus himself ate with them, but he gave them food. The design of this interview seems to have been to convince them that he had truly risen from the dead. Hence, he performed a miracle before they suspected that it was he, that there mig... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD TIME - See the “Harmony of the Accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus.”... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE? - There is a slight ambiguity here in the original, as there is in our translation. The word these may be in the neuter gender, and refer to these things his boat, his fishing utensils, and his employments; or it may be in the masculine, and refer to the apostles. In... [ Continue Reading ]
FEED MY SHEEP - The word here rendered “feed,” as has been remarked, is different from the word in the previous verse. It has the sense of governing, caring for, guiding, protecting - the kind of faithful vigilance which a shepherd uses to guide his flock, and to make provision against their wants a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD TIME - It is probable that Jesus proposed this question three times because Peter had thrice denied him. Thus he tenderly admonished him of his fault and reminded him of his sin, while he solemnly charged him to be faithful and vigilant in the discharge of the duties of the pastoral office... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU WAST YOUNG - When in early life thou didst gird thyself, etc. The Jews, in walking or running, girded their outer garments around them, that they might not be impeded. See the notes at Matthew 5:38. THOU GIRDEDST - The expression here denotes freedom. He did as he pleased - he girded hims... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WHAT DEATH ... - In these words two things are implied: 1.That Peter would die a violent death; and, 2.That his death would be such as to honor God. The ancients say that Peter was crucified at Rome, about 34 years after this, with his head downward. Clemens says that he was led to the crucifi... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH ALSO LEANED ... - See John 13:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL THIS MAN DO? - This question probably means, “What death shall he die?” But it is impossible to ascertain certainly why Peter asked this question. John was a favorite disciple, and perhaps Peter suspected that he would have a happier lot, and not be put to death in this manner. Peter was... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE TARRY - That he live. The same word is used to express life in Phi 1:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:6. TILL I COME - Some have supposed this to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem; others to the day of judgment; others to signify that he would not die a violent death; but the plain meaning is, “I... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WENT THIS SAYING ... - This mistake arose very naturally: * From the words of Jesus, which might be easily misunderstood to mean that he should not die; and, * It was probably confirmed when it was seen that John survived all the other apostles, had escaped all the dangers of persecution, a... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE DISCIPLE ... - This proves that the beloved disciple was John. WE KNOW - That is, it is known; it is universally admitted. It was so decidedly his character that he always declared the truth, that it had become known and was unquestioned, so that he himself might appeal to the universal... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY OTHER THINGS - Many miracles, John 20:30. Many discourses delivered, etc. I SUPPOSE ... - This is evidently the figure of speech called a hyperbole. It is a mode of speech where the words express more or less than is literally true. It is common among all writers; and as the sacred writers, in... [ Continue Reading ]