The In-Dept Study of the Bible
John 21
1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself
again to the disciples at the sea of
Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.
2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,†
Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons
of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples
were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going
fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with
you.” They immediately went out and
entered into the boat. That night,
they caught nothing.
4 But when day had already come, Jesus
stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t
know that it was Jesus.
5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children,
have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”
6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the
right side of the boat, and you will find
some.” They cast it therefore, and now they
weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude
of fish.
7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus
loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”
So when Simon Peter heard that it was
the Lord, he wrapped his coat around
himself (for he was naked), and threw himself
into the sea.
8 But the other disciples came in the
little boat (for they were not far from
the land, but about two hundred cubits‡
away), dragging the net full of fish.
9 So when they got out on the land, they
saw a fire of coals there, with fish and
bread laid on it.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the
fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the
net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three
great fish. Even though there were so
many, the net wasn’t torn.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat
breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of
him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Then Jesus came and took the bread,
gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus
was revealed to his disciples after he had
risen from the dead.
15 So when they had eaten their breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son
of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that
I have affection for you.” He said to him,
“Feed my lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time,
“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that
I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon,
son of Jonah, do you have affection for
me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him
the third time, “Do you have affection for
me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know
everything. You know that I have affection
for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
18 Most certainly I tell you, when you
were young, you dressed yourself and
walked where you wanted to. But when
you are old, you will stretch out your
hands, and another will dress you and
carry you where you don’t want to go.”
19 Now he said this, signifying by what
kind of death he would glorify God. When
he had said this, he said to him, “Follow
me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a
disciple following. This was the disciple
whom Jesus loved, the one who had also
leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and
asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord,
what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he
stay until I come, what is that to you? You
follow me.”
23 This saying therefore went out among
the brothers§ that this disciple wouldn’t
die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he
wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay
until I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies about
these things, and wrote these things. We
know that his witness is true.
25 There are also many other things
which Jesus did, which if they would all
be written, I suppose that even the world
itself wouldn’t have room for the books
that would be written.