CHAPTER 21
. SUPPLEMENTARY
PARTICULARS.
(That this chapter was added by
another hand has been asserted, against clear evidence to the
contrary, by some late critics, chiefly because the Evangelist had
concluded his part of the work with John 20:30;
John 20:31. But neither in the
Epistles of the New Testament, nor in other good authors, is it
unusual to insert supplementary matter, and so have more than one
conclusion).
1, 2. Jesus showed himself
again—manifested himself again.
and on this wise he
manifested himself—This way of speaking shows that after His
resurrection He appeared to them but occasionally, unexpectedly,
and in a way quite unearthly, though yet really and
corporeally.
2. Nathanael—(See on ).
3-6. Peter saith unto them, I go a
fishing—(See on ).
that night . . . caught
nothing—as at the first miraculous draught (see on ); no doubt so ordered that the miracle might strike them the
more by contrast. The same principle is seen in operation throughout
much of Christ's ministry, and is indeed a great law of God's
spiritual procedure with His people.
4. Jesus stood—(Compare
John 20:19; John 20:26).
but the disciples knew not it
was Jesus—Perhaps there had been some considerable interval
since the last manifestation, and having agreed to betake themselves
to their secular employment, they would be unprepared to expect Him.
5. Children—This term would
not necessarily identify Him, being not unusual from any superior;
but when they did recognize Him, they would feel it sweetly like
Himself.
have ye any meat?—provisions,
supplies, meaning fish.
They answered . . . No—This
was in His wonted style, making them tell their case, and so
the better prepare them for what was coming.
6. he said unto them, Cast the net
on the right side of the ship—no doubt, by this very specific
direction, intending to reveal to them His knowledge of the deep and
power over it.
7-11. that disciple whom Jesus
loved, said, It is the Lord—again having the advantage of his
brother in quickness of recognition (see on ), to be followed by an alacrity in Peter all his own.
he was naked—his vest
only on, worn next the body.
cast himself into the sea—the
shallow part, not more than a hundred yards from the water's edge
(John 21:8), not meaning
therefore to swim, but to get sooner to Jesus than in the full boat
which they could hardly draw to shore.
8. the other disciples came in a
little ship—by ship.
9. they saw—"see."
a fire of coals, and fish
laid thereon, and bread—By comparing this with , and similar passages, the unseen agency by which Jesus made
this provision will appear evident.
10. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of
the fish ye have now caught—Observe the double supply thus
provided—His and theirs. The meaning of this will perhaps appear
presently.
11. Peter went up—into the
boat; went aboard.
and drew the net to land full
of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three; and for all there
were so many, yet was not the net broken—The manifest reference
here to the former miraculous draught () furnishes the key to this scene. There the draught was
symbolical of the success of their future ministry: While
"Peter and all that were with him were astonished at the draught
of the fishes which they had taken, Jesus said unto him, Fear not,
from henceforth thou shalt catch men." Nay, when first called,
in the act of "casting their net into the sea, for they were
fishers," the same symbolic reference was made to their
secular occupation: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of
men" (Matthew 4:18; Matthew 4:19).
Here, then, if but the same symbolic reference be kept in view, the
design of the whole scene will, we think, be clear. The multitude
and the size of the fishes they caught symbolically
foreshadowed the vast success of their now fast approaching ministry,
and this only as a beginning of successive draughts, through the
agency of a Christian ministry, till, "as the waters cover the
sea, the earth should be full of the knowledge of the Lord." And
whereas, at the first miraculous draught, the net "was breaking"
through the weight of what it contained—expressive of the
difficulty with which, after they had 'caught men,' they would be
able to retain, or keep them from escaping back into the world—while
here, "for all they were so many, yet was not the net broken,"
are we not reminded of such sayings as these (Matthew 4:19): "I give unto My sheep eternal life, and they shall
never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand"
[LUTHARDT]? But it is not
through the agency of a Christian ministry that all true disciples
are gathered. Jesus Himself, by unseen methods, gathers some, who
afterwards are recognized by the constituted fishers of men, and
mingle with the fruit of their labors. And are not these symbolized
by that portion of our Galilean repast which the fishers found, in
some unseen way, made ready to their hand?
12-14. none . . . durst ask him, Who
art thou, knowing it was the Lord—implying that they would
have liked Him just to say, "It is I"; but having such
convincing evidence they were afraid of being "upbraided
for their unbelief and hardness of heart" if they ventured to
put the question.
13. Jesus . . . taketh bread—the
bread.
and giveth them, and the
fish likewise—(See on ).
14. This is the third time that
Jesus showed himself—was manifested.
to his disciples—His
assembled disciples; for if we reckon His appearances to
individual disciples, they were more.
15-17. when they had dined, Jesus
saith—Silence appears to have reigned during the meal; unbroken
on His part, that by their mute observation of Him they might
have their assurance of His identity the more confirmed; and on
theirs, from reverential shrinking to speak till He did.
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me more than these?—referring lovingly to those sad words
of Peter, shortly before denying his Lord, "Though all men
shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be
offended" (Matthew 26:33), and
intending by this allusion to bring the whole scene vividly before
his mind and put him to shame.
Yea, Lord; thou knowest that
I love thee—He adds not, "more than these," but
prefixes a touching appeal to the Saviour's own omniscience for the
truth of his protestation, which makes it a totally different kind of
speech from his former.
He saith unto him, Feed my
lambs—It is surely wrong to view this term as a mere diminutive
of affection, and as meaning the same thing as "the sheep"
[WEBSTER and WILKINSON].
It is much more according to usage to understand by the "lambs,"
young and tender disciples, whether in age or Christian
standing (Isaiah 40:11; 1 John 2:12;
1 John 2:13), and by the "sheep"
the more mature. Shall we say (with many) that Peter was here
reinstated in office? Not exactly, since he was not actually excluded
from it. But after such conduct as his, the deep wound which the
honor of Christ had received, the stain brought on his office, the
damage done to his high standing among his brethren, and even his own
comfort, in prospect of the great work before him, required some such
renewal of his call and re-establishment of his position as this.
16. He saith to him . . . the second
time . . . lovest thou me, c.—In this repetition of the
question, though the wound was meant to be reopened, the words "more
than these" are not repeated for Christ is a tender
as well as skilful Physician, and Peter's silence on that
point was confession enough of his sin and folly. On Peter's
repeating his protestation in the same words, our Lord rises higher
in the manifestation of His restoring grace.
Feed—keep.
my sheep—It has been
observed that the word here is studiously changed, from one
signifying simply to feed, to one signifying to tend as
a shepherd, denoting the abiding exercise of that vocation,
and in its highest functions.
17. He saith unto him the third
time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because
he said the third time, c.—This was the
Physician's deepest incision into the wound, while yet smarting under
the two former probings. Not till now would Peter discern the object
of this succession of thrusts. The third time reveals it all,
bringing up such a rush of dreadful recollections before his view, of
his "thrice denying that he knew Him," that he feels
it to the quick. It was fitting that he should it was meant that he
should. But this accomplished, the painful dialogue concludes with a
delightful "Feed My sheep"; as if He should say, "Now,
Simon, the last speck of the cloud which overhung thee since that
night of nights is dispelled: Henceforth thou art to Me and to My
work as if no such scene had ever happened."
18, 19. When thou wast
young—embracing the whole period of life to the verge of old
age.
thou girdedst thyself, and
walkedst whither thou wouldest—wast thine own master.
when . . . old thou shalt
stretch forth thine hands—to be bound for execution, though not
necessarily meaning on a cross. There is no reason, however,
to doubt the very early tradition that Peter's death was by
crucifixion.
19. This spake he, signifying by
what death he should glorify God—not, therefore, a mere
prediction of the manner of his death, but of the honor
to be conferred upon him by dying for his Master. And, indeed, beyond
doubt, this prediction was intended to follow up his triple
restoration:—"Yes, Simon, thou shall not only feed My lambs,
and feed My sheep, but after a long career of such service, shalt be
counted worthy to die for the name of the Lord Jesus."
And when he had spoken this,
he saith unto him, Follow me—By thus connecting the utterance
of this prediction with the invitation to follow Him, the Evangelist
would indicate the deeper sense in which the call was understood, not
merely to go along with Him at that moment, but to come after Him,
"taking up his cross."
20, 21. Peter, turning about—showing
that he followed immediately as directed.
seeth the disciple whom Jesus
loved following; which also leaned on Jesus' breast at supper, and
said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?—The Evangelist
makes these allusions to the peculiar familiarity to which he had
been admitted on the most memorable of all occasions, perhaps
lovingly to account for Peter's somewhat forward question about him
to Jesus; which is the rather probable, as it was at Peter's
suggestion that he put the question about the traitor which he here
recalls (John 13:24; John 13:25).
21. Peter . . . saith to Jesus,
Lord, and what shall this man do?—What of this man? or, How
shall it fare with him?
22, 23. Jesus saith to him, If I
will that he tarry fill I come, what is that to thee? follow thou
me—From the fact that John alone of the Twelve survived the
destruction of Jerusalem, and so witnessed the commencement of that
series of events which belongs to "the last days," many
good interpreters think that this is a virtual prediction of fact,
and not a mere supposition. But this is very doubtful, and it seems
more natural to consider our Lord as intending to give no positive
indication of John's fate at all, but to signify that this was a
matter which belonged to the Master of both, who would disclose or
conceal it as He thought proper, and that Peter's part was to mind
his own affairs. Accordingly, in "follow thou Me," the word
"thou" is emphatic. Observe the absolute disposal of
human life which Christ claims: "If I will that he tarry
till I come," &c.
23. Then went this saying abroad
among the brethren, that that disciple should not die—into
which they the more easily fell from the prevalent expectation that
Christ's second coming was then near at hand.
yet Jesus said not unto him,
He shall not die—The Evangelist is jealous for His Master's
honor, which his death might be thought to compromise if such a
misunderstanding should not be corrected.
John 21:24;
John 21:25. FINAL
CLOSE OF THIS
GOSPEL.
24. This is the disciple which
testifieth of these things, and wrote these things—thus
identifying the author of this book with all that it says of this
disciple.
we know that his testimony is
true—(Compare John 19:35).
25. And there are many other things
which Jesus did—(Compare John 20:30;
John 20:31).
if . . . written every one, I
suppose—an expression used to show that what follows is not to
be pressed too far.
even the world itself would
not hold the books, &c.—not a mere hyperbolical
expression, unlike the sublime simplicity of this writer, but
intended to let his reader know that, even now that he had done, he
felt his materials so far from being exhausted, that he was still
running over, and could multiply "Gospels" to almost any
extent within the strict limits of what "Jesus did." But in
the limitation of these matchless histories, in point of
number, there is as much of that divine wisdom which has presided
over and pervades the living oracles, as in their variety and
fulness.
CHAPTER 21
. SUPPLEMENTARY PARTICULARS.
(That this chapter was added by another hand has been asserted, against clear evidence to the contrary, by some late critics, chiefly because the Evangelist had concluded his part of the work with John 20:30; John 20:31. But neither in the Epistles of the New Testament, nor in other good authors, is it unusual to insert supplementary matter, and so have more than one conclusion).
1, 2. Jesus showed himself again—manifested himself again.
and on this wise he manifested himself—This way of speaking shows that after His resurrection He appeared to them but occasionally, unexpectedly, and in a way quite unearthly, though yet really and corporeally.
2. Nathanael—(See on ).
3-6. Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing—(See on ).
that night . . . caught nothing—as at the first miraculous draught (see on ); no doubt so ordered that the miracle might strike them the more by contrast. The same principle is seen in operation throughout much of Christ's ministry, and is indeed a great law of God's spiritual procedure with His people.
4. Jesus stood—(Compare John 20:19; John 20:26).
but the disciples knew not it was Jesus—Perhaps there had been some considerable interval since the last manifestation, and having agreed to betake themselves to their secular employment, they would be unprepared to expect Him.
5. Children—This term would not necessarily identify Him, being not unusual from any superior; but when they did recognize Him, they would feel it sweetly like Himself.
have ye any meat?—provisions, supplies, meaning fish.
They answered . . . No—This was in His wonted style, making them tell their case, and so the better prepare them for what was coming.
6. he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship—no doubt, by this very specific direction, intending to reveal to them His knowledge of the deep and power over it.
7-11. that disciple whom Jesus loved, said, It is the Lord—again having the advantage of his brother in quickness of recognition (see on ), to be followed by an alacrity in Peter all his own.
he was naked—his vest only on, worn next the body.
cast himself into the sea—the shallow part, not more than a hundred yards from the water's edge (John 21:8), not meaning therefore to swim, but to get sooner to Jesus than in the full boat which they could hardly draw to shore.
8. the other disciples came in a little ship—by ship.
9. they saw—"see."
a fire of coals, and fish laid thereon, and bread—By comparing this with , and similar passages, the unseen agency by which Jesus made this provision will appear evident.
10. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish ye have now caught—Observe the double supply thus provided—His and theirs. The meaning of this will perhaps appear presently.
11. Peter went up—into the boat; went aboard.
and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three; and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken—The manifest reference here to the former miraculous draught () furnishes the key to this scene. There the draught was symbolical of the success of their future ministry: While "Peter and all that were with him were astonished at the draught of the fishes which they had taken, Jesus said unto him, Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men." Nay, when first called, in the act of "casting their net into the sea, for they were fishers," the same symbolic reference was made to their secular occupation: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:18; Matthew 4:19). Here, then, if but the same symbolic reference be kept in view, the design of the whole scene will, we think, be clear. The multitude and the size of the fishes they caught symbolically foreshadowed the vast success of their now fast approaching ministry, and this only as a beginning of successive draughts, through the agency of a Christian ministry, till, "as the waters cover the sea, the earth should be full of the knowledge of the Lord." And whereas, at the first miraculous draught, the net "was breaking" through the weight of what it contained—expressive of the difficulty with which, after they had 'caught men,' they would be able to retain, or keep them from escaping back into the world—while here, "for all they were so many, yet was not the net broken," are we not reminded of such sayings as these (Matthew 4:19): "I give unto My sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand" [LUTHARDT]? But it is not through the agency of a Christian ministry that all true disciples are gathered. Jesus Himself, by unseen methods, gathers some, who afterwards are recognized by the constituted fishers of men, and mingle with the fruit of their labors. And are not these symbolized by that portion of our Galilean repast which the fishers found, in some unseen way, made ready to their hand?
12-14. none . . . durst ask him, Who art thou, knowing it was the Lord—implying that they would have liked Him just to say, "It is I"; but having such convincing evidence they were afraid of being "upbraided for their unbelief and hardness of heart" if they ventured to put the question.
13. Jesus . . . taketh bread—the bread.
and giveth them, and the fish likewise—(See on ).
14. This is the third time that Jesus showed himself—was manifested.
to his disciples—His assembled disciples; for if we reckon His appearances to individual disciples, they were more.
15-17. when they had dined, Jesus saith—Silence appears to have reigned during the meal; unbroken on His part, that by their mute observation of Him they might have their assurance of His identity the more confirmed; and on theirs, from reverential shrinking to speak till He did.
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?—referring lovingly to those sad words of Peter, shortly before denying his Lord, "Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended" (Matthew 26:33), and intending by this allusion to bring the whole scene vividly before his mind and put him to shame.
Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee—He adds not, "more than these," but prefixes a touching appeal to the Saviour's own omniscience for the truth of his protestation, which makes it a totally different kind of speech from his former.
He saith unto him, Feed my lambs—It is surely wrong to view this term as a mere diminutive of affection, and as meaning the same thing as "the sheep" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON]. It is much more according to usage to understand by the "lambs," young and tender disciples, whether in age or Christian standing (Isaiah 40:11; 1 John 2:12; 1 John 2:13), and by the "sheep" the more mature. Shall we say (with many) that Peter was here reinstated in office? Not exactly, since he was not actually excluded from it. But after such conduct as his, the deep wound which the honor of Christ had received, the stain brought on his office, the damage done to his high standing among his brethren, and even his own comfort, in prospect of the great work before him, required some such renewal of his call and re-establishment of his position as this.
16. He saith to him . . . the second time . . . lovest thou me, c.—In this repetition of the question, though the wound was meant to be reopened, the words "more than these" are not repeated for Christ is a tender as well as skilful Physician, and Peter's silence on that point was confession enough of his sin and folly. On Peter's repeating his protestation in the same words, our Lord rises higher in the manifestation of His restoring grace.
Feed—keep.
my sheep—It has been observed that the word here is studiously changed, from one signifying simply to feed, to one signifying to tend as a shepherd, denoting the abiding exercise of that vocation, and in its highest functions.
17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said the third time, c.—This was the Physician's deepest incision into the wound, while yet smarting under the two former probings. Not till now would Peter discern the object of this succession of thrusts. The third time reveals it all, bringing up such a rush of dreadful recollections before his view, of his "thrice denying that he knew Him," that he feels it to the quick. It was fitting that he should it was meant that he should. But this accomplished, the painful dialogue concludes with a delightful "Feed My sheep"; as if He should say, "Now, Simon, the last speck of the cloud which overhung thee since that night of nights is dispelled: Henceforth thou art to Me and to My work as if no such scene had ever happened."
18, 19. When thou wast young—embracing the whole period of life to the verge of old age.
thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest—wast thine own master.
when . . . old thou shalt stretch forth thine hands—to be bound for execution, though not necessarily meaning on a cross. There is no reason, however, to doubt the very early tradition that Peter's death was by crucifixion.
19. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God—not, therefore, a mere prediction of the manner of his death, but of the honor to be conferred upon him by dying for his Master. And, indeed, beyond doubt, this prediction was intended to follow up his triple restoration:—"Yes, Simon, thou shall not only feed My lambs, and feed My sheep, but after a long career of such service, shalt be counted worthy to die for the name of the Lord Jesus."
And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me—By thus connecting the utterance of this prediction with the invitation to follow Him, the Evangelist would indicate the deeper sense in which the call was understood, not merely to go along with Him at that moment, but to come after Him, "taking up his cross."
20, 21. Peter, turning about—showing that he followed immediately as directed.
seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on Jesus' breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?—The Evangelist makes these allusions to the peculiar familiarity to which he had been admitted on the most memorable of all occasions, perhaps lovingly to account for Peter's somewhat forward question about him to Jesus; which is the rather probable, as it was at Peter's suggestion that he put the question about the traitor which he here recalls (John 13:24; John 13:25).
21. Peter . . . saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?—What of this man? or, How shall it fare with him?
22, 23. Jesus saith to him, If I will that he tarry fill I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me—From the fact that John alone of the Twelve survived the destruction of Jerusalem, and so witnessed the commencement of that series of events which belongs to "the last days," many good interpreters think that this is a virtual prediction of fact, and not a mere supposition. But this is very doubtful, and it seems more natural to consider our Lord as intending to give no positive indication of John's fate at all, but to signify that this was a matter which belonged to the Master of both, who would disclose or conceal it as He thought proper, and that Peter's part was to mind his own affairs. Accordingly, in "follow thou Me," the word "thou" is emphatic. Observe the absolute disposal of human life which Christ claims: "If I will that he tarry till I come," &c.
23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die—into which they the more easily fell from the prevalent expectation that Christ's second coming was then near at hand.
yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die—The Evangelist is jealous for His Master's honor, which his death might be thought to compromise if such a misunderstanding should not be corrected.
John 21:24; John 21:25. FINAL CLOSE OF THIS GOSPEL.
24. This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things—thus identifying the author of this book with all that it says of this disciple.
we know that his testimony is true—(Compare John 19:35).
25. And there are many other things which Jesus did—(Compare John 20:30; John 20:31).
if . . . written every one, I suppose—an expression used to show that what follows is not to be pressed too far.
even the world itself would not hold the books, &c.—not a mere hyperbolical expression, unlike the sublime simplicity of this writer, but intended to let his reader know that, even now that he had done, he felt his materials so far from being exhausted, that he was still running over, and could multiply "Gospels" to almost any extent within the strict limits of what "Jesus did." But in the limitation of these matchless histories, in point of number, there is as much of that divine wisdom which has presided over and pervades the living oracles, as in their variety and fulness.