John 21:1 "After these things Jesus shewed Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed He Himself."

Jesus Christ has risen from the grave, and has met several times with His disciples behind closed doors to present Himself to them. This appearance is now at a later time, not in the secrecy of a closed room, but out on the sea shore of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.

John 21:2 "There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of His disciples."

There were seven of the followers of Christ gathered together, and they were back doing there profession before Jesus called them some three years prior, they were fishing. This points out that we should have a way to sustain ourselves, and our families, even when doing the Lord's work. They were not fishing for the joy of it, but by necessity.

Editor's Note: And they were not inviting people to join them in sing songs of praise and then passing around a felt lined plate to support themselves. Oh, and don't forget "The Building Fund"!

John 21:3 "Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing." They say unto him "We also go with thee." They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing."

Peter was a commercial fisherman before following Christ, and when Peter announced that he was going fishing, the others went along to help. This is a common feeling to fish for hours, and into the night and come up with no fish. That is what happened here.

Jesus is about to teach His followers a lesson from this fishing experience, for without Christ our fishing for men will also bring us nothing. Many think that as new Christians they can do much in themselves, but it is only by God's help that minds can be open, and men and women can be saved.

John 21:4 "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus."

Jesus was there on the shore, and far enough away that they could not identify who He was. When we set out on our fishing trips for men, this is an important lesson that we should not leave Jesus behind, if we desire to be successful. When you go sailing in your spiritual boat, make sure you have Jesus right in the center of that boat, and don't ever leave Him on shore.

John 21:5 "Then Jesus saith unto them, "Children, have ye any meat:" They answered Him, "No."

While they were out on the lake, Jesus hollered to them from the shore, Have you caught any fish? They hollered back, "No." They hadn't even caught one fish, they were skunked. By using the word "Children", Jesus shows a kinship to the disciples.

John 21:6 "And He said unto them, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."

Their nets were so full that they couldn't pull it out of the water. They did what Christ had said, and followed His instruction, and there was an abundance of fish. When we teach and plant the seeds of truth of the gospel following as He has instructed us to do, many will hear, and come to know our Lord Jesus Christ. Let God's Word speak as it was intended, chapter by chapter and verse by verse, and when you do it prayerfully there is nothing that can stop you. We must first humble ourselves to where we know that it is not us, but the Spirit of God that will do the saving work. It is the Holy Spirit convicting each of us with the wisdom of Almighty God. That is right, we fish from the right side always, in all that we do.

John 21:7 "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, "It is the Lord." Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea."

It is John, the writer of this book that spoke out when he recognized the Lord. Peter was naked from the waist up, and he girded himself so that he could swim to shore. When Peter knew that it was Jesus on shore, he never waited for the catch to be brought in, Peter just wanted to be with Jesus.

Just a note on the matter; the reason that the fish is symbolic of the word Jesus, fish as it is used here is "ichthus", # 2486 in Strong's Greek Dictionary, "the little fish that swim in the sea." Jesus used it in this test not in the term fish, but He asked if they had breakfast.

The way the fish came to be used in the early church as a symbol is that when you take the words, "Jesus Christ Son of God Savior" and take the first letter of each word in the Greek tongue, it spells "fish". When you use the sign of the fish, it has come to mean that you are a Christian and believe in Jesus Christ. It means that you know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He is your Savior.

John 21:8 "And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes."

They are a little over one hundred yards off shore, and they are heading for the shore, dragging those fish right along with them.

John 21:9 "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."

Notice that when the boat finally got to shore, even though the net had not been opened yet, there was fish on the coals of fire, and bread along side. At the sight of Jesus, the fishermen sort of forgot the fish in the net, because the Lord had already prepared the fish and breakfast for them. Jesus is showing these followers of His that He will provide for you, if you will fish for men, His way.

John 21:10 "Jesus saith unto them, "Bring of the fish which ye have now caught."

Though they fished all night and caught nothing, now that they did have a catch they forgot to bring in their catch of fish. Jesus told them to finish the job, and bring in your catch. Why were they successful? Jesus told them to fish from the right side of the boat, reminding us that He will be there on the right hand of the Father when we are fishing for men.

No matter what we do, we are to be on the right side of the boat, even in politics and running a business; for the left side is communism and socialism, and God will not bless you unless you do things His way.

John 21:11 "Simon Peter went up, 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."

When you are fishing with Christ, the net will always hold your catch. All people of all races have a place in Christ net, if they will just repent and believe on His name. There is no limit. In biblical numerics 153 means "fruit bearing". "Fruit bearing" means "blessings of God".

John 21:12 "Jesus saith unto them, "Come and dine." And none of the disciples durst ask Him, "Who art Thou?" knowing that it was the Lord."

When the men reached shore and saw that the breakfast was all ready, they didn't have to ask who prepared the meal, for they all knew that it was Jesus.

John 21:13 "Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise."

Remember back in the wilderness, Christ told the disciples to do the serving, however here it is Jesus that did the serving of the bread and the fish. You don't need to feel guilty if God blesses you, when you live and do things God's way. When you stay in His word, and strive to follow the teachings and stay in the will of God, then those blessings are to be enjoyed by you.

However if your riches are by ill-gotten gains, then it is time to unload your camel, so you can get through the eye of the gate. Those gains will not be a blessing to you now or in the Millennium age. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 19:24? "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." You unload that camel by repenting in Jesus name, and making things right, and turning from all evil ways.

John 21:14 "This is now the third time that Jesus shewed Himself to His disciples, after that He was risen from the dead."

John 21:15 "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?" He saith unto Him, "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." He saith unto him, "Feed My lambs".

Notice here that Jesus called Peter, Simon, son of Jonas. That is what Jesus called Peter way back before the crucifixion, before Peter denied Jesus three times. The point here is that you had better love Jesus better then anyone else. Peter's conscience is starting to bother him, He denied Jesus, but it did not mean that he didn't love Him.

After Peter told Jesus of his love for Him, Jesus said, "feed my babies". The lambs are baby sheep new converts in the ways of the Lord. We all know that a baby doesn't eat the same food as an adult animal. The Lord was thinking about the little ones first. Feed them and be gentle and loving to them in your instruction.

John 21:16 "He saith to him again the second time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" He saith unto Him, "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." He saith unto him, "Feed My sheep."

Jesus is giving the order here for Peter to feed the adults in Christ on a little higher level of teaching then you feed the children, the baby lambs. Adults need the meat of the word, milk is just not enough to sustain them.

John 21:17 "He saith unto him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou Me?" And he said unto Him, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus saith unto him, "Feed My sheep."

This is the third time that Jesus asked Peter to repeat his love for Him. Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of the trial, before the crucifixion, and now he has committed his love for Jesus three times. Each time Jesus has told Peter to teach his sheep, and the lesson to Peter is to teach on all three levels, starting with the His Lambs, on a simple level of understanding. Demonstrate in your instruction and love for Jesus sheep by showing the love and understanding that our Heavenly Father has for all of His sheep.

You teach on the level that the person is able to understand. A sixth grader may be able to understand the third level, whereas an adult may be on the simple level of a child in understanding Scripture. You teach where the one listening is able to understand, and be gentle with the lambs, patient and in understanding.

If you notice in the Strong's Greek dictionary that the word "Lovest" changes, and gets stronger each time that Jesus asked it of Peter, and Peter's response is just as strong in response to the Lord. Then Peter told Jesus, "you know that I love you, Lord, Thou knowest all things."

John 21:18 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not ."

Jesus is telling Peter that when he is young you will be able to teach and get around real good, but when you are old, they are going to hang you to a cross, just like they hung Me.

John 21:19 "This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He saith unto him, "Follow Me."

Jesus had just told Peter that He would work him all his life, and in the end Peter would hang on a cross just like Jesus did, and then Jesus made the statement, "Follow Me!" There was no choice given to Peter, for Peter was one of God's Elect. Peter was a chosen vessel of God.

John 21:20 "Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on His breast at supper, and said, "Lord, which is he that betrayeth Thee?"

John is now coming to the table to eat. He was the other disciple that leaned on Jesus the night of the last supper, and Peter turned to Jesus and asked Jesus, What about John, what will John do here? This is a fault that many of Christ's have, they always want to know about the next guy, and use someone else to do a little comparison with themselves.

John 21:21 "Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, "Lord, and what shall this man do?"

Peter wanted to know exactly what would happen to the rest of the disciples, including John. Jesus response is in the next verse; "If I want John to live until the second advent, until I come again, what is that to you?"

John 21:22 "Jesus saith unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me."

Jesus is saying that it is none of your business what I have in store for John, You just do what I have commanded you to do. Are you getting the point? What the ministry and duties are for one Christian is of no concern of anyone else. The Spirit will lead you in the walk He has for you, and you are to tend to it.

This is the whole thing in a nut shell, when you try to duplicate some other man's ministry or spiritual experience, you will be lost in it. This irritated Jesus to no end. It is good for us to pay attention to our own spiritual life, and not be meddlesome in others spiritual progression. Jesus is talking to Peter, and He taught Peter all night that you do things My way or you will lose, and this is a lesson on tending to your own business.

John 21:23 "Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, "He shall not die;" but If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?"

Jesus is saying this whole thing is going to be done My way, and the news of Jesus example spread fast. There were seven of Jesus followers present at that camp fire on the beach, and I'm sure that the news could spread fast amongst these Christians. It sure does today. There are a lot of people out there today trying to save the world, and most of them are getting nothing done at all. Most of the ministries today are trying to do it all their own way, or copy some other Christians personal spiritual gift, instead of using their own gifts that God has given them.

We must all remember that it is none of our business what John does, for as we all know today; Jesus had a very special mission for John, in that he is the man that wrote down the book of Revelation at the end of his life. He gave us a direct understanding of the end of this earth age. John wrote directly to you and me in these latter days, and it is important that we read and understand that message that Jesus gave to John in those vision.

John 21:24 "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true."

John 21:25 "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written, Amen."

In the Book of John, Jesus is presented to us as the very Son of God, and the entire book is to instruct each of us of our duties and commitments as sons (daughters) of God. Our seed planting and teaching others should be done in Jesus Christ's way, as He taught and as His Spirit leads us in our lives and service for Him.

The Book of John was written to show us the deity of Jesus Christ. He is the promised Messiah that was prophesied from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:15. John starts His Gospel leaving no doubt that "Jesus and the Father are one", and Jesus is the very Word of God from the beginning. He was the creator, and is one with the Father, for Jesus Himself stated, "I and My Father are one." [John 10:30] Jesus also stated, "When you have seen Me you have seen the Father."

Jesus made it very clear that the purpose of His coming to this earth was to fulfill prophecy from the Word that was given by God. Jesus was on a mission to go to the cross to pay the price for sin, once and for all times. In fulfilling that mission, all mankind now has the right to seek eternal life, and there is only one way that this could be done. That way is through your repentance, in Jesus name, and believing on Jesus Christ, that He is truly the Son of God.

Without a man's repentance, he is lost and without hope, but the instant He repents of his sins in Jesus name, the Holy Spirit of God enters into his soul, and he [his soul] becomes a new man. Jesus points out that He will not interfere with your plans, for you have to make that choice, that is what free will is all about. However there are many that are of the elect, chosen from before the foundation of this earth age to fulfill a purpose in God's plan.

One other note to remember; when you look at each of the miracles that Jesus did, we saw that there was a definite purpose to each of His miracles. The changing of water to wine, the breaking of the bread in the feeding of the thousands, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead was to defy the traditions of the Kenite religious leaders of that day.

From the time Jesus ministry started, Satan was at His heels in the wilderness with many temptations. The Kenite religious leaders plotted Jesus death from the very start because Jesus defied their traditions that made a lie of the Word of God. They sought to kill Him, and they succeeded, because what they meant for evil, was all part of God's plan, and our victory of eternal life through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

My fellow Christian, it doesn't matter what sins you have committed, there is forgiveness by God when you repent of those sins in Jesus name, and believe on Jesus Christ. Just talk to Him like you would talk to a close friend, for He is your friend, the best friend that you will ever have. He loves you, and offers you eternal life for your soul. That is a gift that no one can take from you, and with it He gives peace of mind.

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: Now that we've completed this 2015 study of the  "BOOK OF JOHN chapter 21" we have placed a earlier 2002 John chapter 21 study to follow for your comparison. I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the gospel of John

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