John 21.1-25 tells us about how Yeshua showed himself again and performs a miracle concerning a catch of fish; Yeshua’s restoration of Peter after his denials and his prophecy about the death of Peter; a question concerning the fate of John; John’s final statements and how even the world itself could not contain all the books that could be written about all the things Yeshua did.
v 1… After these things (Yeshua’s resurrection and his appearances) Yeshua manifested himself again to the talmudim at the Sea of Tiberius (the Sea of Galilee) and he manifested in this way (like the manna was manifested in the wilderness, so Yeshua “appears”).
v 2… There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his talmidim (possibly Andrew and Phillip who were from there-John 1.44-equaling seven=a complete number).
v 3… Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing (which was his profession. Since Yeshua has not given them something to do yet, he wanted to go back to work).” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out, and got into the boat (that was one of their own or rented); and that night caught nothing (this is symbolic of fishing for men in your own power and not being sent).
v 4… But when the day was now breaking (the “sun of righteousness” is rising), Yeshua stood on the beach; yet the talmidim did not know that it was Yeshua (probably still too dark),
v 5… Yeshua therefore said to them, “Children (or “lads”), you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered him, “No.”
v 6… And he said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat (preach the word where I tell you), and you will find a catch (be successful because that is where the elect are. The “right-hand side” is the side of mercy-Matt 25.34).” They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
v 7… That talmid therefore whom Yeshua loved (literally “was loving” being John) said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” And so when Simon Peter heard (his name “Simon” means “to hear”) that it was the Lord, put his outer garment on (used to soak up sweat), for he was stripped for work (half-dressed and not at all indecent, but being in the company of other men it was normal), and threw himself into the sea.
v 8… But the other talmidim came in the little boat (what they were fishing in), for they were not far from land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net of fish.
v 9…And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire there, and fish placed on it, and bread (speaks of the provision the Lord has for the believer).
v 10… Yeshua said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught (adding more fish to the ones already gathered).”
v 11… Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to the land (the elect will be brought safe to “shore”), full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three (the gematria or numerical value for “Ha Pesach” or “the Passover”, “I am the Lord thy God”; “He is faithful”; “He shall cause to inherit”; “Sons of God” and “side” is one hundred and fifty-three); and although there were so many, the net was not torn (the Lord will lose none of the elect).
v 12… Yeshua said to them, “Come and have breakfast (as his guest).” None of the talmidim ventured to question him, “Who are you?” knowing it was the Lord.
v 13… Yeshua came and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.
v 14… This is now the third time that Yeshua was manifested to the talmidim, after he was raised from the dead (three is the number of resurrection, to carry, to lift up. Two witnesses are needed to establish anything, three is a final confirmation).
v 15… So when they had finished breakfast, Yeshua said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me (agapas in Greek= meaning “to surrender yourself to me in action”) more than these (after your denials, as I told you, can you say that you love me more than these other talmidim do? Remember, you boasted that you did-Matt 26.33; Mark 14.29)?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (philio in Greek-meaning “to be friendly to one because of who they are”-a different word).” He said to him, “Feed my lambs (the young, weak, newborn babes with the truth of Scripture).”
v 16… He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (agapas-he leaves out “more than these” because he knew Peter’s heart and that he would not boast like that again) me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (philio) you.” He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep (care, guide, protect the adults, the mature ones).”
v 17…And he said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (phileis) me (now Yeshua meets Peeter where he is at)?” Peter is grieved because he said to him a third time, “Do you love me (Peter denied Yeshua three times and put himself under a curse in Matt 26.72-73 and Mark 14.71-the only person that could lift that curse is the one who was wronged, so that is what Yeshua is doing)?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know all things (if I love you or not); you know that I love (philio) you.” Yeshua said to him, “Feed my sheep” (in a Hebrew NewTestament produced by the United Bible Society, Israel Agency, by Yanetz Ltd, Jerusalem, it uses the Hebrew “ahev” in verses 15-17; they were speaking Hebrew in these verses most probably).
v 18… Truly, truly (amen, amen=related to the word “emunah” which means faith, confidence, action), I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself, and walk wherever you wished (of your own will); but when you grow old (a mature man) you will stretch out your hands and someone else will dress you (may be terms for crucifixion, but people were crucified naked; or this refers to the fact that when Peter is old someone else will dress and assist him), and bring you where you do not wish to go (if you could act on your own; not that Peter was not going to be willing to die for the Lord, but this means that whatever happened to him, this will be disagreeable to his flesh).”
v 19… Now this he said, signifying by what kind of death (what manner) he would glorify God (the death of God’s people always glorifies God, no matter how it happens, and is precious in his sight because we overcome death by entering into eternal life -Psa 116.15; John 11.4, 40; 2 Pet 1.14-15 ). And when he had spoken this, he said to him, “Follow me (literally, because he had gotten up, but also spiritually).”
v 20… Peter, turning around, saw the talmid whom Yeshua loved (“agapa”, meaning basically to surrender to, honor) following them; the one who also had leaned back on his breast at the supper (not the Passover seder), and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays you?”
v 21… Peter therefore seeing him (John) said to Yeshua, “Lord, and what about this man (what shall he do)?”
v 22… Yeshua said to him, “If I want him to remain (alive) until I come (This was just a hypothetical question. However, the kingdom was going to be reoffered-Acts 3.12-26- so Yeshua could have returned later in the first century, based on Isa 60.22. But this can also be referring to when Yeshua judges Israel, allowing the Romans to destroy the temple and the city, thus scattering the people, he is said to be “coming”; it also can be alluding to the fact that the kingdom offer was going to be rejected again, and John would live to see the Lord coming when he is given the Book of Revelation), what is that to you (that is not your concern; it’s none of your business)? You follow me (to serve, live, suffer or die because each will receive his own reward)!”
v 23…This saying therefore went out among the brethren (not among the eleven but other believers) that that talmid would not die; yet Yeshua did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come ( if the kingdom is accepted; or when Rome comes; or as revealed to John in Revelation), what is that to you (John knew the context in which Yeshua made these statements and he is trying to free these words from the false interpretation that was going around about them).”
v 24…This is the talmid who bears witness of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his witness is true.
v 25… And there are also many other things which Yeshua did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books which were written (an idiom meaning that just a few of the works of Yeshua were recorded in this book. By comparison, many more things were done everyday. What is written is enough proof that Yeshua is Messiah. If you don’t believe these few words, you would never believe if all his works were written down).
Leave a Reply