John Chapter 21:1-25 King James Bible KJV

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples by the Sea, Jesus Reinstates Peter, the Inquiry about John’s Future, Conclusion of the Gospel of John

John Chapter 21:1-25 King James Bible KJV. John Chapter 21 is the concluding chapter of the Gospel of John, and it recounts one final post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, this time by the Sea of Galilee. The chapter offers key themes around restoration, forgiveness, and the commission of Jesus’ followers, with a special focus on Peter’s reconciliation and future mission. This chapter emphasizes the enduring call of discipleship and provides a powerful close to the Gospel by reaffirming Jesus’ love and ongoing mission through his disciples.

Key Themes

• Restoration and Forgiveness: The story of Peter’s restoration is central to this chapter, as Jesus offers Peter the chance to declare his love three times, mirroring his three denials. This act of restoration shows that failure does not disqualify a person from God’s calling and that Jesus is willing to forgive and restore those who return to him with a sincere heart.
• The Call to Shepherd God’s People: Jesus’ command to Peter to “feed my sheep” underscores the importance of nurturing and leading others in the faith. This responsibility is given not only to Peter but to all leaders in the church, emphasizing servant leadership and the selfless care of others as central to the mission of following Christ.
• Individual Paths of Discipleship: Jesus’ response to Peter’s question about John’s future teaches that discipleship is a personal journey. Each believer has a unique calling and path, and the focus should remain on faithfully following Jesus rather than comparing oneself to others.
• The Magnitude of Jesus’ Life and Mission: The chapter’s closing words about the countless deeds of Jesus remind readers that the Gospel is a starting point for knowing Jesus. The vastness of his work and impact invites believers to continually seek a deeper understanding of his life, teachings, and role in God’s plan.

John Chapter 21:1-25 King James Bible KJV
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Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples by the Sea – Verses 1-14

• The Fishing Miracle: After the resurrection, Peter and six other disciples go fishing at the Sea of Galilee but catch nothing all night. In the morning, Jesus appears on the shore and calls out to them, instructing them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They obey, and their net fills with fish—153 large fish, to be exact. This miraculous catch recalls an earlier miracle when Jesus first called Peter and some of the other disciples, symbolizing a renewed call and blessing on their mission.
• Recognizing Jesus: John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” is the first to recognize Jesus, exclaiming, “It is the Lord!” Peter, in his enthusiasm, jumps into the water to swim ashore. The disciples bring the catch to shore, where Jesus has prepared a breakfast of bread and fish, serving and eating with them. This scene reveals Jesus’ loving care and fellowship with his followers, affirming his presence and provision even after his resurrection.

Jesus Reinstates Peter -Verses 15-19

• Peter’s Threefold Restoration: After breakfast, Jesus addresses Peter directly, asking three times, “Do you love me?” Each time, Peter responds affirmatively, and Jesus gives him a command: “Feed my lambs,” “Take care of my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” This threefold question mirrors Peter’s three denials of Jesus before the crucifixion, offering him a chance for reconciliation and reaffirming his role as a leader.
• Commission to Shepherd the Flock: By instructing Peter to care for his sheep, Jesus is commissioning Peter to a role of spiritual leadership over the early church. This reflects Jesus’ trust in Peter despite his earlier failings, highlighting themes of forgiveness and grace. Jesus’ commands to Peter symbolize the responsibilities of shepherding and guiding believers, showing the importance of service, care, and responsibility in leadership.
• Prediction of Peter’s Martyrdom: Jesus then tells Peter that one day he will be led where he does not want to go, indicating the kind of death by which Peter will glorify God. This prophecy suggests that Peter will die a martyr, and tradition holds that Peter was eventually crucified. Despite the cost of discipleship, Jesus calls Peter to “follow me,” showing that following Christ may require sacrifice but brings eternal significance.

The Inquiry about John’s Future – Verses 20-23

• Peter’s Question about John: Peter, seeing John following them, asks Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus responds, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Jesus’ response emphasizes that each disciple’s journey is unique, and one’s primary responsibility is to focus on their own calling, not to compare or question God’s plans for others.
• Clarifying Jesus’ Statement: This interaction leads to a rumor among the early believers that John would not die until Jesus returned. John clarifies that Jesus did not say he would not die but simply left open the possibility. This serves as a reminder to focus on personal faithfulness rather than speculating about others’ lives or future events.

Conclusion of the Gospel – Verses 24-25

• The Testimony of the Author: John, identified as the “disciple who testifies to these things,” affirms the truthfulness of the Gospel’s message, underscoring his eyewitness testimony. This final affirmation strengthens the credibility of the Gospel account, as John has firsthand experience with Jesus.
• Many More Deeds of Jesus: The Gospel concludes by acknowledging that Jesus performed many other signs and miracles that are not recorded in this book, with John poetically suggesting that the world could not contain the books if everything Jesus did were written down. This ending highlights the greatness of Jesus and invites readers to continue to explore and discover more about him.

John Chapter 21:1-25 King James Bible KJV

1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
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.
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.
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
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.
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.
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.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
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.
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.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

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.
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.
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.
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.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

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?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
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?

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