Bible Commentaries
John 21

Verses 1-25

This chapter undoubtedly added later by the writer is a revelation or manifestation of the risen Christ. Here He is seen interested in His disciples, and caring for their immediate needs, and that in spite of the fact that they had gone back to fishing, although He had charged them to tarry until they were endued with power from on high.

In all the story of our Lord's dealings with His own disciples nothing is more exquisite than this account of the patience and strength of His dealing with Peter. He talked to Peter in that morning hour, and gave him his commission and that of the Church in fellowship with Him. They were to go forth into the world, feeding the lambs, shepherding the sheep, and feeding the sheep. Moreover, there is a touch of human interest in His rebuke of Peter for attempting to discover the divine will concerning another man.

The book ends with the declaration, 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 should not contain the books that should be written." At the beginning of the story we stand in the presence of the bewildering eternities, and at the close we are thus brought in amazement to a recognition of the infinitudes which have been condensed in the life and activities of a Person on whom we may look, to whom we may listen, and yet who forever defies any to say that is to be said concerning Him.