Bible Commentaries
John 21

Introduction

Overview

John 21:1, Christ appearing again to his disciples is known of them by the great draught of fishes; John 21:12, He dines with them; John 21:15, earnestly commands Peter to feed his lambs and sheep; John 21:18, foretells him of his death; John 21:22, rebukes his curiosity touching John; John 21:24, The conclusion.

Verse 1

these: John 20:19-29

Jesus: Matthew 26:32, Matthew 28:7, Matthew 28:16, Mark 16:7

the sea: John 6:1, John 6:23

Reciprocal: Matthew 4:18 - sea Matthew 15:29 - unto Mark 14:28 - General John 16:16 - a little while Acts 13:31 - he was

Verse 2

Thomas: John 20:28

Nathanael: John 1:45-51

Cana: John 2:1, John 2:11, John 4:46, Joshua 19:28, Kanah

the sons: Matthew 4:21, Matthew 4:22

Reciprocal: Matthew 10:2 - James Matthew 10:3 - Thomas Mark 3:17 - James Mark 3:18 - Thomas John 1:42 - A stone John 11:16 - Thomas John 20:24 - Thomas Acts 1:13 - Thomas

Verse 3

I go: 2 Kings 6:1-7, Matthew 4:18-20, Luke 5:10, Luke 5:11, Acts 18:3, Acts 20:34, 1 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

and that: Luke 5:5, 1 Corinthians 3:7

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:2 - and take thence Ezekiel 47:10 - fishers

Verse 4

but: John 20:14, Mark 16:12, Luke 24:15, Luke 24:16, Luke 24:31

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:8 - but they knew

Verse 5

Children: or, Sirs, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:18,*Gr.

have: Psalms 37:3, Luke 24:41-43, Philippians 4:11-13, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 19:6 - cake 2 Kings 4:38 - Set on the great pot Proverbs 23:15 - My son Matthew 9:2 - Son Mark 8:7 - fishes Mark 10:24 - Children

Verse 6

Cast: Matthew 7:27, Luke 5:4-7

They cast: John 2:5, Psalms 8:8, Hebrews 2:6-9

the multitude: Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4

Reciprocal: Habakkuk 1:15 - they catch Malachi 3:10 - that there Luke 5:6 - they enclosed

Verse 7

that disciple: John 21:20, John 21:24, John 13:23, John 19:26, John 20:2

It is: John 20:20, John 20:28, Psalms 118:23, Mark 11:3, Luke 2:11, Acts 2:36, Acts 10:36, 1 Corinthians 15:47, James 2:1

when: Song of Solomon 8:7, Matthew 14:28, Matthew 14:29, Luke 7:47, 2 Corinthians 5:14

fisher's coat: Or, upper coat, great coat, or, surtout, ונוםהץפחם [Strong's G1903], from וני [Strong's G1909], upon, and וםהץש [Strong's G1746], I clothe.

naked: That is, he was only in his vest, or under garment; for דץלםןע [Strong's G1131], naked, like the Hebrew arom is frequently applied to one who has merely laid aside his outer garment. See note on 1 Samuel 19:24, and see note on 2 Samuel 6:20. To which may be added what we read in the LXX, Job 22:6, "Thou has taken away the covering of the naked," בלציבים דץלםשם, the plaid, or blanket, in which they wrapped themselves, and besides they had no other. In this sense Virgil says, Nudus ara, sere nudus "plough naked, and sow naked," i.e., strip off your upper garments.

Reciprocal: Isaiah 20:2 - naked John 11:28 - and called John 16:22 - But John 20:6 - General John 20:25 - We John 21:15 - more Acts 3:1 - Peter

Verse 8

cubits: Deuteronomy 3:11

Reciprocal: Mark 8:7 - fishes

Verse 9

they saw: 1 Kings 19:5, 1 Kings 19:6, Matthew 4:11, Mark 8:3, Luke 12:29-31

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 4:38 - Set on the great pot Matthew 15:34 - few Mark 8:7 - fishes

Verse 10

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:34 - few Luke 24:41 - Have

Verse 11

and for: Luke 5:6-8, Acts 2:41

Verse 12

Come: Acts 10:41

dine: The word בסיףפבם [Strong's G712], like prandere was used for any meat taken before the coena or supper.

durst: John 4:27, John 16:19, Genesis 32:29, Genesis 32:30, Mark 9:32, Luke 9:45

Verse 13

Luke 24:42, Luke 24:43, Acts 10:41

Verse 14

the third time: Or, as some read, the third day. On the day the Saviour rose he appeared five times; the second day was that day se'nnight; and this was the third day - or this was his third appearance to any considerable number of his disciples together. Though he had appeared to Mary, to the women, to the two disciples, to Cephas - yet he had but twice appeared to a company of them together. John 20:19, John 20:26

Reciprocal: 1 John 1:2 - and bear

Verse 15

son: John 21:16, John 21:17, John 1:42, Jona, Matthew 16:17, Bar-jona

lovest: John 8:42, John 14:15-24, John 16:27, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 25:34-45, 1 Corinthians 16:21, 1 Corinthians 16:22, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Galatians 5:6, Ephesians 6:24, 1 Peter 1:8, 1 John 4:19, 1 John 5:1

more: John 21:7, Matthew 26:33, Matthew 26:35, Mark 14:29

thou knowest: John 21:17, 2 Samuel 7:20, 2 Kings 20:3, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:23

Feed: Psalms 78:70-72, Jeremiah 3:15, Jeremiah 23:4, Ezekiel 34:2-10, Ezekiel 34:23, Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 4:15, 1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:1-4

lambs: Genesis 33:13, Isaiah 40:11, Matthew 18:10, Matthew 18:11, Luke 22:32, Romans 14:1, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:11, Ephesians 4:14, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:13, 1 Peter 2:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:40 - General Deuteronomy 33:10 - They shall teach Joshua 22:5 - love 2 Samuel 7:7 - feed 1 Kings 19:13 - What doest 2 Kings 10:15 - Is thine heart right Psalms 51:13 - Then Psalms 78:71 - feed Proverbs 10:21 - feed Proverbs 27:23 - diligent Song of Solomon 1:4 - the upright love thee Song of Solomon 1:8 - feed Song of Solomon 8:6 - love Jeremiah 15:15 - thou Jeremiah 31:8 - them the Ezekiel 34:15 - General Ezekiel 46:24 - General Jonah 3:1 - the second Zechariah 11:4 - Feed Matthew 18:14 - one Matthew 24:45 - to give Matthew 25:33 - the sheep Matthew 25:40 - Inasmuch Matthew 26:74 - saying Mark 10:16 - General Mark 16:19 - after Luke 6:14 - Simon Luke 7:47 - she Luke 9:60 - but Luke 12:42 - to give Luke 17:2 - one John 11:36 - Behold John 13:37 - why John 15:16 - ordained John 18:17 - I am not John 20:6 - General John 20:21 - as Acts 1:13 - Peter Acts 1:15 - Peter Acts 9:4 - Saul Acts 13:6 - whose 1 Corinthians 9:7 - or Ephesians 4:12 - perfecting Philippians 1:25 - for 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - and labour 1 Thessalonians 2:7 - we 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - comfort 2 Timothy 2:15 - rightly 1 Peter 1:1 - Peter 1 Peter 5:2 - Feed 2 Peter 1:1 - Peter Revelation 7:17 - feed

Verse 16

the second: John 18:17, John 18:25, Matthew 26:72

my sheep: John 10:11-16, John 10:26, John 10:27, Psalms 95:7, Psalms 100:3, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 25:32, Luke 15:3-7, Luke 19:10, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:10 - They shall teach John 21:15 - son John 21:17 - Feed

Verse 17

the third: John 13:38, John 18:27, Matthew 26:73, Matthew 26:74, Revelation 3:19

grieved: 1 Kings 17:18, Lamentations 3:33, Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:72, Luke 22:61, Luke 22:62, 2 Corinthians 2:4-7, 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Peter 1:6

Lord: John 2:24, John 2:25, John 16:30, John 18:4, Jeremiah 17:10, Acts 1:24, Acts 15:8, Revelation 2:23

thou knowest that: John 21:15, Joshua 22:22, 1 Chronicles 29:17, Job 31:4-6, Psalms 7:8, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 17:3, 2 Corinthians 1:12

Feed: John 21:15, John 21:16, John 12:8, John 14:15, John 15:10, Matthew 25:40, 2 Corinthians 8:8, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 2 Peter 1:12-15, 2 Peter 3:1, 1 John 3:16-24, 3 John 1:7, 3 John 1:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:19 - For I Genesis 29:25 - wherefore 2 Samuel 7:20 - knowest 1 Kings 8:39 - for thou 1 Chronicles 4:10 - that it may 1 Chronicles 17:18 - thou knowest 1 Chronicles 28:9 - the Lord Job 10:7 - Thou knowest Job 23:10 - he knoweth Job 42:2 - no Psalms 40:9 - thou knowest Psalms 116:1 - love Psalms 139:1 - thou hast Proverbs 15:11 - the hearts Song of Solomon 1:7 - O thou Song of Solomon 3:1 - him whom Jeremiah 3:15 - which shall Jeremiah 12:3 - knowest Ezekiel 11:5 - for Daniel 2:22 - he knoweth Matthew 9:4 - knowing Matthew 12:25 - Jesus Matthew 26:22 - General Mark 2:8 - when Mark 8:17 - knew Mark 9:33 - What Mark 12:15 - knowing Mark 14:15 - he will Luke 6:8 - But Luke 9:47 - perceiving Luke 16:15 - God Luke 22:12 - he John 4:16 - Go John 5:6 - and knew John 5:42 - I know John 6:61 - General John 13:18 - I know John 16:19 - Jesus Acts 8:21 - for Acts 10:16 - thrice Acts 11:10 - three Romans 8:27 - And he 1 Corinthians 4:4 - I know 1 Corinthians 8:3 - is 2 Corinthians 11:11 - God 1 Thessalonians 2:4 - but God Hebrews 4:13 - is there 1 John 3:20 - and

Verse 18

but: John 13:36, Acts 12:3, Acts 12:4

another: Acts 21:11

thou wouldest not: John 12:27, John 12:28, 2 Corinthians 5:4

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 43:6 - Jeremiah Ezekiel 3:25 - General Matthew 5:18 - verily Matthew 22:13 - Bind Mark 14:18 - Verily John 1:51 - Verily Acts 3:1 - Peter 2 Peter 1:14 - even

Verse 19

by: Philippians 1:20, 1 Peter 4:11-14, 2 Peter 1:14

Follow: John 21:22, John 12:26, John 13:36, John 13:37, Numbers 14:24, 1 Samuel 12:20, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 16:21-25, Matthew 19:28, Mark 8:33-38, Luke 9:22-26

Reciprocal: Mark 8:34 - follow Luke 5:27 - Follow me John 12:33 - signifying Romans 14:8 - we die unto

Verse 20

seeth: John 21:7, John 21:24, John 20:2

which: John 13:23-26, John 20:2

Reciprocal: Daniel 10:11 - a man Daniel 10:19 - O man Matthew 10:2 - John Mark 3:17 - James Mark 8:34 - follow Luke 6:14 - James Luke 16:22 - Abraham's John 16:23 - ask John 19:26 - whom Revelation 1:17 - I fell

Verse 21

Lord: Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:4, Luke 13:23, Luke 13:24, Acts 1:6, Acts 1:7

Reciprocal: Mark 13:4 - General Luke 21:7 - when John 13:36 - whither John 16:23 - ask Acts 10:42 - he commanded 1 Peter 5:12 - testifying

Verse 22

If: Matthew 16:27, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 25:31, Mark 9:1, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 11:26, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 2:25, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:20

follow: John 21:19

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 29:29 - secret Matthew 4:19 - Follow Mark 13:4 - General Mark 16:19 - after Luke 9:27 - some Luke 13:23 - And Luke 21:7 - when John 10:27 - and they John 12:26 - let John 13:36 - thou Acts 10:42 - he commanded

Verse 23

what: Deuteronomy 29:29, Job 28:28, Job 33:13, Daniel 4:35

Reciprocal: Mark 9:1 - the kingdom Luke 9:27 - some Revelation 2:25 - till

Verse 24

we know: John 19:35, 1 John 1:1, 1 John 1:2, 1 John 5:6, 3 John 1:12

Reciprocal: Matthew 10:2 - John John 12:17 - bare John 13:23 - whom John 15:27 - ye also John 19:26 - whom John 20:2 - to the John 21:7 - that disciple John 21:20 - seeth 1 John 5:13 - have I Revelation 1:2 - bare

Verse 25

there: John 20:30, John 20:31, Job 26:14, Psalms 40:5, Psalms 71:15, Ecclesiastes 12:12, Matthew 11:5, Acts 10:38, Acts 20:35, Hebrews 11:32

that even: This is a very strong eastern expression to represent the number of miracles which Jesus wrought. But however strong and strange it may appear to us of the western world, we find sacred and other authors using hyperboles of the like kind and signification. See Numbers 13:33, Deuteronomy 1:28, Daniel 4:11, Ecclesiastes 1:15. Basnage gives a very similar hyperbole taken from the Jewish writers, in which Jochanan is said to have "composed such a great number of precepts and lessons, that if the heavens were paper, and all the trees of the forest so many pens, and all the children of men so many scribes, they would not suffice to write all his lessons." Amos 7:10, Matthew 19:24

Reciprocal: Acts 1:3 - he showed Acts 2:40 - with Acts 10:41 - Not 1 Corinthians 14:16 - Amen Revelation 22:20 - Amen