seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
John 21:1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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Here's a link to the Commentary I read.
I am going fishing: Some believe that Peter was wrong to go fishing, and that this was a compromised return to a former occupation. Others believe Peter disobeyed no command of Jesus and was simply wise and practical. In the end, only the attitude of Peter’s heart could determine if he was disobedient to go back to fishing.
That night they caught nothing: They fished through the night and had no success. Whether their motives were good or bad, that night they caught nothing.
Jesus stood on the shore: The previous three resurrection appearances in John’s Gospel were each unexpected. This also seemed to be unexpected; the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Children, have you any food: Jesus spoke to His disciples with a common greeting that working men used amongst themselves. Yet He also made them explain an unsuccessful night of fishing, causing them to answer Him no.
“It should be ‘lads’; paidion being the common term of address to men at work, see Aristophanes, Clouds, 137, Frogs, 33.” (Dods)
“This he saith as seeming to be some housekeeper, who passing by fishermen, calls to them, as willing to buy their fish for the use of his family.” (Trapp)
Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some: Jesus made a strange suggestion to His disciples. There was no logical reason why fishing in the morning light would be better than fishing at night. There was no reason why fishing on one side of the boat would be better than the other side. It wasn’t even directly a test of trust in Jesus, because they did not know it was Him until the fish were caught. This was probably a test of their ability to find the guidance of God in small and unsuspected ways — such as a stranger calling out fishing instructions from the shore.
They were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of the fish: The disciples did as the Man on the shore asked and were successful beyond expectation. This shows a difference between doing work without Divine guidance and with Divine guidance.
It is the Lord: John reached the tomb before Peter (John 20:4) and recognized the fact of Jesus’ resurrection before Peter (John 20:8). Here John also recognized the identity of the stranger on the shore before Peter did. John knew that anything this wonderful had to come from Jesus.
Plunged into the sea: John was first in recognition, but Peter would be first in devotion. He threw on his outer garment and threw himself into the water to reach Jesus as soon as possible. The boat couldn’t move quickly enough for Peter, and he didn’t want John to be first again. Perhaps — perhaps — Peter thought he might walk on the water to the shore.
“The probability here is that the word means that parts of the body normally covered were exposed so that Peter was not naked but rather ‘stripped for work’ (RSV, Barclay).” (Morris)
Dragging the net with fish: The other disciples followed, doing the hard work of bringing the net full of fish with them.
They saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread: When the disciples came to shore — including a wet Peter — they noticed that the resurrected Jesus was still a humble servant. He took the trouble to prepare a fire and cook the food for His disciples.
Bring some of the fish which you have just caught: The order of events shows that Jesus had food for them before the great catch of fish were brought it. What they caught added to the menu; it did not make it.
Full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three: Peter took the initiative and dragged the heavy net all by himself. The net was not broken and held a large catch of 153 fish. Through the centuries there have been many attempts to explain why the number was 153.
Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast”: We are again impressed at the servant nature of Jesus, even in His resurrection. He prepared breakfast for His disciples, no doubt a delicious one.
Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”; knowing that it was the Lord: This is another indication that there was something unusual about the appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. Possibly it was a result of the beatings He endured at the cross, the scars of which remained at least in part.
Jesus then came and took the bread: Jesus is often seen eating with His disciples after His resurrection. This is a picture of intimate, friendly fellowship.
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I heard that in the Sea of Galilee, it was common for bad storms that come up during the night. The Sea is at a much lower altitude than the surrounding land. It's like a bowl. Violent storms would arise in the night because of the coolness or the sea water than the heat of the wind off the land. The preacher who taught this said the fishermen would fish closer to the shore and put their nets on out on the shore side of the boat because they were afraid to face the monsters that churned up those storms. Remember... These people still thought the earth was flat.
Jesus told them to change their fishing technique. What did they have to lose? If the nets were empty anyway, why not give it a try? So, they did and Jesus was right. Of course, they were trying the new technique, not because Jesus told them to... but because, well, why not?? It couldn't produce a worse result, right? To them Jesus was a stranger on the beach. They didn't know it was Jesus, yet.
Then when they tugged on the net, it was so full of fish, they could barely row to shore.
That's when John and Peter knew it was Jesus on the shore. The others figured it out too.
At that point, Peter pulled his shirt back on and jumped in the water. The commentary says Peter was probably trying to walk on water again. It didn't work, but they made it to shore. The rest, including Thomas [Didymus, twin] got the net and the boat back to shore. No.... Peter did not haul the fish in... the others did that. I want to make that clear [the commentary doesn't].
Jesus already had a fire going, fish cooking, and bread ready for the meal.
They knew it was Jesus. He looked different but they knew it was Jesus.
John and Peter had been to the tomb. They knew Jesus was in the room with them the first time. They knew Jesus was in the room with them later in the day when Jesus showed Thomas His scars. Jesus could just materialize out of nowhere.
I would like to say one more thing about "casting your net on the other side of the boat". You're not likely to get a pew warmer to Confess their Faith, because they've been lying about it for so long, they actually believe they belong there. They don't even realize they are dead. If you talk to someone in a brothel or prison or just a neighbor, they will benefit from the truth, Jesus is the Messiah.
The disciples were there because Jesus told them to get to Galilee and He would meet them there. He gave those instructions in the room after He showed Thomas His scars.
They were expecting something to happen, another person or an angel to show up. Peter got bored with an empty schedule and no agenda, so he decided to go back to what he knew... fishing. And that's how they all got in the boat. Peter was bored. I don't think Peter was expecting a fishing lesson from a stranger on the beach.... Peter was just bored so he went fishing.
The stranger on the shore was Jesus!
