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Joh_21:5-6. Παιδία ] Not un-Johannean (1Jn_2:14; 1Jn_2:18), although in Joh_13:33 τεκνία is used.
μή τι προσφάγ . ἔχετε ] The emphasis lies, as frequently, on the concluding word: you are not, I suppose, (already) in possession of something to eat? The question presupposes the opinion of the questioner, that they had probably as yet taken nothing, as well as the thought that in the opposite case He need not step in. That, however, He designates fishes exactly by προσφάγιον , is grounded on the fact that He intends to take a breakfast with the disciples on the fishes, after which He inquires. On προσφάγ . itself, which is, like the Attic ὄψον , used especially of fishes (comp. προσφάγημα , Moeris, p. 204. 24; προσόψημα , Athen. iv. p. 162 C, vii. p. 276 E), see Sturz, Dial. Al. p. 191; Fischer, de vitiis, Lex. p. 697 f.
The disciples simply answer: no; they have therefore taken Him for an entire stranger, who perhaps wishes to buy fishes for breakfast. The παιδία , intended by Jesus in the sense of fatherly love, they may have regarded, in the mouth of the unknown, as a friendly designation of the state of service (Nonnus: παῖδες ἁλὸς δρηστῆρες ; Euth. Zigabenus: τοὺς ἐργατικούς ). Comp. on Joh_6:6.
εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μ .] They had the net then in the lake, on quite another side of the boat.
οὐκέτι ] no more, as previously, when it was empty and light. Observe the pictorial imperf. ἴσχυον (see the critical notes).
ἑλκῦσαι ] draw, draw up the submerged net. On the other hand, σύροντες , Joh_21:8 : tugging, dragging forth. See Tittmann, Synon. p. 57 f.
ἀπό ] on account of. See Bernhardy, p. 224.
To regard the above fruitless toils (on the left, it is thought), and this abundant take on the right, as a figure of the apostolic activity, in relation first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles (Grotius, Weitzel, Hengstenberg, Godet, Hilgenfeld, and several others), is too special, and not even conformable to history (Gal_2:9; Act_22:20, et al., comp. Luthardt), without prejudice, moreover, to the symbolism of the draught of fishes in itself; see note after Joh_21:14.