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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 21:4 - 21:8
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_21:4-8
4But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." 6And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
Joh_21:4 "yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus" There have been several theories as to this inability to recognize Jesus.
1. it was too dark
2. He was too far away
3. they were too tired
4. Jesus looked slightly different (cf. Joh_21:12; Mat_28:16-17; Luk_24:13 ff)
5. they were divinely prevented from recognizing Him (cf. Luk_24:16)
Joh_21:5 "Children" This is used metaphorically. There are two terms for "little children" commonly used in the NT. This one (paidion) is used least and is different from the more common one (teknion) used in John and 1 John. This term occurs in the Gospel only in Joh_4:49; Joh_16:21, and here. These terms seem to be used synonymously in 1 John, paidion in 1Jn_2:13; 1Jn_2:18, but teknion in 1Jn_2:1; 1Jn_2:12; 1Jn_2:28.
▣ "you do not have any fish" This term "fish" (prosphagion) really denotes food of any kind that is eaten with bread, but in this context, "fish" is demanded. This question expects a "no" answer.
Joh_21:6 Jesus was acting in the same manner as He did when he first called them, Luk_5:1-11. As a characteristic of this chapter (see note at Joh_21:15) two different Greek terms are used for boat, ploion in Joh_21:3; Joh_21:6 and ploiaron (little boat) in Joh_21:8. John shows his literary variety in the chapter several times.
Joh_21:7 "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved" This refers to the author of the Gospel, the Apostle John (cf. Joh_13:23; Joh_20:2-3; Joh_20:8; Joh_21:20). John is never named in the Gospel.
NASB "he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work)"
NKJV "Put on his outer garment (for he had removed it)"
NRSV "he put on some clothes, for he was naked"
TEV "he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken his clothes off)"
NJB "Peter tied his outer garment around him (for he had nothing on)"
In first century Palestine people wore an outer robe and close-fitting long underwear. Peter had removed his outer cloak/robe and rolled down his underwear to the waist.
▣ "It is the Lord" The term kurios was the Greek term for "mister," "sir," "master," "owner," or "lord." In some contexts it is simply a polite address, but in others it is a theological affirmation of Jesus' deity. In this context these fishermen recognized this person on the beach as the glorified, resurrected Lord!
The origin of the translation comes from OT usage, where YHWH is translated as Lord. This occurred because the Jews were afraid to pronounce this covenant name for Deity, so they substituted another Hebrew term, Adonai, which corresponds to kurios. See Special Topic at Joh_6:20.
Lord is the title which is above every name in Php_2:9-11. It was the part of the early church's baptismal confession, "Jesus is Lord" (cf. Rom_10:9-13).
Joh_21:8 "the other disciple" Apparently all the inner circle had gone with Peter and John for a fishing retreat as a way to get some spending money (they could no longer depend on the women who traveled with Jesus).
▣ "the net full of fish" Even at this late date Jesus is still
1. building their faith
2. providing their needs
3. confirming His resurrection and authority (over nature)