John 21:1–3 (WEL) After these things, Jesus appeared again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (the twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They replied, “We are going with you, too.” They immediately went out and entered a boat. That night they caught nothing.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
In this chapter,
- Christ discovers himself to seven of his disciples at the sea of Tiberias, gives them a miraculous draught of fishes, and familiarly dines with them, John 21:1–14.
- He thrice examines Peter touching the sincerity of his love to him, and as often commissions him to feed his people by gospel ministrations; and warns him of his future sufferings and martyrdom, John 21:15–19.
- He checks Peter’s curiosity about the life of John, and the time and manner of his death, John 21:20–23.
- The certainty of the gospel record, and the multitude of Christ’s miracles, are declared, John 21:24, John 21:25.
V1 After these things, Jesus appeared again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way.
Some information about the Sea of Tiberias:
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “a freshwater lake, fed by the Jordan River, which was closely connected with the earthly ministry of Jesus (see Map 6, C–2). This ‘sea’ is called by four different names in the Bible: the ‘Sea of Chinnereth’ [or ‘Chinneroth’] (the Hebrew word for ‘harp-shaped,’ the general outline of the lake; Num. 34:11; Josh. 12:3; 13:27); the ‘Lake of Gennesaret’ (Luke 5:1), taking the name from the fertile Plain of Gennesaret that lies on the northwest (Matt. 14:34); the ‘Sea of Tiberias’ (John 6:1; 21:1), because of its association with the capital of Herod Antipas; and the ‘Sea of Galilee’ (Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16).
Situated some 98 kilometers (60 miles) north of Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee contains fresh water since it is fed by the Jordan. The lake itself is the deepest part of the northern Jordan Rift, and thus the water collects there before it flows on its way. The surface of Galilee is about 230 meters (700 feet) below the Mediterranean Sea. The floor of the lake is another 25 to 50 meters (80 to 160 feet) lower. The lake itself is nearly 21 kilometers (13 miles) long and 13 kilometers (8 miles) wide at Magdala, the point of its greatest width.”
At this point, Jesus has physically died, physically rose from the dead, ascended to the Holy of Holies in Heaven to present His blood as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 9:12), and returned for this brief 40-day period to minister and teach the disciples. It also serves to have many witnesses of His physical resurrection in a glorified body.
V2 Simon Peter, Thomas (the twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together.
Simon Peter had denied Jesus; now he is with some of his fellow disciples. Thomas, who was absent at times after the resurrection, saw the Lord Jesus in person and now has no doubts. Also present are Nathanael, Zebedee’s sons (James and John), and two other unnamed disciples.
V3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They replied, “We are going with you, too.” They immediately went out and entered a boat. That night they caught nothing.
Peter was a fisherman, so it stands to reason that he would want to fish.
The rest joined in, entered the boat, fished all night, and caught nothing.
Often fishermen fished at night to sell their fish in the morning.
Some information about the boat:
(ESV Archaeology Study Bible Notes) Remains of a boat of the type Jesus and his disciples probably used when fishing or traveling on the Sea of Galilee have been found on the muddy shoreline between Kibbutz Ginosar and Migdal (Magdala), on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Through a long and painstaking operation, much of the boat’s hull was rescued and preserved. The planks of the boat were made of cedar and its ribs of oak. Ten more types of wood were used to make repairs. This indicates the boat had a long and useful life plying the waters of the sea. The boat was 26.5 feet (8.1 m) long and 7.5 feet (2.3 m) wide and, when full, would ride low in the water. It had a single mast that held a square-rigged sail. A similar boat is depicted on a mosaic dating to the late Roman period found nearby at Migdal. A boat such as this would have typically held a crew of five fishermen with their nets and equipment, but it could have transported 10–12 people on calm seas if otherwise empty. When filled, though, it could easily have been “swamped by the waves” (Matt. 8:24), frightening its fishermen who knew all too well the moods of the sea.
We learn:
- The setting for another eyewitness report of Jesus’s resurrection.
- About Thomas who is present.
Questions:
- Are you prepared for God’s surprises, like these disciples will experience shortly?
- Would you have been present?