The Risen Jesus Appears to His Disciples Again
Comments for Study 26
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* An outline of Jesus' last week before his resurrection is as follows.
Friday -Jesus arrives in the Jerusalem area.
Friday -Jesus arrives in the Jerusalem area. (John 11:54-12:1)
Saturday (Sabbath) -a day of rest; no event recorded except Luke 21:37-38.
Sunday -Jesus' triumphal entry. (Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19)
Monday -Jesus curses the fig tree (Matt. 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14). Jesus clears out the Temple. (Matt 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18)
Tuesday -Jesus' authority questioned. (Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:18) Jesus teaches in the temple. (Matt. 21:28-22:46; Mark 12:1-44; Luke 20:9-21:4) Jesus wept over Jerusalem's leader's unbelief and rejecting him as their King. (Matthew 23:1-39) Jesus anointed at Bethany. (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 13:3-9; John 12:2-11)
Wednesday -another day of rest; no event recorded except Luke 21:37-38. The Jews plot to kill Jesus. (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6)
Thursday (Hebrew month Abib the 13th day) -the Passover meal begins at twilight (see below note) when Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Last Supper. (Matt. 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-18) Jesus comforts the disciples (John 14:1-16:33) Jesus prays at Gethsemane. (Matt. 26:26-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46)
Friday (Hebrew month Abib, 14 day) -According Hebrew time Jesus is arrest and tried from night to daylight. (Matt. 26:47-27:26; Mark 14:43-15:15; Luke 22:47-23:25; John 18:2-19:16) Jesus' crucifixion at 3:00pm, and death before sunset which is the end of the Hebrew day and Passover. (Matt. 27:27-56; Mark 15:16-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30) Jesus is buried at sunset. (Matt. 27:57-66; mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42)
Saturday (Sabbath Abib 15, Seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread begins) Jesus' body is in the tomb. He appears in Sheol and accompanies the saints previously dead to heaven.
Sunday (Abib 16; day of First Fruits Sheaf Wave) Jesus' morning resurrection and appearing to the women. (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18) Then he appeared to the two on the road. (Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35) Then to the ten apostles (no Thomas or Judas) in the evening. (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)
Saturday (Sabbath) -Jesus appears to Thomas and the rest of the apostles. (John 20:26-31)
A week later -Jesus talks and eats with some disciples by the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-25)
Forty days since his resurrection -Jesus ascends to his Father from the Mount of Olives. (Matt. 28:15-20; Mark 18:19-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11)
* The Passover is linked to the 14th day of the month not the day of the week. It starting on Thursday twilight is a very rare event; unusually it starts on a different day of the week. (Hebrew days start at sunset/twilight and go thru the night till the next day's sunset.) Falling on a Thursday that year made it possible for Jesus to fulfill the meaning behind the feasts associated with the Passover. He was crucified on Friday (still Passover), the Sabbath (Saturday) rest was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Sunday was the third day since his death, the day of the First Fruit Wave Sheaf, and the day that Jesus rose from the dead. All three feasts were thus fulfilled by Jesus.
I. Come and Have Breakfast (1-14)
>1. To what does "Afterward" refer? (1a)
* "Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples..." -John 21:1a
* "Afterward" -See above.
* After showing himself to them in Jerusalem Jesus is not going to show them that he loves them even though they abandoned him and even denied knowing him.
* Jesus is also going to remind them of the mission he had given them, to bring the good news to the whole world.
>What had the risen Christ done in chapter 20? (20:17; 21-22; 27-28)
* "Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" -John 20:17
* "Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. -John 20:21-22
* "Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" -John 20:27-28
* This was probably a week after Jesus said these words to Thomas since it took several days to get from Jerusalem to Galilee. The disciples probably didn't take the main road back because they were still afraid of being arrested.
>2. Where were the disciples now? (1b)
* "by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way;" -John 21:1b
* "Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together." -John 21:2
* "Sea of Tiberias" -The Romans called the Sea of Galilee this name. They named it after Caesar.
* All of the apostles and disciples were in Galilee, but only these were by the sea at this time.
* At this quiet sea shore Jesus would appear to his disciples, especially Peter.
* Jesus had spend a lot of time with the disciples by this quiet sea.
>3. What were they doing? (3a)
* "'I'm going out to fish,' Simon Peter told them, and they said, 'We'll go with you.'" -John 21:3a
* Peter seems to be the instigator of going out to the sea and only those listed wanted to join him.
* Peter may have been anxious waiting for Jesus to appear as he told them he would. When a person of conviction does something that they are ashamed of they focus on that act. Often to stop thinking about it and start thinking about something else we want to busy our body with work.
>How might Peter and the others have felt after fishing all night? (3b)
* "So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing." -John 21:3b
* "got into the boat" -might have been Peter's old fishing boat.
* "night" -a good time to go fishing is in the evening when fish feed most often.
* "they caught nothing" -They had all left Jesus at the Mount of Olives. They had all doubted the resurrection. They had basically been failures at being disciples of Jesus. Now they were even failures at being fisherman.
* They must have been depressed, feeling like complete failures and wondering why they were waiting there. They must have been tired after put out the nets all night. Most likely they were hungry too.
* The night with no catch was God's will. Later they would see that. Sometimes we work hard and catch nothing. It does not mean that God is not working in our lives.
>4. Why was Jesus standing on the shore that early morning? (4; Mt. 26:32)
* "But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." -Matthew 26:32
* "Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." -John 21:4
* Jesus intentionally waited until morning and even then he did not reveal himself right away.
* Jesus did not tell them to come to shore.
* Jesus had plans for them that ended in them having breakfast.
>How did he greet them? (5)
* "He called out to them, 'Friends, haven't you any fish?' 'No,' they answered." -John 21:5
* "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." -John 21:6
* "Friends" -He still considered them friends after all that had happened in Jerusalem; actually it was because of what happened in Jerusalem that it was possible for them to be his and our friends. During the Last Supper Jesus stated that they were his friends.
* "Haven't you any fish?" -Often if someone was looking to buy fish they would ask fisherman this as they came in from fishing all night.
* Jesus initiated the conversation in a way to hide his identity.
* Jesus knew they had no fish being God.
>How did they restore their fishing failure? (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." (6)
* He gave them a suggestion, direction.
* "they caught fish" -the direction expected that they would do something.
* Jesus being controller of the fish and his dealing with the disciples brings glory to the love and power of God.
* Jesus will reveal himself to us in unusual and unexpected ways.
>5. What similar event had happened 3 years before? (Lk. 5:4-5)
* "When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." -Luke 5:4-5
* Peter had known Jesus the last time Jesus said this. John 1:40-42 is the first time Jesus and Peter meet physically.
>What dream had been born in Peter at that time?
* To be a top disciple of Jesus in what he thought would be Jesus' worldly Messianic kingdom.
* "Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! -John 13:37-38
* Jesus had planted a hope to be a fisher of men, to follow the one he knew to be the Messiah, to be somebody to God..
>6. Why didn't they recognize Jesus?
* They were in such sorrowful spirits.
* They were focusing on their failures and problems.
* They doubted that Jesus would accept them with so many failures, especially after all the bragging they had done about their faith and loyalty.
* They had given up on God and themselves.
* They are no different than many.
* They were about one hundred yards from shore.
* It was very early in the morning. Dawn and dusk are the hardest time for human eyes to see.
>Who recognized him first? (7a)
* "Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!'" -John 21:7a
* "As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, 'It is the Lord,' he wrapped his outer garment around him (fr he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.'" -John 21:7b
* John's character would have made him the first to recognize. John remembered what happened three years earlier and quickly pieced it together.
>What did Peter do? (7b)
* "As soon as Simon Peter heard his say, 'It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (he had taken it off) and jumped into the water." -John 21:7b
* Peter's character would have made him the first to get to Jesus.
* The way Jesus handled this personal reunion with the disciples makes me yearn for my face to face personal reunion with Jesus at the wedding feast of the Lamb.
>7. What was his attitude toward Jesus?
* "As soon as" -Love and passion.
* "he wrapped his outer garment" -Respect. One does not get dressed to go swimming.
>What reveals that his heart was restored? (7, 11)
* "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." -John 21:7
* "Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn." -John 21:11
* "The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards." -John 21:8
* The light and life of Jesus was in his heart. He didn't care about the fish. He just wanted to get to Jesus.
>8. What did the other disciples do? (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." -John 21:8
* "towing the net full of fish" -The usual practice would be to take the fish in the boat so none would be lost and it would have been a harder row. They did not care about the fish and they did not want to waist time. They wanted to be with Jesus.
>What did Jesus prepare for them? (9)
* "When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread." -John 21:9
* Jesus had already prepared fish and bread for them.
* This might have reminded them of the feeding of the four thousand and five thousand.
* Jesus took care of their physical needs because they loved him so and wanted to be with him.
* Jesus the king of kings was cooking for them.
>9. Why did Jesus invite his disciples? (10, 12a)
* "Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." -John 21:10
* "Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." -John 21:12a
* He wanted to have fellowship with them. He wanted to show his love for them. He wanted to help them overcome where they were at physically, mentally, and emotionally.
* Jesus invites everyone to come and have breakfast with him. He said so.
* After Jesus rose from the dead the most important thing for him was restoring a broken love relationship with his disciples. Jesus is the embodiment of God's love.
* Peter was the first to obey Jesus. The others followed. Jesus did not ask them to count the fish. Perhaps they were stalling sitting next to him because of awe, respect, and some shame.
>What did they find in the net? (11, Lk. 5:6-7)
* "When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. -Luke 5:6-7
* "Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn." -John 21:11
* Jesus was reminding them of what had happened three years ago because he wanted to tell them that he was calling them again to be fishers of men.
>10. Why couldn't his disciples ask any question to Jesus? (12b)
* "None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord." John 21:12b
* The fact that the risen from the dead King of the Jews, Lord of the universe, and Messiah was cooking breakfast for them was hard to comprehend and accept.
* Jesus had control of the fish in the sea and was serving his disciples.
* They knew that Jesus knew how they reacted during his arrest, trials and crucifixion, even after he had warned them, and here he was cooking fish and serving bread.
* The disciples always argued who was the greatest even though Jesus told them that the greatest was the servant and her Jesus is serving them as he preached.
>How did the Risen Jesus continue to show his disciples his unchanging love for them? (13; Heb. 13:8; Rev. 3:20b; and 2 Cor. 5:17)
* "Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish." -John 21:13
* "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! -2 Cor 5:17
* "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -Hebrews 13:8
* "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. -Rev 3:20
* This is real love. This is God's love.
* They had changed, but Jesus was the same.
* Jesus' love is personal involved in the day to day life.
* Jesus is full of grace and truth.
II. Feed My Sheep (15-25)
>1. After breakfast, what did Jesus ask Peter? (15a)
* "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?'" -John 21:15a
* "When they had finished eating" -After eating is a good time to have personal conversation.
* In the Bible meals are often signs of covenant of friendship. (1 Kings 19:1-9)
* "Jesus said to Simon Peter" -Jesus addressed his conversation to Peter none of the rest. Jesus even walked away from the rest. (20)
>Why did he ask the same question three times?
* "Simon son of John" -Jesus called Peter by the name that he had from birth, not the name he had given him which was "Peter". Son of John was never used before, it was his human name. Peter was with his human weakness following his human father's footsteps. This was Simon's official name. He started and ended the same.
* "truly" -Indicated that Jesus wanted it sink into Peter's heart.
* In the past Peter spoke quickly without thinking. He acted quickly without thinking too. Now he needed to look deeply.
* Peter's mind had been filled with his own junk thinking, his own expectation and zeal.
* Now Peter needed to deeply realize what he was saying and thinking.
* Jesus was asking Simon and so letting him make his own decision-of commitment.
* Peter had also denied Jesus three times.
* "Do you truly love me" -this would be based on love for Jesus not based on Simon's zeal and own idea. Before Peter's love for Jesus was very superficial for it was based on the wrong things. This love relationship that Jesus was not establishing must be mutual. It begins with our confession of love (of Lord, of Savior, of his love for us, of his serving us.)
* "more than these" -refers to the boat, the net, the fish; his past life and his old self.
* Jesus was working with Peter until all the human thinking was cleaned out.
>2. How is this question different each time? (15, 16, 17)
* "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.'" -John 21:15-17
* Jesus question became shorter and shorter.
* "Agape(o)" is Greek and used the first time. This love is God's love. Fallen man cannot achieve this love. "Phile(o)" is Greek for love and used the second and last time. This love is human brotherly love, less than Agape love.
>(See Matthew 26:33; John 13:37 for Peter's previous confessions of love and loyalty.)
* Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." -Matthew 26:33
* Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." -John 13:37
* Peter had thought that he loved God. He tried to. But he failed.
>3. On what basis could Peter's love relationship with Jesus be restored? (1 John 4:19)
* "We love because he first loved us." -1 John 4:19
* When he accepted and learned Jesus' love.
>4. How did Peter answer? (15-17)
* "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.'" -John 21:15-17
* "Yes Lord" -Peter knew Jesus was God, Emanuel.
* "you know that I love you" -Peter knew who Jesus was and that Jesus knew all about his heart. Peter knew that Jesus didn't need to ask.
* "you know all things" -Peter's conviction of Jesus' identity was sure.
* Third time Peter didn't answer.
>Why was Jesus' question hard for Peter to answer? (Mt. 26:74-75)
* "Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. -Matthew 26:74-75
* "Peter was hurt" -he knew Jesus knew his heart. In the past Peter had failed.
* "because Jesus asked him the third time" -The first time was probably easy. Peter might have even wanted to confess this after his failure. The second time Peter might have wondered what was Jesus asking. But when Jesus asked the third time it might have seemed that Jesus was questioning his love for Jesus.
* Jesus had said nothing about Peter's failure at this point. He didn't have too, both knew what had happened and both knew the other knew.
* Peter's failure was a big stumbling block to himself.
* Peter must have been doing some serious heart searching when he wept so bitterly after he denied Jesus. Even his fishing trip showed that he was constantly thinking about it, but didn't want to face up to it.
>5. How has the basis of Peter's love for Jesus changed? (See Peter's words in 1 Peter 2:24)
* "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." -1 Peter 2:24
* It's now based in Jesus' love. Before Peter only accepted Jesus' words that he could accept. The hardest for him to accept was loving his brothers with the love Jesus had for him. Peter even had a hard time loving Jesus for he ended up denying him.
* Peter was humbled and learned from Jesus.
>Why must we love God? (Think about the Biblical meaning of loving God in Proverbs 1:7)
* "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." -Proverbs 1:7
>6. What did Jesus tell Peter to do to show his love for Jesus? (15b, 16b, 17b)
* "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.'" -John 21:15-17
* These are commands.
* The differences shows the concreteness and absoluteness of them.
* "feed" -to give them spiritual food, the word of God (and physical if needed). One-to-one Bible study is the best because it is individual treatment, like personal meals at home compared to a smorgasbord (much food of all kinds for many). This is a lifetime commitment.
* "my" -they are Jesus' not ours. Jesus shed his blood for them. They are not necessarily beautiful from a human point of view. They are redeemed sinners.
* "lambs" -young sheep
* "take care" -if we are serious about our love relationship with Jesus and sheep we must do this.
* "sheep" -mature, older
>What had Jesus taught them about being a good shepherd? (10:11)
* "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." -John 10:11
>7. Why must a shepherd love Jesus first?
* If Peter loved Jesus he would do his will which is the only true feeding that Jesus was talking about.
* Following Jesus' example is the only way to please God and so bear fruit.
>Why was it important to reinstate Peter as a chief shepherd? (Mk. 6:34)
* "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things." -Mark 6:34
>8. What does verse 18 tell us about Peter's life as a sheep?
* "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted" -John 21:18a
* "I tell you the truth"-this was an important statement for Peter to listen to.
* "when you were younger"-it meant physically, but more so it meant spiritually.
* "you dressed yourself and went where you wanted"-In the past Peter did what ever he felt like doing.
>About his future life and death as a shepherd?
* "but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." -John 21:18b
* "but when you are old"-it meant physically, but more so it meant spiritually. He grew up spiritually in time.
* "you will stretch out your hands"-Peter died on the cross, up side down according to church history.
* "someone else"-if the future Peter would obey God in all his life activities.
* "you do not want to go"-no one wants to sacrifice and feel pain.
* It is interesting that Jesus talked about Peter's death at a time like this.
* In a way it was reassuring to Peter to know that he would not fail Jesus in the future.
>What does this life of mission have to do with human freedom?
* We must die as a kernel of wheat.
>9. What is involved in Jesus' invitation to mission? (19)
* "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" -John 21:19
* "Follow me"-in all of Jesus actions.
* "must"-
* This was different that Jesus' first call to Peter. The first was to learn from Jesus, now it was to do as he had seen Jesus do.
>What is the alternative to living and dying for the glory of God?
* Living for our self and our loved ones.
>Why is the life of mission glorious?
* It brings glory to God.
* It makes God happy.
>10. What did Peter ask about John? (20)
* "Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")" -John 21:20
>Why?
* Peter heard about his cross but didn't like to go through with it.
* Peter felt that it was unfair for him to be the only one to do this.
* Peter wanted to pawn off his mission to someone else.
>What did Jesus teach him? (21-23)
* "When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" -John 21:21-23
* Each person has his own cross and his own mission.
* We should not compare our cross with others and despair. We should simply follow Jesus according to God's purpose in each of our lives.
>Why must a decision to follow Jesus in a life of mission be a personal matter? (23)
* "Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" -John 21:23
>Why is this the way to a truly happy life?
* To be in Jesus and to love as Jesus loves.
>11. What does verse 25 show us about Jesus and John's gospel?
* "This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." -John 21:24-25
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