Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples,^(A) by the Sea of Galilee.^[a](B) It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas^(C) (also known as Didymus^[b]), Nathanael^(D) from Cana in Galilee,^(E) the sons of Zebedee,^(F) 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.^(G)

⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.^(H)

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.^(I)

⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved^(J) 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.^{[c] 9} When they landed, they saw a fire^(K) of burning coals there with fish on it,^(L) 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.^{(M) 14} This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples^(N) after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”^(O)

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”^(P)

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”^(Q)

¹⁷ 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?”^(R) He said, “Lord, you know all things;^(S) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.^{(T) 18} Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; 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.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death^(U) by which Peter would glorify God.^(V) Then he said to him, “Follow me!”^(W)

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved^(X) 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?”)^{(Y) 21} When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,^(Z) what is that to you? You must follow me.”^{(AA) 23} Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers^(AB) 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?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things^(AC) and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.^(AD)

²⁵ Jesus did many other things as well.^(AE) 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.

The Great Commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.^{(A) 17} When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^{(B) 19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(C) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^{(D) 20} and teaching^(E) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(F) always, to the very end of the age.”^(G)

¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.^{(A) 17} And these signs^(B) will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;^(C) they will speak in new tongues;^{(D) 18} they will pick up snakes^(E) with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on^(F) sick people, and they will get well.”

⁷ Then he appeared to James,^(A) then to all the apostles,^(B)

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book,^(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach^{(B) 2} until the day he was taken up to heaven,^(C) after giving instructions^(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles^(E) he had chosen.^{(F) 3} After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them^(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.^(H)

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:^(A) Everything must be fulfilled^(B) that is written about me in the Law of Moses,^(C) the Prophets^(D) and the Psalms.”^(E)

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer^(F) and rise from the dead on the third day,^{(G) 47} and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name^(H) to all nations,^(I) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(J) 48} You are witnesses^(K) of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised;^(L) but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait^(A) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.^{(B) 5} For John baptized with^[a] water,^(C) but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”^(D)

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore^(E) the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.^{(F) 8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;^(G) and you will be my witnesses^(H) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,^(I) and to the ends of the earth.”^(J)

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,^(A) he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.^(B)

¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven^(A) and he sat at the right hand of God.^(B)