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Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

21 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.[a] This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),[b] Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows,[c] have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards[d] from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?[e]

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others[f] will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers[g] that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

Footnotes

  1. 21:1 Greek Sea of Tiberias, another name for the Sea of Galilee.
  2. 21:2 Greek Thomas, who was called Didymus.
  3. 21:5 Greek Children.
  4. 21:8 Greek 200 cubits [90 meters].
  5. 21:15 Or more than these others do?
  6. 21:18 Some manuscripts read and another one.
  7. 21:23 Greek the brothers.

Jesus’ Third Appearance to the Disciples

21 After this, Jesus revealed(A) Himself again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.[a](B) He revealed Himself in this way:

Simon Peter,(C) Thomas(D) (called “Twin”), Nathanael(E) from Cana of Galilee,(F) Zebedee’s(G) sons, and two others of His disciples were together.

“I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.(H)

When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know it was Jesus.(I)

“Men,”[b] Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“No,” they answered.

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” He told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did,[c] and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. Therefore the disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”(J)

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around him[d] (for he was stripped) and plunged into the sea. But since they were not far from land (about 100 yards[e](K) away), the other disciples came in the boat,(L) dragging the net full of fish. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter got up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.(M)

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.

14 This was now the third time[f](N) Jesus appeared[g](O) to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Jesus’ Threefold Restoration of Peter

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,[h] do you love[i] Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Feed(P) My lambs,”(Q) He told him.

16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love(R) Me?”(S)

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Shepherd(T) My sheep,”(U) He told him.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love(V) Me?”

Peter was grieved(W) that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything!(X) You know that I love You.”

“Feed(Y) My sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “I assure you:(Z) When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to signify by what kind of death(AA) he would glorify God.[j](AB) After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”(AC)

Correcting a False Report

20 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved(AD) following them. That disciple was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray You?”(AE) 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord—what about him?”

22 “If I want him to remain until I come,”(AF) Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.”

23 So this report[k] spread to the brothers[l](AG) that this disciple would not die.(AH) Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Epilogue

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

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books[m] that would be written.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. John 21:1 The Sea of Galilee; Sea of Tiberias is used only in John; Jn 6:1,23
  2. John 21:5 Lit Children
  3. John 21:6 Lit they cast
  4. John 21:7 Lit he girded his garment
  5. John 21:8 Lit about 200 cubits
  6. John 21:14 The other two are in Jn 20:19-29.
  7. John 21:14 Lit was revealed (v. 1)
  8. John 21:15 Other mss read Simon, son of Jonah; Mt 16:17; Jn 1:42
  9. John 21:15 Two synonyms are translated love in this conversation: agapao, the first 2 times by Jesus (vv. 15-16); and phileo, the last time by Jesus (v. 17) and all 3 times by Peter (vv. 15-17). Peter’s threefold confession of love for Jesus corresponds to his earlier threefold denial of Jesus; Jn 18:15-18,25-27.
  10. John 21:19 Jesus predicts that Peter would be martyred. Church tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down.
  11. John 21:23 Lit this word
  12. John 21:23 The word brothers refers to the late first century Christian community.
  13. John 21:25 Lit scroll

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

21 After this Jesus (A)revealed himself (B)again to the disciples by (C)the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, (D)Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of (E)Cana in Galilee, (F)the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but (G)that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples (H)did not know that it was Jesus. (I)Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” (J)He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple (K)whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, (L)he put on his outer garment, for he was (M)stripped for work, and (N)threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards[a] off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, (O)“Come and (P)have breakfast.” Now (Q)none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and (R)took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 (S)This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had (T)finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, (U)“Simon, (V)son of John, (W)do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed (X)my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, (Y)“Tend (Z)my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him (AA)the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, (AB)you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed (AC)my sheep. 18 (AD)Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, (AE)you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show (AF)by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, (AG)“Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

20 Peter turned and saw (AH)the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, (AI)the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain (AJ)until (AK)I come, what is that to you? (AL)You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among (AM)the brothers[b] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple (AN)who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and (AO)we know (AP)that his testimony is true.

25 Now (AQ)there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that (AR)the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Footnotes

  1. John 21:8 Greek two hundred cubits; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  2. John 21:23 Or brothers and sisters

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: 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. “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)

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

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

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)

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. 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] 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.

Footnotes

  1. John 21:1 Greek Tiberias
  2. John 21:2 Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.
  3. John 21:8 Or about 90 meters

21 After meta this houtos Jesus Iēsous again palin revealed phaneroō himself heautou · ho to his ho disciples mathētēs by epi the ho Sea thalassa of ho Tiberias Tiberias, and de he revealed phaneroō himself in this way houtōs. Gathered there together homou were eimi Simon Simōn Peter Petros, · kai Thomas Thōmas · ho ( called legō the Twin Didymos), · kai Nathanael Nathanaēl · ho of apo Cana Kana in ho Galilee Galilaia, · kai the ho sons of ho Zebedee Zebedaios, and kai two dyo more allos of ek · ho his autos disciples mathētēs. Simon Simōn Peter Petros said legō to them autos, “ I am going hypagō fishing halieuō.” They said legō to him autos, “ We hēmeis will go erchomai · kai with syn you sy.” So they went exerchomai out and kai got embainō into eis the ho boat ploion, but kai that ekeinos · ho night nyx they caught piazō nothing oudeis.

Now de when morning prōia had dawned ēdē, there stood histēmi Jesus Iēsous on eis the ho shore aigialos, but mentoi the ho disciples mathētēs did not ou realize oida that hoti it was eimi Jesus Iēsous. So oun Jesus Iēsous called legō to them autos, · ho Boys paidion, you have echō not caught any tis fish prosphagion, have you?” They called apokrinomai back to him autos, “ No ou.” He ho · de said legō to them autos, “ Cast ballō your ho net diktyon to eis the ho right dexios side meros of the ho boat ploion and kai you will catch heuriskō some.” So oun they cast ballō it there, and kai then they were ischuō not ouketi able ischuō to haul in the net autos, because apo of the ho large plēthos number of ho fish ichthus. Then oun · ho that ekeinos disciple mathētēs whom hos Jesus Iēsous loved agapaō · ho said legō to ho Peter Petros, “ It is eimi the ho Lord kyrios!” When Simon Simōn Peter Petros heard akouō that hoti it was eimi the ho Lord kyrios, he tucked in diazōnnymi his ho outer ependytēs garment ( for gar he was eimi wearing nothing gymnos underneath ), and kai jumped ballō heautou into eis the ho sea thalassa. But de the ho other allos disciples mathētēs came erchomai with the ho boat ploiarion, pulling syrō the ho net diktyon full of ho fish ichthus, for gar they were eimi not ou far makran from apo · ho land , no more than hōs a hundred yards pēchus.

When hōs they had come apobainō ashore eis ho, · ho they saw blepō a charcoal anthrakia fire ready keimai with kai fish opsarion lying epikeimai on it, and kai bread artos. 10 Jesus Iēsous said legō to them autos, · ho Bring pherō some apo of the ho fish opsarion that hos you have just nyn caught piazō.” 11 So oun Simon Simōn Peter Petros went anabainō aboard and kai dragged the ho net diktyon ashore eis ho, · ho full mestos of large megas fish ichthus, one hundred hekaton and fifty-three pentēkonta treis of them; and kai although there were eimi so tosoutos many , the ho net diktyon was not ou torn schizō. 12 Jesus Iēsous said legō to them autos, · ho Come deute and have breakfast aristaō.” Now de none oudeis of the ho disciples mathētēs ventured tolmaō to ask exetazō him autos, “ Who tis are eimi you sy?” for they knew oida it was eimi the ho Lord kyrios. 13 Jesus Iēsous came erchomai and kai took lambanō the ho bread artos and kai gave didōmi it to them autos, and kai the ho fish opsarion as well homoiōs. 14 This houtos was now ēdē the third triton time that Jesus Iēsous was revealed phaneroō to his ho disciples mathētēs after he had been raised egeirō from ek the dead nekros.

15 When hote they had finished aristaō breakfast , Jesus Iēsous said legō to ho Simon Simōn Peter Petros, · ho Simon Simōn, son of John Iōannēs, do you love agapaō me egō more polys than these houtos others do?” He said legō to him autos, “ Yes nai, Lord kyrios, you sy know oida that hoti I love phileō you sy.” Jesus said legō to him autos, “ Take boskō care of · ho my egō lambs arnion.” 16 He said legō to him autos again palin, a second deuteros time , “ Simon Simōn, son of John Iōannēs, do you love agapaō me egō?” He said legō to him autos, “ Yes nai, Lord kyrios, you sy know oida that hoti I love phileō you sy.” Jesus said legō to him autos, “ Look poimainō after · ho my egō sheep probaton.” 17 He said legō to him autos the ho third triton time , “ Simon Simōn, son of John Iōannēs, do you love phileō me egō?” Peter Petros was distressed lypeō · ho that hoti Jesus had asked legō him autos for the ho third triton time , “ Do you love phileō me egō?” · kai He said legō to him autos, “ Lord kyrios, you sy know oida everything pas; you sy know ginōskō that hoti I love phileō you sy.” Jesus Iēsous said legō to him autos, · ho Take boskō care of · ho my egō sheep probaton. 18 I tell legō you sy the solemn truth amēn, when hote you were eimi young neos, you used to fasten zōnnymi on your seautou clothes and kai go peripateō wherever hopou you wanted thelō, but de when hotan you grow gēraskō old , you will stretch ekteinō out · ho your sy hands cheir, and kai someone else allos will fasten on your sy clothes zōnnymi and kai take pherō you where hopou you do not ou want thelō to go.” 19 Now de he said legō this houtos to indicate sēmainō by what kind poios of death thanatos Peter would glorify doxazō · ho God theos. And kai after saying legō this houtos he told legō him autos, “ Follow akoloutheō me egō!”

20 Peter Petros turned epistrephō · ho and saw blepō following akoloutheō them the ho disciple mathētēs whom hos Jesus Iēsous loved agapaō, · ho the one who hos · kai at en the ho supper deipnon had leaned anapiptō back against epi · ho Jesus stēthos autos and kai said legō, “ Master kyrios, who tis is eimi it that ho will betray paradidōmi you sy?” 21 So oun when Peter Petros saw him houtos, · ho he said legō to ho Jesus Iēsous, “ Lord kyrios, and de what about tis him houtos?” 22 Jesus Iēsous replied legō, · ho If ean I should want thelō him autos to remain menō alive until heōs I come erchomai back, what tis concern is that to pros you sy? You sy are to follow akoloutheō me egō!” 23 So oun this houtos word logos spread exerchomai · ho among eis the ho believers adelphos that hoti · ho this ekeinos disciple mathētēs would not ou die apothnēskō. But de Jesus Iēsous did not ou say legō to him autos · ho that hoti he would not ou die apothnēskō, but alla rather , “ If ean I should want thelō him autos to remain menō alive until heōs I come erchomai back, what tis concern is that to pros you sy?” 24 This houtos is eimi the ho disciple mathētēs who ho is bearing martyreō witness about peri these houtos things and kai who ho wrote graphō these houtos things , and kai we know oida that hoti his autos witness martyria is eimi true alēthēs. · ho

25 Now de there are eimi many polys other allos things which hos Jesus Iēsous did poieō · ho as well kai; if ean they were written graphō down one after kata the other heis, I imagine oiomai that not oude even the ho world kosmos itself autos could contain chōreō the books biblion that ho would be written graphō.