Bible Commentary

John 21

John 21 — Overview

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

The evangelist seemed to have concluded his history with the foregoing chapter; but (as St. Paul sometimes in his epistles), new matter occurring, he begins again. He had said that there were many other signs which Jesus did for the proof of his resurrection. And in this chapter he mentions one of these many, which was Christ's appearance to some of his disciples at the sea of Tiberias, in which we have an account, I. How he discovered himself to them as they were fishing, filled their net, and then very familiarly came and dined with them upon what they had caught, ver. 1-14. II. What discourse he had with Peter after dinner, 1. Concerning himself, ver. 15-19. 2. Concerning John, ver. 20-23. III. The solemn conclusion of this gospel, ver. 24, 25. It is strange that any should suppose that this chapter was added by some other hand, when it is expressly said (ver. 24) that the disciple whom Jesus loved is he which testifieth of these things.

Christ with His Disciples.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for John 21

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

John 21 — OverviewJohn 21 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeJohn 21:1, Christ appearing again to his disciples is known of them by the great draught of fishes; John 21:12, He dines with them; John 21:15, earnestly commands Peter to feed his lambs and sheep; John 21:18, foretells…John 21 — OverviewJohn 21 · Little Bible — for children and parentsAfter Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to seven of His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. They had fished all night and caught nothing, but Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side — and they caught 153…John 21:1-14John 21:1-14 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have here an account of Christ's appearance to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias. Now, 1. Let us compare this appearance with those that went before, In those Christ showed himself to his disciples when they…John 21:1John 21:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryAfter these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. The opening formula is one often adopted by John (see particularly John 2:12; John 5:1, John 5:14; John 6:1); considerable…John 21:1John 21:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryA new manifestation on an old scene. I. THE OLD SCENE. This verse gets all its suggestiveness just as we remember the place which Jesus chose for this particular manifestation. Persons and time and place were all…John 21:1-8John 21:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe fishing in Galilee. This chapter is an appendix to the Gospel written by the Apostle John. I. THE SCENE OF OUR LORD'S NEXT APPEARANCE TO THE DISCIPLES. "After these things Jesus showed himself again to the…