John 21

Jesus's Appearance to the Disciples in Galilee

1 After those [things] Jesus again revealed himself to the disciples upon the sea of Tiberias; now he revealed himself thus. 2 There were together Simon Peter and Thomas the [one] being called Didymus and Nathanael the [one] from Cana of Galilee and the [sons] of Zebedee and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter says to them: I go to be fishing. They say to him: We also come with you. They went out and embarked into the boat, and in that night they caught nothing.

4 Now when dawn already came to pass Jesus stood upon the shore, though the disciples did not know that it is Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore says to them: Children, don't you have any fish? They answered him: No.

6 So he said to them: Throw the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find. They therefore threw [the net], and were not strong enough to pull1 it from the multitude of fish.

7 The disciple whom Jesus agape-loved therefore says to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter therefore having heard that it is the Lord, put on his outer garment, for he was naked, and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from the land but [were] [about] two hundred cubits2, dragging the net of fish.

9 As therefore they came to the land, they see [a] coal fire lying, and fish lying upon [it] and bread. 10 Jesus says to them: Bring some of the fish that you now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up and pulled1 the net onto the land full of large fish, one hundred fifty three. And being so many [fish] it didn't tear the net. 12 Jesus says to them: Come, eat. None of the disciples dared to ask him: "Who are you?" knowing that it is the Lord. 13 Jesus comes and takes the bread and gives [it] to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This already Jesus thrice to the disciples was revealed, having been raised from the dead.

Peter's Restoration

15 When therefore they had eaten breakfast, Jesus says 3 to Simon Peter: Simon [son] of John, do you agape-love me more than these4? He says to them: Yes, Lord, you know that I philia-love you. He says to him: Be tending5 my lambs. 16 He says to him again [a] second time: Simon [son] of John, do you agape-love me? He says to him: Yes Lord, you know that I philia-love you. He says to him: Be shepherding6 my sheep. 17 He says to him the third time: Simon [son] of John, do you philia-love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time: Do you philia-love me? And he said to him: You know everything, you know that I philia-love you. Jesus says to him: Be tending5 my sheep. 18 Truly truly I say to you, when you were young, you were girding yourself and were walking [about] where you were wishing. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will gird you and take [you] where you do not wish. 19 Now he said this indicating by what sort of death he will glorify God. And having said this he says to them: Be following me.

Peter and the Disciple Jesus Loved

20 Peter turning sees the disciple whom Jesus agape-loved following, who also reclined at dinner upon his breast and said: Lord, who is the [one] delivering you up? 21 Peter therefore seeing this [one] says to Jesus: Lord, but what [about] this [one]? 22 Jesus says to him: If I wish him to be remaining until I come, what [is it] to you? You be following me. 23 This word therefore went out to the brothers that this disciple will not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he will not die, but: If I wish him to be remaining until I come, what [is it] to you?

A Final Note

24 This is the disciple witnessing concerning these [things] and the [one] having written these [things], and we know that his witness is true. 25 But there are also many other [things] that Jesus did which if it be written in one, I do not suppose the world itself could hold the scrolls written.

1ELKUO (ελκυω) `Tug', `draw'; of persons it can mean `compel'. It is used of a magnet (by Eubulos). It is a powerful impulse. It occurs in John.6:44, John.12:32, John.18:10, John.21:11, Acts.16:19

2cubit = 18 inches

3 Note that Jesus asks Peter "do you love me?" three times—the same number of times that Peter denied him.

4 Who `these' (TOUTON (τoυτoν) are is ambiguous. The options are:

  1. TOUTON (`these') can be understood as neuter, "these things", referring to the boats, nets—being a fisherman. In other words: "Do you agape-love me more than being a fisherman"?

  2. TOUTON (`these') refers to the other disciples, meaning "Do you agape-love me more than you love these other disciples?"

  3. Or TOUTON (`these') refers to the other disciples in the sense of "Do you agape-love me more than these other disciples do?"

5BOSKO (βoσκω) to tend to the needs of animals: to herd, tend, graze

6Verb form of 'sheperd' as in "I am the good sheperd" John.10:15 version 3.85.
On 08 Sep 2009, 19:29.