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John Chapter Twenty-one

 

John 21

The next chapter while rendering a fresh testimony to the resurrection of Jesus gives us-to verse 13-a picture of the millennial work of Christ; from thence to the end the especial portions of Peter and John in connection with their service to Christ. The application is limited to the earth for they had known Jesus on earth. It is Paul who will give us the heavenly position of Christ and the assembly. But he has no place here.

Led by Peter several of the apostles go a fishing. The Lord meets them in the same circumstances as those in which He found them at the beginning and reveals Himself to them in the same manner. John at once understands that it is the Lord. Peter with his usual energy casts himself into the sea to reach Him.

Observe here that we find ourselves again upon the ground of the historic Gospels-that is to say that the miracle of the draught of fishes identifies itself with the work of Christ on earth and is in the sphere of His former association with His disciples. It is Galilee not Bethany. It has not the usual character of the doctrine of this Gospel which presents the divine Person of Jesus outside all dispensation here below; raising our thoughts above all such subjects. Here (at the end of the Gospel and of the sketch given in chapter 20 of the result of the manifestation of His divine Person and of His work) the evangelist comes for the first time on the ground of the synoptics of the manifestation and coming fruits of Christ's connection with earth. Thus the application of the passage to this point is not merely an idea which the narrative suggests to the mind but it rests upon the general teaching of the word.

Still there is a notable difference between that which took place at the beginning and here. In the former scene the ships began to sink the nets broke. Not so here and the Holy Ghost marks this circumstance as distinctive: Christ's millennial work is not marred. He is there after His resurrection and that which He performs does not rest in itself on man's responsibility as to its effect here below: the net does not break. Also when the disciples bring the fish which they had caught the Lord has some already there. So shall it be on earth at the end. Before His manifestation He will have prepared a remnant for Himself on the earth; but after His manifestation He will gather a multitude also from the sea of nations.

Another idea presents itself. Christ is again as in companionship with His disciples. "Come " says He "and dine." There is no question here of heavenly things but of the renewing of His connection with His people in the kingdom. All this does not immediately belong to the subject of this Gospel which leads us higher. Accordingly it is introduced in a mysterious and symbolical manner. This appearance of Christ's is spoken of as His third manifestation. I doubt His manifestation on earth before His death being included in the number. I would rather apply it to that which first after His resurrection gave rise to the gathering together of the saints as an assembly; secondly to a revelation of Himself to the Jews after the manner of that which is presented in the Song of Songs; and lastly here to the public display of His power when He shall already have gathered the remnant together. His appearing like the lightning is outside all these things. Historically the three appearances were-the day of His resurrection; the following first day of the week; and His appearance at the sea of Galilee.

Afterwards in a passage full of ineffable grace He entrusts Peter with the care of His sheep (that is I doubt not of His Jewish sheep; he is the apostle of the circumcision) and leaves to John an indefinite period of sojourn upon earth. His words apply much more to their ministry than to their persons with the exception of one verse referring to Peter. But this demands a little more development.

The Lord begins with the full restoration of Peter's soul. He does not reproach him with his fault but judges the source of evil that produced it-self-confidence. Peter had declared that if all should deny Jesus yet he at least would not deny Him. The Lord therefore asks him "Lovest thou me more than do these?" and Peter is reduced to acknowledge that it required the omniscience of God to know that he who had boasted of having more love than all others for Jesus had really any affection for Him at all. And the question thrice repeated must indeed have searched the depths of his heart. Nor was it till the third time that he says "Thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." Jesus did not let his conscience go until he had come to this. Nevertheless the grace which did this for Peter's good-the grace which had followed him in spite of everything praying for him before he felt his need or had committed the fault-is perfect here also. For at the moment when it might be thought that at the utmost he would be re-admitted through divine forbearance the strongest testimony of grace is lavished upon him. When humbled by his fall and brought to entire dependence upon grace all-abounding grace displays itself. The Lord commits that which He most loved to him-the sheep whom He had just redeemed. He commits them to Peter's care. This is the grace which surmounts all that man is which is above all that man is; which consequently produces confidence not in self but in God as One whose grace can always be trusted in as being full of grace and perfect in that grace which is above everything and is always itself; grace which makes us able to accomplish the work of grace towards-whom?-man who needs it. It creates confidence in proportion to the measure in which it acts.

I think that the Lord's words apply to the sheep already known to Peter; and with whom only Jesus had been in daily connection; who would naturally be before His mind and that in the scene which we see this chapter puts before us-the sheep of the house of Israel.

It appears to me that there is progression in that which the Lord says to Peter. He asks "Lovest thou me more than do these?" Peter says "Thou knowest that I have affection for thee." Jesus replies "Feed my lambs." The second time He says only "Lovest thou me?" omitting the comparison between Peter and the rest and his former pretension. Peter repeats the declaration of his affection. Jesus says to him "Shepherd my sheep." The third time He says "Hast thou affection for me?" using Peter's own expression; and on Peter's replying as we have seen seizing this use of his words by the Lord He says "Feed my sheep." The links between Peter and Christ known on earth made him fit to pasture the flock of the Jewish remnant-to feed the lambs by shewing them the Messiah as He had been and to act as a shepherd in guiding those that were more advanced and in supplying them with food.

But the grace of the loving Saviour did not stop here. Peter might still feel the sorrow of having missed such an opportunity of confessing the Lord at the critical moment. Jesus assures him that if he had failed in doing so of his own will he should be allowed to do it by the will of God; and as when young he girded himself others should gird him when old and carry him whither he would not. It should be given him by the will of God to die for the Lord as he had formerly declared himself ready to do in his own strength. Now also that Peter was humbled and brought entirely under grace-that he knew he had no strength-that he felt his dependence on the Lord his utter inefficiency if he trusted to his own power-now I repeat the Lord calls Peter to follow Him; which he had pretended to do when the Lord had told him he could not. It was this that his heart desired. Feeding those whom Jesus had continued to feed until His death he should see Israel reject everything even as Christ had seen them do; and his own work end even as Christ had seen His work end (the judgment ready to fall and beginning at the house of God). Finally what he had pretended to do and could not he would now do-follow Christ to prison and to death.

Then comes the history of the disciple whom Jesus loved. John having no doubt heard the call addressed to Peter follows also himself; and Peter linked with him as we have seen by their common love to the Lord inquires what should happen to him likewise. The Lord's answer announces the portion and ministry of John but as it appears to me in connection with the earth. But the Lord's enigmatical expression is nevertheless as remarkable as it is important: "If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee?" They thought in consequence that John would not die. The Lord did not say so-a warning not to ascribe a meaning to His words instead of receiving one; and at the same time shewing our need of the Holy Spirit's help; for the words literally might be so taken. Giving heed myself I trust to this warning I will say what I think to be the meaning of the Lord's words which I do not doubt to be so-a meaning which gives a key to many other expressions of the same kind.

In the narrative of the Gospel we are in connection with the earth (that is the connection of Jesus with the earth). As planted on earth at Jerusalem the assembly as the house of God is formally recognised as taking the place of the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem. The history of the assembly as thus formally established as a centre on earth ended with the destruction of Jerusalem. The remnant saved by the Messiah was no longer to be in connection with Jerusalem the centre of the gathering of the Gentiles. In this sense the destruction of Jerusalem put an end judicially to the new system of God upon earth-a system promulgated by Peter (Acts 3); with regard to which Stephen declared to the Jews their resistance to the Holy Ghost and was sent as it were as a messenger after Him who was gone to receive the kingdom and to return; while Paul-elected from among those enemies of the good news still addressed to the Jews by the Holy Ghost after the death of Christ and separated from Jews and Gentiles in order to be sent to the latter-performs a new work that was hidden from the prophets of old namely the gathering out of a heavenly assembly without distinction of Jew or Gentile.

The destruction of Jerusalem put an end to one of these systems and to the existence of Judaism according to the law and the promises leaving only the heavenly assembly. John remained-the last of the twelve-until this period and after Paul in order to watch over the assembly as established on that footing that is as the organised and earthly frame-work (responsible in that character) of the testimony of God and the subject of His government on the earth. But this is not all. In his ministry John went on to the end to the coming of Christ in judgment to the earth; and he has linked the judgment of the assembly as the responsible witness on earth with the judgment of the world when God shall resume His connection with the earth in government (the testimony of the assembly being finished and it having been caught up according to its proper character to be with the Lord in heaven).

Thus the Apocalypse presents the judgment of the assembly on earth as the formal witness for the truth; and then passes on to God's resumption of the government of the earth in viewof the establishment of the Lamb upon the throne and the setting aside of the power of evil. The heavenly character of the assembly is only found there when its members are exhibited on thrones as kings and priests and when the marriage of the Lamb takes place in heaven. The earth-after the Seven Churches-has no longer the heavenly testimony. It is not the subject either in the seven assemblies or in the properly so-called prophetic part. Thus taking the assemblies as such in those days the assembly according to Paul is not seen there. Taking the assemblies as descriptions of the assembly the subject of God's government on earth we have it until its final rejection; and the history is continuous and the prophetic part immediately connected with the end of the assembly: only in place of it we have the world and then the Jews. [1] The coming of Christ therefore which is spoken of at the end of the Gospel is His manifestation on earth; and John who lived in person until the close of all that was introduced by the Lord in connection with Jerusalem continues here in his ministry until the manifestation of Christ to the world.

In John then we have two things. On the one hand his ministry as far as connected with dispensation and with the ways of God does not go beyond that which is earthly: the coming of Christ is His manifestation to complete those ways and to establish the government of God. On the other hand he links us with the Person of Jesus who is above and outside all dispensations and all the dealings of God save as being the manifestation of God Himself. John does not enter upon the ground of the assembly as Paul sets it forth. It is either Jesus personally or the relations of God with the earth. [2] His epistle presents the reproduction of the life of Christ in ourselves guarding us thus from all pretensions of perverse teachers. But by these two parts of the truth we have a precious sustainment of faith given to us when all that belongs to the body of testimony may fail: Jesus personally the object of faith in whom we know God; the life itself of God reproduced in us as being quickened by Christ. This is for ever true and this is eternal life if we were alone without the assembly on earth: and it leads us over its ruins in possession of that which is essential and of that which will abide for ever. The government of God will decide all the rest: only it is our privilege and duty to maintain Paul's part of the testimony of God as long as through grace we can.

Remark also that the work of Peter and Paul is that of gathering together whether it be in circumcision or the Gentiles. John is conservative maintaining that which is essential in eternal life. He relates the judgment of God in connection with the world but as a subject that is outside his own relations with God which are given as an introduction and exordium to the Apocalypse. He follows Christ when Peter is called because although Peter was occupied as Christ had been with the call of the Jews John-without being called to that work-followed Him on the same ground. The Lord explains it as we have seen.

Verses 24 25 are a kind of inscription on the book. John has not related all that Jesus did but that which revealed Him as everlasting life. As to His works they could not be numbered.

Here thanks be to God are these four precious books laid open as far as God has enabled me to do so in their great principles. Meditation on their contents in detail I must leave to each individual heart assisted by the mighty operation of the Holy Ghost; for if studied in detail one might almost say with the apostle that the world would not contain the books that should be written. May God in His grace lead souls into the enjoyment of the inexhaustible streams of grace and truth in Jesus which they contain!

Footnotes

[1] Thus we have in the ministerial life and in the teaching of Peter and John the whole religious earthly history from the beginning to the end; commencing with the Jews in continuation of the relations of Christ with them traversing the whole christian epoch and finding itself again after the close of the earthly history of the assembly on the ground of God's relationship to the world (comprising the Jewish remnant) in view of the introduction of the First-born into the world (the last glorious event terminating the history which began with His rejection). Paul is on very different ground. He sees the assembly as the body of Christ united to Him in heaven.

[2] John presents the Father manifested in the Son God declared by the Son in the bosom of the Father and that withal as eternal life-God to us and life. Paul is employed to reveal our presentation to God in Him. Though each alludes in passing to the other point one is characterised by the presentation of God to us and eternal life given the other by our presentation to God.

── John DarbySynopsis of John

 

John 21

Chapter Contents

Christ appears to his disciples. (1-14) His discourse with Peter. (15-19) Christ's declaration concerning John. (20-24) The conclusion. (25)

Commentary on John 21:1-14

(Read John 21:1-14)

Christ makes himself known to his people usually in his ordinances; but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when employed in their business. It is good for the disciples of Christ to be together in common conversation and common business. The hour for their entering upon action was not come. They would help to maintain themselves and not be burdensome to any. Christ's time of making himself known to his people is when they are most at a loss. He knows the temporal wants of his people and has promised them not only grace sufficient but food convenient. Divine Providence extends itself to things most minute and those are happy who acknowledge God in all their ways. Those who are humble diligent and patient though their labours may be crossed shall be crowned; they sometimes live to see their affairs take a happy turn after many struggles. And there is nothing lost by observing Christ's orders; it is casting the net on the right side of the ship. Jesus manifests himself to his people by doing that for them which none else can do and things which they looked not for. He would take care that those who left all for him should not want any good thing. And latter favours are to bring to mind former favours that eaten bread may not be forgotten. He whom Jesus loved was the first that said It is the Lord. John had cleaved most closely to his Master in his sufferings and knew him soonest. Peter was the most zealous and reached Christ the first. How variously God dispenses his gifts and what difference there may be between some believers and others in the way of their honouring Christ yet they all may be accepted of him! Others continue in the ship drag the net and bring the fish to shore and such persons ought not to be blamed as worldly; for they in their places are as truly serving Christ as the others. The Lord Jesus had provision ready for them. We need not be curious in inquiring whence this came; but we may be comforted at Christ's care for his disciples. Although there were so many and such great fishes yet they lost none nor damaged their net. The net of the gospel has enclosed multitudes yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to God.

Commentary on John 21:15-19

(Read John 21:15-19)

Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name as if he had forfeited that of Peter through his denying him. He now answered Thou knowest that I love thee; but without professing to love Jesus more than others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called into question when we ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins even pardoned sins renews the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity Peter solemnly appealed to Christ as knowing all things even the secrets of his heart. It is well when our falls and mistakes make us more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it behoves us to inquire with earnest preserving prayer to the heart-searching God to examine and prove us whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man whatever death he dies to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this to die to the Lord at the word of the Lord?

Commentary on John 21:20-24

(Read John 21:20-24)

Sufferings pains and death will appear formidable even to the experienced Christian; but in the hope to glorify God to leave a sinful world and to be present with his Lord he becomes ready to obey the Redeemer's call and to follow Him through death to glory. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should mind their own duty and not be curious about future events either as to themselves or others. Many things we are apt to be anxious about which are nothing to us. Other people's affairs are nothing to us to intermeddle in; we must quietly work and mind our own business. Many curious questions are put about the counsels of God and the state of the unseen world as to which we may say What is this to us? And if we attend to the duty of following Christ we shall find neither heart nor time to meddle with that which does not belong to us. How little are any unwritten traditions to be relied upon! Let the Scripture be its own interpreter and explain itself; as it is in a great measure its own evidence and proves itself for it is light. See the easy setting right such mistakes by the word of Christ. Scripture language is the safest channel for Scripture truth; the words which the Holy Ghost teaches 1 Corinthians 2:13. Those who cannot agree in the same terms of art and the application of them may yet agree in the same Scripture terms and to love one another.

Commentary on John 21:25

(Read John 21:25)

Only a small part of the actions of Jesus had been written. But let us bless God for all that is in the Scriptures and be thankful that there is so much in so small a space. Enough is recorded to direct our faith and regulate our practice; more would have been unnecessary. Much of what is written is overlooked much forgotten and much made the matter of doubtful disputes. We may however look forward to the joy we shall receive in heaven from a more complete knowledge of all Jesus did and said as well as of the conduct of his providence and grace in his dealings with each of us. May this be our happiness. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name 31.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on John

 

John 21

Verse 4

[4] But when the morning was now come Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

They knew not that it was Jesus — Probably their eyes were holden.

Verse 6

[6] And he said unto them Cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find. They cast therefore and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

They were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes — This was not only a demonstration of the power of our Lord but a kind supply for them and their families and such as might be of service to them when they waited afterward in Jerusalem. It was likewise an emblem of the great success which should attend them as fishers of men.

Verse 7

[7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord he girt his fisher's coat unto him (for he was naked ) and did cast himself into the sea.

Peter girt on his upper coat (for he was stript of it before) - Reverencing the presence of his Lord: and threw himself into the sea - To swim to him immediately. The love of Christ draws men through fire and water.

Verse 12

[12] Jesus saith unto them Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

Come ye and dine — Our Lord needed not food.

And none presumed — To ask a needless question.

Verse 14

[14] This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples after that he was risen from the dead.

The third time — That he appeared to so many of the apostles together.

Verse 15

[15] So when they had dined Jesus saith to Simon Peter Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him Feed my lambs.

Simon son of Jonah — The appellation Christ had given him when be made that glorious confession Matthew 16:16 the remembrance of which might make him more deeply sensible of his late denial of him whom he had so confessed.

Lovest thou me? — Thrice our Lord asks him who had denied him thrice: more than these - Thy fellow disciples do? - Peter thought so once Matthew 26:33 but he now answers only - I love thee without adding more than these.

Thou knowest — He had now learnt by sad experience that Jesus knew his heart.

My lambs — The weakest and tenderest of the flock.

Verse 17

[17] He saith unto him the third time Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time Lovest thou me? And he said unto him Lord thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him Feed my sheep.

Because he said the third time — As if he did not believe him.

Verse 18

[18] Verily verily I say unto thee When thou wast young thou girdedst thyself and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

When thou art old — He lived about thirty-six years after this: another shall gird thee - They were tied to the cross till the nails were driven in; and shall carry thee - With the cross: whither thou wouldest not - According to nature; to the place where the cross was set up.

Verse 19

[19] This spake he signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this he saith unto him Follow me.

By what death he should glorify God — It is not only by acting but chiefly by suffering that the saints glorify God.

Follow me — Showing hereby likewise what death he should die.

Verse 20

[20] Then Peter turning about seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper and said Lord which is he that betrayeth thee?

Peter turning — As he was walking after Christ.

Seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following him — There is a peculiar spirit and tenderness in this plain passage. Christ orders St. Peter to follow him in token of his readiness to be crucified in his cause. St. John stays not for the call; he rises and follows him too; but says not one word of his own love or zeal. He chose that the action only should speak this; and even when he records the circumstance he tells us not what that action meant but with great simplicity relates the fact only. If here and there a generous heart sees and emulates it be it so; but he is not solicitous that men should admire it. It was addressed to his beloved Master and it was enough that he understood it.

Verse 22

[22] Jesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee? follow thou me.

If I will that he tarry — Without dying till I come - To judgment. Certainly he did tarry till Christ came to destroy Jerusalem. And who can tell when or how he died? What is that to thee? - Who art to follow me long before.

Verse 23

[23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him He shall not die; but If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee?

The brethren — That is the Christians. Our Lord himself taught them that appellation John 20:17.

Yet Jesus did not say to him that he should not die — Not expressly. And St. John himself at the time of writing his Gospel seems not to have known clearly whether he should die or not.

Verse 24

[24] This is the disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

This is the disciple who testifieth — Being still alive after he had wrote.

And we know that his testimony is true — The Church added these words to St. John's Gospel as Tertius did those to St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans Romans 16:22.

Verse 25

[25] And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

If they were to be written particularly — Every fact and all the circumstances of it.

I suppose — This expression which softens the hyperbole shows that St. John wrote this verse.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on John

 

Chapter 21. Peter's Love Tried

First Love the Lord
Then Work

I. Miracle of the Second Catch

  1. Disciples Labor in Vain
  2. The Lord Appear
  3. Three Signs

II. Do You Love the Lord More?

  1. Feed My Lambs
  2. Feed My Sheep
  3. Feed My Flock

III. What about This Man?

  1. Compare with John
  2. What Is That to You?
  3. you Follow Me
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament