The Bible — World English Bible
John 21
In brief
John 21 is the last chapter of the Gospel. After the resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias: an abundant catch after an empty night, then a meal he prepares himself. He then restores Peter, who had denied him, through three questions about his love and a mission: to feed his sheep. Jesus tells Peter what his end will be and repeats the call from the beginning: follow me. The chapter closes with the testimony of the beloved disciple.
The chapter in 4 parts
1After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.
2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
3Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.
4But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.
5Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”
6He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.
7That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.
8But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.
9So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.
10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.
12Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
13Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
14This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.
15So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
18Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
19Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
20Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”
21Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”
23This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”
24This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
25There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
Key verses
He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.
After a night of catching nothing, the disciples obey a word and cast the net on the right side. The abundance comes from listening, not from extra effort.
So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Jesus asks Peter the same question three times, and Peter had denied him three times. Each answer is followed by a mission, which shows that restoration comes through trust given back.
Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus tells Peter the kind of death by which he will glorify God, then says: follow me. These are the words of the first call, repeated after failure.
Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”
Peter worries about the fate of the beloved disciple. Jesus tells him not to compare himself and to follow his own path.
Bible verses to meditate on
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Frequently asked questions about John 21
Why does Jesus ask Peter three times “do you love me?”
Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night of his arrest. The three questions allow him to take his place again publicly, once for each denial. Each answer is followed by a charge: feed the lambs, then tend the sheep. Jesus does not simply forgive, he entrusts a mission to him again.
What does “Feed my sheep” mean?
Jesus entrusts Peter with the responsibility of caring for those who belong to him: feeding them with teaching, protecting them, walking with them. The image is that of a shepherd. It is tied to love for Jesus: caring for his flock is the way to show that you love him.
What does “You follow me” mean in John 21:22?
Peter has just learned what awaits him and looks at the beloved disciple, asking what will become of him. Jesus answers that this is not his concern and brings him back to what is essential: following Jesus. Each person has their own path, and comparison distracts from personal obedience.
Articles quoting John 21
World English Bible translation — public domain.