Click here to download the April 16 Sunday school lesson.
Spring Quarter: Jesus Calls Us
Unit 2: Experiencing the Resurrection
Lesson 7: Week of April 16, 2023
By Dr. Hal Brady
Lesson Scriptures: John 21:1-14
Key Verse: John 21:12
Lesson Aims
- List key points of the disciples’ third encounter with the resurrected Christ.
- Provide reasons as to why the disciples did or did not recognize Jesus.
- Write a prayer asking for eyes that recognize Jesus at work or play this week.
Some scholars question as to whether John 21 was originally a part of John’s Gospel. The evidence for this can be summarized as being based on (1) the fact that John 20:30-31 contains a natural conclusion to the Gospel; (2) perceived differences in language, style, and content compared to the rest of the Gospel; and (3) a supposed divergence from the story John told before chapter 21. Despite these observations, those who don’t think John 21 is original generally argue that it was added by close associates of John very shortly after the Gospel was completed.
However, against the idea that John 21 is not original is the fact that the earliest manuscripts we have all include the epilogue. There is no reason to believe that the Gospel ever circulated without it. And such epilogues can be found in other ancient writings, showing that this is not a particularly remarkable literary characteristic. Arguments about supposed differences in language and style can be explained by differences in the material that makes up the story. The epilogue also ties up loose ends of the Gospel, particularly Peter’s redemption after his denial of Jesus and adds further evidence of John’s faithful witnessing of Jesus’ life and teaching. Further the epilogue fulfills Jesus’ promise that he would meet the disciples in Galilee (Matthew 26:31-35; 28:5-10).
As the late Fred Craddock noted in his commentary on John, “While it is clear that this chapter (21) is not part of the main fabric of the Gospel it is also clear that this chapter is part of the received text and no less “Scripture” than chapters 1-20.”
- Gone Fishin’
John 21:1-6
While the Resurrected Jesus appeared to his followers in Jerusalem according to John and Luke (Luke 24, John 20), the other Gospels point to Galilee as the place where they will meet him. Mark 16:7 (also Matthew 28:7) records the word of an angel, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” This suggests no contradiction. The disciples have simply been instructed to return to what had been their “base” throughout Jesus’ ministry and there receive further instruction. In John’s narrative, Jesus appeared already on Easter day and then eight days later, moreover, he appears a third (and final) time on the shore of Galilee. John 21:14 helpfully numbers these appearances.
In verse two, John identifies some but not all of the seven disciples who had been fishing all night. The obvious are Simon Peter, Thomas (Didymus), Nathanael, James and John. The two unidentified disciples are generally thought to be Andrew and Philip because Andrew probably could have gone with his brother Peter, and Philip is usually identified with Nathanael. Not all, but most commentators believe Nathanael was also called Bartholomew, one of the Twelve. This is the first mention of Nathanael in the Gospel since Chapter 1.
In the third verse, Peter announces his decision, “I am going fishing.” Since he was the leader, the others went with him. Some have considered Peter’s plan to go fishing an abandonment of his discipleship. However, this is not a necessary conclusion, and several indicators suggest it was not the case. First, the disciples’ presence is Galilee, itself demonstrates obedience to Jesus.
Second, it seems so out of place that Peter could be opting out of discipleship after the post-resurrection events he had been privy to. He was the first disciples to go inside the empty tomb (John 20:6-7). Later, that evening Jesus came to the disciples in a locked room; he did so again one week later (20:19-20, 26-27). Peter’s actions and presence during Jesus’ appearance point to renewed dedication.
Third, those who accuse Peter of discarding his apostleship must assert the same for the disciples who went fishing with him on this particular occasion. Yet no one seems inclined to make this assertion.
Fourth, multiple times Jesus had said that he was going to his Father (example: John 14:12, 32; 16:29), but he had given little specific context about what the disciples’ post-resurrection role would be. But he had told them he would meet them in Galilee—whether because Jesus knew they would naturally go home to fish, or as a sort of permission to visit home before receiving their commission.
Fifth and finally, Jesus had not told them exactly when he would appear. While home in Galilee, waiting on Jesus to come, there was no reason for Peter and the others to sit around idle. They did better to work as they waited—rather than to stare out a window and twiddle their thumbs.
Next, we are told in 3:b that the disciples went that night, got into the boat but caught nothing. Fisherman typically worked at “night” on the Sea of Galilee (see Luke 5:5). Fish would come up to the surface to feed at night then dive deeper as the sun warmed the surface of the water throughout the day. This rendered nets useless as they did not sink far enough into the water to catch fish in the warm daylit water.
Now Mary Magdalene at the tomb and, later, other disciples on the road to Emmaus did not immediately recognize “Jesus” (Luke 24,13-16, 30-31; John 20:13-16). How could all these people not recognize Jesus when faced with him? In the previous examples, it could be that something about Jesus’ resurrected appearance had shifted, making him less immediately identifiable by physical sight. Or perhaps because these people were not expecting to see Jesus after he had died, their eyes simply did not accept the clear evidence before them.
For these disciples in John 21:4, the distance and quality of light could be contributing factors. “Early in the morning” does not necessarily mean that the sun had risen; it could be that the light of predawn, enough to see nearby but not in detail far off. Furthermore, the disciples were tired from their work night, a condition that does not facilitate clear sight.
Years ago when I was serving as pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Clayton, Georgia, along with others, I had the privilege of starting “Boat Church” on Lake Rabun. It was a 30-minute worship service we offered very early on Sunday mornings from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Seeing these boats coming out of the coves in the mist and fog on Sunday mornings was a beautiful sight indeed, but we couldn’t recognize these friends in those boats till the mist lifted. That was the closest I ever got to those disciples failing to see clearly on the morning we are describing.
As Jesus shouted out to his disciples, He called them “children.” Greco-Roman literature often used “children” (a more literal translation of “friends”) in the context of education. It was a term of endearment from teacher to student that communicated affection deeper than mere collegiality (see 1 John 2:18). In choosing this word, Jesus positioned himself as a benevolent authority over the disciples and a caring mentor.
After a previously unsuccessful night of fishing, Jesus met Simon Peter one morning (read Luke 5:1-11). On that occasion, Jesus commanded Peter to go cast the nets for a catch, at which time Peter and the sons of Zebedee caught so many fish that the nets began to break. Why these disciples obeyed now, when the night was over—whether they had an inkling this was Jesus, or they remembered that other incident of abundant fish—is unclear. But the resulting “large number of fish” is the same.
- “It is the Lord”
John 21:7-14
John 21:20 & 24 indicate that “the disciple whom Jesus loved” was the author of this Gospel. Early church tradition unanimously identified this as John. Moreover, multiple other factors indicate this disciple as John, the son of Zebedee. And elsewhere John appears in tandem with Peter, as he does here (Luke 22:8; John 20:2; Acts 3:1-4:23, 8:14).
The Greek word translated “Lord” has a range of uses. It could be the polite address “sir” (John 12:21), but it could also designate the “lord” over a slave (15:20). The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament (utilized this Greek word to translate “Yahweh,” a use reflected in New Testament references to God (6:68-69; 11:27; etc). So, who did that disciple think the man on the shore was? Simon Peter’s quick action makes it clear that both fishermen understood the man on shore to be Jesus.
The beloved disciple knew it was Jesus on the beach, and when Peter realized it, he immediately jumped into the water. Peter was not actually naked. He was girthed with a loin cloth as the fisherman changed when he plied his trade. Now it was the Jewish law that to offer a greeting was a religious act, and to carry out a religious act a man must be fully clothed. So, Peter, before he set out to come to Jesus, put on his fishermen’s tunic, for he wished to be the first to greet his Lord.
The image of Peter’s dressing himself in order to jump into the water paints a comical picture of his eagerness; he is caught between his overwhelming desire to greet Jesus with proper respect (that is, fully clothed) and his eagerness to greet him immediately.
Peter’s eagerness reminds me of my own experience the day the District Superintendent gave me the keys to my first appointment church in The United Methodist Church. After a four-year study with the call to preach, I was so excited. I grabbed those keys, drove as fast as I could and wound up at the wrong church. In complete embarrassment I drove back and got further instruction. Even in his own zealousness, Peter did much better than I did.
None of the other disciples responded with Peter’s impulsiveness. John tells us that the other men turn their backs toward shore and slowly drag the bursting cast net (21:8). Rather than anchoring at a coastal harbor, they likely drop their stone anchor when the water becomes shallow, as it does quickly on the Northern Coast. Later, Peter runs out to the net, frees it from the boat, and pulls it to shore.
In verse 9a we read, “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there…” Peter had stood beside a “fire of burning coals there…” Peter had stood beside “a fire of burning coals” when he denied Jesus (John 18:18). It was here that Jesus would reaffirm Peter (21:15-19).
Verse 9 continues with these words, “with fish and oil, and some bread.” The presence of “fish and bread” likely reminded the disciples of when Jesus converted five loaves and two fish into a filling lunch for five thousand. After all, they had no idea where he had procured them from this time! But there was Jesus, and there were the bread and fish. They needed no other explanation. Jesus’ presence and power were sufficient.
In Judaism, an abundant catch was a sign of God’s favor and blessing. This is precisely what Jesus has done. He blesses them further by greeting them with a fire and roasting fish together with fresh bread (the mainstays of a first-century meal in Galilee). Peter is told to haul the 153 netted fish to shore not to supplement Jesus’ breakfast, but to preserve the catch as any responsible fisherman would do. Some of the main harbors in Galilee had stone catch-bins where nearly caught fish can be kept fresh for later cleaning. Peter either drops the fish into one of these or heaps them in the shallows.
Whenever “Jesus” ate with “the disciples,” they recognized him (example: Luke 24:30-32, 40-43). In John 6:35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Both the miracle of the fish and Jesus sitting down to dine with these fishermen confirmed Jesus’ identify as the Lord.
Just a word about the number 153 before proceeding. Though many have tried to find special significance in that number, it’s more important as an indication that “so many fish were caught,” in contrast with the “nothing” caught earlier. There is a sense of marvel that “the net” did not break (contrast Luke 5:6-7). This detail points not only to Jesus’ power to give abundantly but also to provide in such a way that his followers benefit. Nothing is lost and nothing is broken when Jesus gives.
The fellowship of the meal in verse 13 confirms the intimacy of the relationship between the risen Lord and his disciples (Luke 24:30-35), where the meal is the moment of recognition. The emphasis is on Jesus’ presence and the sharing of life that is significant in sharing of a meal (John 6:26-40). The resurrected Jesus would send the spirit to be present with his disciples as they embarked on the mission he would give them (John 15:26; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4).
The purpose of this miracle was for Jesus to reveal Himself (John 21:1), which is more than just an appearance so that they could see him. This appearance was for them to see and understand the resurrection. What He revealed in the previous appearance they apparently did not fully understand. The first Sunday they still had doubts (John 20:25; Mark 16:11-13), and on the second Sunday they were upbraided for their unbelief (Mark 16:14). Also, when the eleven disciples met Jesus on a mountain in Galilee “some were doubtful” (Matthew 28:17). However, this revelation of Christ was so extensive that none of the disciples had to ask anything, “knowing that it was the Lord” (John 21:12).
A well-known Methodist minister of notable influence said he was first challenged in younger days by his bishop’s words. His bishop said, “Be very sure of Jesus.” That was becoming the story of the disciples at the Sea of Galilee, and that also should be the story for us wherever we are—Be very sure of Jesus.
The grave could not contain “Jesus;” he had risen just as he said. And with this meal, Jesus was preparing his disciples for the world he would leave for them—and also for us!
Action Plan
- Which spiritual practices help you to persist when your efforts seem to end in failure?
- What groups are you a part of in which all of you intentionally seek time with Jesus?
- How would you explain the bishop’s statement, “Be very sure of Jesus”? How can that happen in a person’s life?
Resources For This Lesson
- “2022-2023 NIV Standard Lesson Commentary, Uniform Lesson, International Sunday School Lessons,” pages 281-288.
- “The NIV Application Commentary (John)”, by Gary M. Burge, pages 578-586.
- “The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX, Luke John, pages 856-858.
- “John Believe and Live” by Elmer Towns, pages 211-216.
Dr. Hal Brady is a retired pastor who continues to present the Good News of Jesus Christ and offer encouragement in a fresh and vital way though Hal Brady Ministries (halbradyministries.com).
