A Tour Through John, Lesson 34

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.As noted in the last message, it is possible that the Gospel of John concluded with chapter 20, and that chapter 21 is an addition, either by the original author or by someone later on.20:30-31 seems a natural conclusion, and perhaps a better conclusion than 21:25.The miraculous catch related here seems to be another "sign," whereas 20:30 gives the impression that no more would be related.This isn't to say these events didn't happen, only that their inclusion here may have taken place after the first version (or draft) of the gospel.Whatever the case, no point of theology is affected.21 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.In this chapter is one additional appearance of Jesus.Seven disciples are together (v.2), and Peter suggests a night of fishing.In no way does this mean that Peter was going back to his old life, and nothing in the text suggests it. Peter has seen the risen Lord, and is not about to make the same mistake he made the night before his crucifixion.So why are they fishing? Even apostles must eat!And yet the outing has been fruitless. (Or fish less.)Notice the connection with darkness (night), unproductively, and Jesus' absence.With daylight and his presence, the disciples are abundantly effective.4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.As day breaks, a man is standing on the beach. (This time Jesus doesn't walk to meet his frustrated disciples! He waits for them to come to him.)He suggests they fish from the other side of the boat (vv.4-6).Taking his advice, they succeed, on a scale far beyond their expectations.The disciple Jesus loved recognizes him as the power behind the phenomenal catch.Sometimes we can only see Jesus when we take him at his word -- when we obey.Realizing the boat would make it to shore only slowly, and eager to see his Master, Peter puts the rest of his clothing on and jumps into the water (v.7).Verse 6 says they were unable to haul in the net, verse 11 that they were able to.But this is no real contradiction, just the comfortable language of conversation.Bible readers must learn to distinguish when an exact or technical statement is being made, as opposed to a descriptive statement relaying impression or emotion.In regard to 21:5-7, the precedence of the disciple Jesus loved (although Peter ends up first to go all the way into the tomb) parallels 20:4-8. In other words, John "gets it" first, but allows Peter to get in line before him.9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.The other disciples, though only 100 yards (200 cubits) away, arrive after Peter.A breakfast of bread and fish is already cooking (vv.8-9).This is the second meal of bread and fish in John's gospel. The first is in chapter 6.Yet on that occasion there were 12 baskets of leftovers -- only a fraction of the amount fed to the group (over 5000 people -- Matthew 14:21).Not so today: the "leftovers" are nearly 150 large fish!Is there a symbolic meaning to the number of fish caught -- 153 -- in verse 11? Many guesses have been put forth.Possibly this is a Pythagorean number. But this surely would be too advanced for the average reader of John.Augustine (354-430 AD) argued that the significance lay in the fact that 153 is the sum of the first 17 integers. 153 is the 17th triangular number, with 17 representing the combination of divine grace (the 7 gifts of the Spirit) and law (the Ten Commandments).One of the best suggestions was by Jerome (347-420 AD): "Writers on the nature and property of animals, who have learned 'fishing' in either Latin or Greek... say that there are one hundred and fifty-three species of fish" (Comm. xiv. on Ezechiel).If this is right, there may be evangelistic overtones to the catch. The gospel is destined to "catch" all peoples and all sorts of people. See Matthew 13:47.The untorn nets are often interpreted as the church of Christ, able to contain people from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (Revelation 7:9) without division.Yet perhaps the easiest interpretation is not to read anything into the 153, apart from the fact that not a fish was missing (see 17:12, 18:9).D. A. Carson concludes, "If the Evangelist has some symbolism in mind connected with the number 153, he has hidden it well."Jesus urges them to eat (v.12).They are mildly stunned; in their minds they know it has to be Jesus, but he looks somehow different.Jesus feeds the seven men (v.13). No further comment.This is Jesus' third appearance to his disciples. (The first two are in chapter 20, on successive Sundays.)Recall Peter's eagerness to meet his Lord (v.7). We will return to their important dialogue in our final study of John's gospel...Final observations:The 7 fishermen include one who had verbally and emphatically denied the Lord, one who is famous for his doubting, and one who was initially skeptical about Jesus being the Messiah.Jesus serves his disciples, here and in many other places in the gospels.Jesus has a plan, but he is not rushed (he's never rushed), and will get around to his private conversation with Peter soon enough.