Knowing The Word: The Epilogue, John 21:1-14

Chapter 21 is an epilogue to John’s Gospel, which in a sense could have concluded with Chapter 20 and John’s explanation of why he wrote what he did. This epilogue, however, balances the prologue (1:1-18). While the prologue sketches the prehistory of the Gospel, the epilogue foresees its post-history. Chapter 21 symbolizes the church’s mission. As the prologue goes back to creation, the epilogue previews the mission of the disciples being sent through the miraculous catch of fish and focuses on the different roles of Peter and John, suggesting followers of Jesus play various roles serving him and spreading the gospel. The epilogue also mentions the return of Jesus in verse 22, corresponding in thoughtful symmetry to “In the beginning.”

Jesus commanded his disciples through an angel, as recorded in Mark 16 and Matthew 28, to return to the Sea of Galilee and wait for him. They obey his command. Now he will appear to them as they begin their mission to tell the world about the good news of Jesus. With another strategy in mind, Jesus may have told them to go to the Galilee to get them out of Jerusalem for their own safety and sanity after the passion events.

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 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.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on 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 of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out 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, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Lord Jesus, as your disciples obeyed your command to go to Galilee, help us today to obey your command to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.