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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 21:1-14

We have here an account of Christ's appearance to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias. Now, 1. Let us compare this appearance with those that went before, In those Christ showed himself to his disciples when they were met in a solemn assembly (it should seem, for religious worship) upon a Lord's day, and when they were all together, perhaps expecting his appearing; but in this he showed himself to some of them occasionally, upon a week-day, when they were fishing, and little thought of it.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 21:1-14

21:1-14 After these things Jesus again showed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. This was the way in which he showed himself. Simon Peter, and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who came from Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples, were together. Simon Peter said to them: "I am going to fish." They said to him: "We, too, are coming with you." They went out, and went on board the boat, and that night they caught nothing. When early morning... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 21:1-14

Now we come to the first great reason why this strange chapter was added to the already finished gospel. It was to demonstrate once and for all the reality of the Resurrection. There were many who said that the appearances of the Risen Christ were nothing more than visions which the disciples had. Many would admit the reality of the visions but insist that they were still only visions. Some would go further and say that they were not visions but hallucinations. The gospels go far out of their... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 21:1-14

There is a second great truth symbolized here. In the Fourth Gospel everything is meaningful, and it is therefore hardly possible that John gives the definite number one hundred and fifty-three for the fishes without meaning something by it. It has indeed been suggested that the fishes were counted simply because the catch had to be shared out between the various partners and the crew of the boat, and that the number was recorded simply because it was so exceptionally large. But when we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 21:6

And he said unto them ,.... Willing to make himself known by a miracle, since they knew him not by his person, nor voice: cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find ; that is, a large multitude of fish, as they did. The ship was an emblem of the church in its present afflicted state; the right side of it points to the elect, and where they are to be found in this world; the casting of the net signifies the preaching of the Gospel; the promise of finding fish, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 21:7

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved ,.... Which was John the Evangelist and Apostle, the writer of this Gospel: saith unto Peter, it is the Lord ; which two disciples were very intimate with each other, and communicated their thoughts freely to one another. John knew that it was the Lord, either by some special revelation, or from the multitude of fishes which were taken, and which showed a divine hand and power to be concerned. So faithful ministers of the Gospel know when Christ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:6

And ye shall find - The Ethiopic, three copies of the Itala, and St. Cyril, add, They said therefore unto him, we have labored all the night and caught nothing, nevertheless at thy command we will let down the net. This is borrowed from Luke 5:5 . For the multitude of fishes - This was intended as an emblem of the immense number of souls which should be converted to God by their ministry; according to the promise of Christ, Matthew 4:19 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:7

His fisher's coat - Or, his upper coat. Επενδυτην , from επι , upon, and ενδυω , I clothe; something analagous to what we term a great coat or surtout. He was naked - He was only in his vest. Γυμνος , naked, is often used to signify the absence of this upper garment only. In 1 Samuel 19:24 , when Saul had put off his ἱματια , upper garments, he is said to have been γυμνος , naked; and David, when girded only with a linen ephod, is said to have been uncovered, in 2 Samuel... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:6

Verse 6 6.Cast the net on the right side of the ship. Christ does not command with authority and power as Master and Lord, but gives advice like one of the people; and the disciples, being at a loss what to do, readily obey him, though they did not know who he was. If, before the first casting of the net, any thing of this sort had been said to them, they would not have so quickly obeyed. I mention this, that no one may wonder that they were so submissive, for they had already been worn out by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:7

Verse 7 7.Therefore the disciple whom Jesus loved saith to Peter. The Evangelist shows, by his example, that it is our duty to raise our hearts to God, whenever we succeed in any thing beyond our expectation; because we ought instantly to remember that this act of kindness has flowed from the favor of Him who is the Author of every blessing. That holy recognition of the grace of God, which dwelt in the heart of John, led him also to the knowledge of Christ; for he does not perceive Christ with... read more

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