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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 21:11

Simon Peter went up ,.... Either to the sea, that being higher than the land, or to the ship which lay by the shore: he went aboard it, and drew the net to land full of great fishes ; not alone, but others of the disciples with him; though he only is mentioned, being the leading person in this affair; an emblem of the whole number of God's elect being brought safe to shore, to Christ, and to heaven, through various tribulations and afflictions in the world, fitly signified by the waves... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:1-14

(1) The manifestation of himself in the work of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:1-25

3. The epilogue, answering to the prologue. The post-resurrection life corresponds with the pre-incarnate energy of the Logos. 1. Long and sustained controversy has prevailed on the question of the authenticity and apostolic authorship of this chapter even among those who admit the Johannine authorship of the rest of the Gospel. 2. Among those who accept to the full the authenticity, there are many critics who urge that it is not an integral portion of the Gospel, but a later... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:9-14

The repast on the seashore. I. THE LORD MAKES PROVISION FOR THE IMMEDIATELY ' PRESSING WANT OF THE DISCIPLES . 1. They must have been hungry and exhausted with the long and fruitless efforts of the night. Mark our Lord's consideration for their bodily comfort! "Thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands." "Come and dine." 2. Mark the awe of the disciples . "None of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord." There was something... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:11

Then Simon Peter went up . £ Here again Simon is first in action, as John is the more rapid and real in his mental processes. The other disciples may have aided him, following his lead; but the singular verbs are used on both occasions ( ἀνέβη and εἴλκυσε ). In like manner, though the twelve apostles took part in the transactions of Pentecost, Peter opened his mouth to speak. On other occasions, while John spake by the eloquent glances of his eye, and the rest of the disciples... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 21:11

An hundred and fifty and three - The number is mentioned because it seems to have been a very unusual draught, and it was particularly gratifying and striking to them after they had spent the whole night and had caught nothing. This convinced them that it was no other than the same Saviour who had so often worked wonders before them that was now with them. read more

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