Introduction
V. EPILOGUE CH. 21
This Gospel began with a theological prologue (John 1:1-18), and it ends with a practical epilogue. John concluded his narrative designed to bring unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ in chapter 20. Chapter 21 contains instruction for those who have come to faith in Him and explains how they are to serve Him as they carry out their mission (John 20:21-23). Many of the prominent themes in the rest of the Gospel recur here.
"Some critics have argued that this chapter is anticlimactic after the great conclusion in chapter 20, and therefore was written by another (anonymous) writer. But the linguistic evidence does not support this notion. In addition, other great books of Scripture have appendixes after reaching a grand climax (cf. e.g., Romans 16 following Romans 15:33). Thus John 21 is neither without value nor out of harmony with other Bible books." [Note: Blum, p. 344. Cf. Carson, The Gospel . . ., pp. 665-68.]
The structure of this chapter is similar to the rest of the Gospel. John first narrated an event (John 21:1-14) and then related Jesus’ teaching based on that event (John 21:15-23). Finally he concluded his Gospel (John 21:24-25).
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