John 21:3

Some expositors have interpreted Peter’s words as a renunciation of his calling as Jesus’ disciple. They believe he meant that he intended to return to his former occupation as a fisherman permanently. [Note: E.g., Hoskyns, p. 552.] However there is no basis for this conclusion in the text. Indeed when Peter learned that Jesus was standing on the shore he jumped into the water to get to Jesus as quickly as he could (John 21:7).

Peter’s words simply expressed his intention to do some fishing, not to change his vocation. [Note: Bruce, p. 399.] He probably found it very difficult to sit around doing nothing while he and his friends waited for Jesus to appear. Jesus had instructed the disciples to return to Galilee and to wait for him there (cf. Matthew 28:7; Mark 14:28; Mark 16:7). So Peter did something that he probably enjoyed doing and presumably did well. Alternatively he may have been returning to his former vocation temporarily only to earn some money so he could feed his family. [Note: Beasley-Murray, p. 399.]

This was not the first time that Peter had met Jesus after the Crucifixion. Jesus had appeared to Peter evidently on Easter morning (1 Corinthians 15:5) and undoubtedly on Easter evening (John 20:19-23; cf. Mark 16:14). Peter had also seen Jesus the following Sunday when Thomas made his profession of faith (John 20:26-29). Therefore we should not conclude that Peter would have been reluctant to see Jesus now because of his denial in the high priest’s courtyard. Peter’s moment of reconciliation with Jesus had already passed.

Peter’s companions followed his lead and joined him. Apparently they launched out on the lake just before or during the night, a popular time to fish. John identified their boat specifically as "the boat." Probably this was Simon’s boat that he had formerly used when he was a professional fisherman (cf. Luke 5:3). The disciples’ failure to catch anything set the stage for Jesus’ miracle that followed.

"They are coming to grips with the resurrection, but they still have not learned the profound truth that apart from Christ they can do nothing (John 15:5) . . ." [Note: Carson, The Gospel . . ., p. 670.]

In view of Jesus’ commission, these disciples’ activity seems inappropriate even if it was not rebellious. It contrasts with their behavior following Pentecost when they began to carry out their mission zealously and joyfully. Therefore John’s reference to nighttime may have symbolic overtones again (cf. John 13:30).