John 21:7, commentary and pictures

After the Passover week the disciples had returned to Galilee as directed and gathered by the sea where much of Christ's ministry had passed. John was first to discern from the miraculous catch that the stranger on the shore was Jesus and told Peter, and Peter, who was working without his outer garment, at once wrapped his fisher's coat about him and threw himself into the sea to reach Jesus quickly while the others came in the boat with the net. His rush into the water showed eagerness to come to his Lord, and the recognition turned disappointment into joy at finding their risen Master. The risen Jesus stood watching them and had already prepared food on the shore, showing he is still present and will provide for their needs when deprived of his personal companionship and former support. By repeating the first miraculous draught he brought their first call to mind and renewed their commission to be fishers of men, showing that when his divine power combines with their human effort they cannot fail, and preparing the way for Peter's restoration to apostolic work after his denial.

Setting and Event

This moment belongs to the disciples' return to Galilee to meet Jesus as he had directed after the Passover week ended. It takes place near the Sea of Galilee where much of Christ's ministry had passed, where the disciples had gathered in a place where they were not likely to be disturbed. The place was surrounded by reminders of Jesus and his mighty works, so that as they looked upon the scene their minds were full of the words and deeds of their Saviour. These reminders were the sea where he had walked upon the billows to rescue the terror-filled disciples from the destroying storm and where he had hushed the tempest by his word, the beach in sight where more than ten thousand persons had been fed from a few small loaves and fishes, and Capernaum not far distant as the scene of many miracles.

Jesus stood alone on the seashore as a lone watcher, following with his eyes the disciples in their boat out on the sea. The beloved disciple John was the first to discern from the miraculous catch of fishes that the stranger on the shore was Jesus. Having recognized him, John told Peter that it was the Lord. Peter had been working without his outer garment, so when he heard it was the Lord he at once wrapped his fisher's coat around him and threw himself into the sea to reach Jesus quickly. He was soon standing beside his Master on the shore, while the other disciples came in the boat dragging the net with fishes. On landing they found Jesus had already prepared a fire with fish and bread, and when he shared the bread and fish all seven knew him as their risen Saviour, remembering the feeding of the five thousand, and looked on him in silent awe.

Care and Commission

The moment of recognition turned disappointment into joy, for John was the first to discern from the multitude of fishes that the stranger on the shore was Jesus, and he told Peter that it was the Lord. Peter was elated and glad, and in his eagerness to go to his Lord he at once wrapped his fisher's coat, his outer garment, around him and threw himself into the sea to reach Jesus quickly. He was soon standing beside his Master on the shore while the other disciples came in the boat dragging the net with fishes, and his immediate rush into the water expressed the joy of all the disciples at recognizing their resurrected Master. On landing they found Jesus had already prepared a fire with fish and bread, and when He shared the bread and fish all seven knew Him as their risen Saviour, remembering the feeding of the five thousand, and looked on Him in silent awe.

The catch and the scene make clear that the risen Jesus is present and still cares for the disciples, and will provide for their needs while they are doing His work. Though deprived of His personal companionship and of support from their former employment, the risen Lord has not left them without care. When they labor in connection with Him, His divine power combining with their human effort, they cannot fail of success.

By repeating the first miraculous draught of fishes, Jesus brought the disciples' first call beside the sea to their minds and deepened its impression. The second abundant catch was a renewal of the commission to leave their boats and be fishers of men, showing that His death had not lessened their obligation to do the work He had assigned them and did not end their duty to continue it. His bidding them cast the net on the right side of the ship had purpose, because He Himself stood upon the shore on that side, which is the side of faith. The scene also prepared for Peter's restoration, since his denial had damaged his standing with the others and he needed to show sincere repentance before returning to apostolic work, and Christ sought to restore their confidence in him so that their distrust would not hinder his usefulness.