John 21:8
And the other disciples came in a little ship; ( for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. And the other disciples came in a little ship; ( for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
The scene is set on the Sea of Galilee where much of Christ's ministry had been passed, the disciples having gathered in a place where they were not likely to be disturbed. The surroundings recalled Jesus and His mighty works, for on this sea He had walked upon the billows to their rescue when their hearts were filled with terror and the fierce storm was hurrying them to destruction, and here He had hushed the tempest by His word. Within sight lay the beach where above ten thousand persons had been fed from a few small loaves and fishes, and not far distant was Capernaum, the scene of so many miracles, so that looking upon the scene filled their minds with the words and deeds of their Saviour.
The other disciples were only about two hundred cubits from land, and they came in the little boat bringing the great catch ashore while dragging the net full of fishes to where Jesus waited on shore. After John told Peter that it was the Lord, Peter in elation and glad eagerness threw himself into the water to reach Jesus first and soon stood beside Him, while the other disciples stayed in the boat to bring it in. The dragging of the net belongs to the miraculous catch of fish after Jesus' resurrection, given after the disciples followed His direction to cast the net.
By the abundant catch Jesus deliberately repeated the first miraculous draught of fishes to bring back to the disciples' minds their first call beside the sea and to deepen its impression. The catch renewed Christ's commission to the disciples to leave their fishing boats and be fishers of men, showing that His death had not lessened their obligation or ended their duty to carry out the work He had assigned them. Their labor showed that when human effort works in connection with Christ, His divine power combining with human effort, success cannot fail, and His command to cast on the right side, the side where He stood on the shore, makes that side the side of faith. It assured them that though deprived of His personal companionship and of support from their former employment, the risen Saviour would still care for them and provide their needs while they were doing His work. The event leads to Peter recognizing Jesus and hastening to Him, and the later meal on shore and Jesus' questions reveal Peter's love for Christ and his commission to care for Christ's followers.