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John 21

The risen Jesus feeds his disciples, commissions Peter to care for his sheep, and calls him to follow through suffering.

Seven disciples spend a night fishing on the sea of Tiberias and catch nothing. At dawn, the risen Jesus stands on the shore, directs them to a large catch, and serves them breakfast. After the meal, he asks Peter three times about his love and entrusts him with care for his sheep. Jesus then speaks of Peter’s death, redirects his concern about another disciple’s future, and the account closes by affirming that disciple’s witness.

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1After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.
2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
3Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.
4But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.
5Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”
6He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.
7That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.
9So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.
12Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
13Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
14This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.
15So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
18Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
19Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
20Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”
21Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”
23This saying therefore went out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”
24This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
25There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
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Key verses
John 21:15Jesus links Peter’s love for him with the task of feeding the lambs who belong to him.
John 21:17The third question grieves Peter, yet Jesus again entrusts his sheep to Peter’s care.
John 21:22Jesus redirects Peter from another disciple’s future to his own call to follow, leaving both futures under Jesus’ authority.
Where this chapter reaches

Luke shares the pattern of an abundant catch at Jesus’ command after fruitless fishing, and Acts continues the disciples’ witness to the risen Jesus. The charge to tend Jesus’ sheep shares its shepherd imagery with 1 Peter’s instructions for those who care for God’s flock.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What do you notice about Jesus’ care for the disciples before he gives Peter responsibility?

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Where does Peter’s question about the other disciple’s future touch your own concerns about following Jesus?

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Questions people ask about John 21

Why does Jesus ask Peter three times if he loves him?

The three questions echo Peter’s three denials, recorded in Luke, and are often understood as his restoration to service. Each reply receives a charge to care for Jesus’ flock. The text names Peter’s grief at the third question and shows Jesus continuing to entrust him with responsibility.

What does the number 153 mean in John 21?

The text reports one hundred fifty-three great fish and stresses that the net remained intact despite the catch. It offers no explanation of a symbolic meaning for the number. Proposed numerical codes go beyond what the chapter states; the clear emphasis is the abundance caught at Jesus’ command.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).