ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for John 21

John 21:1–25 Epilogue: The Roles of Peter and of the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved. Chapter 21 describes Jesus’ third and final resurrection appearance in this Gospel. It also compares the callings of Peter and “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

John 21:1 With the weeklong festival of Unleavened Bread now past, the disciples have left Jerusalem and returned to Galilee.

John 21:2 The names of the sons of Zebedee are James and John (Matt. 4:21 and parallels). Luke mentions that they were “partners with Simon” in fishing before being called by Jesus (Luke 5:10). See also note on John 1:40.

John 21:3 Night was the preferred time for fishing in ancient times (Luke 5:5). Fish caught during the night could be sold fresh in the morning.

John 21:7 The disciple whom Jesus loved must be one of the seven mentioned in v. 2. He is almost certainly John the son of Zebedee, the author of the Gospel (see Introduction: Author, Date, and Recipients; and note on v. 24).

John 21:9 charcoal fire. See 18:18.

John 21:11 Probably 153 represents the number of fish counted. Fishermen routinely counted the number of fish prior to selling them fresh at the market.

John 21:15–17 On Simon, son of John, see 1:42. Peter has denied Jesus three times (18:15–18, 25–27). Now Jesus asks Peter three times to reaffirm his love for him, and then he recommissions him. Jesus’ question, “do you love me more than these?” probably means, “Do you love me more than these other disciples do?” In these three questions and answers, Peter uses the same verb for “love” all three times (Greek phileo) but Jesus uses a different verb for “love” in the first two questions (Greek agapao) and then switches to Peter’s word phileo in the third question. The two words are often used interchangeably. Peter is grieved because Jesus kept asking him if he loved him. You know everything is an affirmation of Christ’s deity. Feed my lambs. Jesus, as the true shepherd, appoints Peter and the other apostles to assist him by caring for his people (see 1 Pet. 5:1–4).

John 21:18–19 Stretch out your hands pictures crucifixion. Early Christian sources mention Peter’s martyrdom without telling how it happened.

John 21:24 This is the disciple is typical of the way in which John, as the author of the Gospel, refers to himself either indirectly or in the third person. Other examples include: the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (21:7; cf. 20:2), “one” of the Twelve (v. 20), and one of the “sons of Zebedee” (v. 2). These identify the author as the apostle John. We know is the author referring to himself, although he probably includes his readers in this affirmation of the truth of his Gospel account.

John 21:25 The world itself could not contain the books emphasizes the limitless nature of all Jesus accomplished for mankind’s salvation as the eternal Son of God (see 1:1–3) through his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.