John 21:1-14

John 21 - The Restoration of Peter

A. A miraculous catch of fish.

1. (1-3) Peter and six other disciples return to fishing.

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.

a. I am going fishing: Was this a return to the old life or prudence? Only the attitude of their hearts could tell. If they wanted to give up on the business of serving Jesus, it was bad; if they were providing for themselves and those near to them until Jesus told them what to do next, it could be fine.

i. At the best, it shows they were uncertain. “The fishing expedition plainly reveals the uncertainly of the disciples, an uncertainty which contrasts sharply with their assured sense of purpose from the day of Pentecost on.” (Morris)

b. That night they caught nothing: No matter what their reason was for returning to their fishing boats, their own efforts were futile.

2. (4-6) Jesus directs their work.

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

a. Have you any food? When you are unsuccessful at fishing, you don’t welcome questions about your progress. Jesus asked anyway.

b. Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some: “There is no need to seek symbolical meanings for the right and left side. The difference is not between right and left, but between working with and without Divine guidance.” (Plummer)

3. (7-14) The disciples eat breakfast with Jesus.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”; knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

a. Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” - knowing that it was the Lord: There seems something unusual about the appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. Possibly it was a result of the beatings He endured at the cross, the scars of which remained at least in part.

b. Jesus then came and took the bread: Jesus is often seen eating with His disciples after His resurrection. This is a picture of intimate, friendly fellowship.

c. Full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three: Why 153 fish? This number has been a field day for speculative interpretations of the Bible since the early church.

i. 153 is the sum of numbers 1 to 17. Some (like Augustine) say that it is a number representing the number of commandments (10) added to the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.

ii. 153 is the added numerical value of the Greek words “Peter” and “fish.”

iii. Some ancient writers (such as Jerome) held that there were 153 different types of fish in the world; this represents a “full harvest” of all of the world.

iv. Some (like Cyril of Alexandria) say that 100 stands for the Gentiles, 50 for Israel and 3 for the Trinity.

v. The truth is 153 stands for the number of fish that they caught, and nothing else! We must always be careful of manufacturing “hidden meanings” in the Word of God.

Unless otherwise noted all Scripture is taken from the New King James translation of the Bible.

John 20:19-31

John 20 - An Empty Tomb and A Risen Jesus

C. The disciples meet the risen Jesus.

1. (19) Jesus appears in their midst.

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

a. We are told of five appearances of Jesus on the resurrection day: to Mary Magdalene, to the women, to two on the road to Emmaus, to Peter and here to ten of the disciples, Thomas being absent. The Gospel of John tells of two of these five appearances.

b. When the doors were shut . . . Jesus came and stood in the midst: How did Jesus enter the room? “We can scarcely say more than that John wants us to see that the risen Christ was not limited by closed doors.” (Morris) Apparently, resurrection bodies are not subject to the same limitations as our present bodies.

c. Peace be with you: After their desertion of Jesus on Friday, the disciples were probably expecting words of rebuke or blame. Instead, Jesus brought a word of peace, reconciling peace.

2. (20-23) The risen Jesus ministers to His disciples (more than the ten are gathered here, according to Luke 24).

When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

a. He showed them His hands and His side: Jesus gives assurance to the disciples about who He is and that He really has risen from the dead.

b. As the Father has sent Me, I also send you: Jesus gives His disciples a mission, to continue His work on this earth.

c. Receive the Holy Spirit: Jesus gives His disciples the Holy Spirit, bringing new life and the ability to carry out their mission. Many people see the connection between this breathing on the disciples and when God created man, and breathed the breathe of life in him. This is a work of re-creation, even as God breathed life into the first man. This is where the disciples are born again.

d. If you forgive the sins of any: Jesus gives His disciples authority to announce forgiveness and to warn of guilt, as authorized by the Holy Spirit.

i. This lays down the duty of the church to proclaim forgiveness to the penitent believer, and the duty of the church to warn the unbeliever that they are in danger of forfeiting the mercy of God.

e. Jesus wants to continue this fourfold ministry of giving assurance, a mission, the Holy Spirit and authority to believers today.

3. (24-29) Jesus convinces the previously absent disciple, the skeptic Thomas.

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

a. Unless I see . . . I will not believe: Thomas is not a doubter, but an unbeliever who will not accept the valid testimony of others.

b. Do not be unbelieving, but believing: Jesus explicitly repeats Thomas’ demands back to him. This must have been very impressive to Thomas, and very convincing.

i. Do not be unbelieving, but believing: Jesus also plainly commands him to cease his unbelief and to start believing

c. My Lord and my God: Both Lord and God were titles of deity, and Thomas boldly and explicitly assigns these titles to Jesus. Jesus accepts these titles, and did not tell Thomas, “Don’t call Me that.”

d. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed: There is a special promise blessing given to those who believe. The faith of Thomas is the climax of the book: Jesus has triumphed over sickness, sin, evil men, death and sorrow; now He conquers unbelief.

e. Thomas is a good example in many ways. He refused to say he understood when he did not, he refused to pretend to believe when he didn’t. And when he did understand and believe, he went all the way and properly called Jesus Lord and God.

4. (30-31) Summary statement of the book.

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

a. Jesus did many other signs: John admits that he presents an incomplete collection, written for a purpose.

b. One collects everything possible about a dead prophet; it is all one has of him. But one only tells enough of a living person to introduce one’s hearers to him. John trusts that a personal relationship with Jesus will reveal more to the believer.

Unless otherwise noted all Scripture is taken from the New King James translation of the Bible.

3 John 12-14

3 John - Following Good Examples

3. (12) Demetrius: A good example.

Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

a. Demetrius has a good testimony from all: John recommended this man to Gaius. Perhaps he was the one who carried the letter from John to Gaius, and John wanted Gaius to know that he was worthy of Christian hospitality.

b. Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself: Demetrius was so faithful to the truth that even the truth was a witness on his behalf.

C. Conclusion.

1. (13-14a) John explains such a short letter to Gaius.

I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.

a. I had many things to write: We can sympathize with John’s preference for personal, face to face communication rather than the writing of letters. Yet we are thankful that John was forced to write, so that we have the record of this letter of 3 John.

2. (14b) Final blessings.

Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

a. Our friends greet you: In addition to a familiar blessing of peace upon Gaius, John also reminded him (and us) of the common ties of Christians - even if they are separated by miles, they are still friends in Jesus, and appropriately they should greet one another.

b. Peace to you: This is a letter about contention and conflict; yet John appropriately ends the letter with a desire and expectation for peace. As Christians, we can and should have a sense of peace even in the midst of difficult times. Christians have the resources in Jesus Christ to have peace even in unsettled seasons.

Unless otherwise noted all Scripture is taken from the New King James translation of the Bible.

Philippians 1:12-30

MP3 File 

We are studying through Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. This week’s  study is about the singular mind.

26 minutes, 40 seconds.

Radio format.

12.8 MB.

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