Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Tiberias Sea. This is how it happened.

Simon Peter and Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathaniel from Cana, Galilee, and Zebedee’s sons were also with two other disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’re coming with you,” they replied.

They went out in the boat but didn’t catch anything during the night.

Early the next morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples didn’t know it was him.

“Children, do you have any fish to eat?” Jesus asked.

“No,” they replied.

“Throw the net to the right of the boat, and you’ll catch some.”

They cast the net and couldn’t pull it back in due to the size of the catch.

The disciple that Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

Simon Peter, who had been naked, tied his coat around him and jumped into the sea.

The other disciples dragged the catch of fish behind the boat and came back to the shore.

When they got to the land, they saw a charcoal fire with a fish and bread on top.

Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”

Simon Peter pulled the net to the land, full of 153 large fish. Even though there were so many, the net hadn’t ripped.

“Come and eat breakfast,” Jesus said.

The disciples weren’t brave enough to ask who he was, knowing it was the Lord. Jesus handed the fish and bread around.

This was the third time Jesus had shown himself to the disciples after he had come back to life.

After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, John’s son, do you love me more than the others?”

“Yes, Lord. You know I love you,” Simon replied.

“Feed my lambs,” Jesusa said.

Jesus asked Simon again, “Simon, John’s son, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

“Guide my sheep.”

Jesus asked Simon a third time, “Simon, John’s son, do you love me?”

Peter felt hurt, having been asked a third time if he loved Jesus. “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. “I’m honestly telling you that when you were younger you dressed yourself and walked wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will raise a hand, and someone else will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

Jesus said this to describe how Peter would glorify God through death.

“Follow me,” Jesus said.

Peter turned and saw the disciple that Jesus loved following them. This was the same one who had leaned on Jesus at the dinner and said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

“If I want him to stay alive until I return, how does that concern you?” Jesus asked. “You follow me.”

This rumour that the disciple wouldn’t die spread around the brothers, but Jesus didn’t say he wouldn’t die, but only, “If I want him to stay until I return, how does that concern you?”

This is the disciple who is telling you what happened and written the events down. We know what he says is true. Jesus did many other things. The world couldn’t contain all the books if it was all written down in them.

John Chapter 21 Summary

Jesus appears to his disciples for the third time after coming back to life. The disciples are by the Tiberias Sea, and Peter and several disciples decide to go fishing, but they catch nothing through the night. In the morning, a man on the shore tells them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. They do and catch a huge number of fish. The loved disciple recognises the man as Jesus, who invites them to eat and serves them bread and fish. After breakfast, Jesus speaks with Peter and asks him three times if he loves him. Each time Peter answers yes, and Jesus tells him to take care of his followers—his “sheep.” Peter asks about the loved disciple’s future, but Jesus reminds him to focus on his own calling.

John Chapter 21 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to appear to the disciples while they were fishing?
Answer: Jesus met the disciples in their everyday activity, reminding us that he comes to us in ordinary moments. It also a reminded of them being called “fishers of men.”

2. What can we learn from Peter’s eagerness to meet Jesus on the shore?
Answer: Peter’s excitement shows a heart full of love. His response encourages us to come to Jesus with joy and passion, especially after moments of weakness.

3. Why do you think Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him?
Answer: This mirrors Peter’s three times when he said he didn’t know Jesus before he was killed. Jesus was gently showing Peter that failure doesn’t stop someone from following and serving him.

4. How does Jesus’ command to “feed my sheep” apply to Christians today?
Answer: It reminds us to care for others, especially those who are growing in faith. Loving Jesus means serving others—offering guidance and support, and spiritual nourishment.

5. What does Jesus’ reply about the beloved disciple teach us about comparison?
Answer: Jesus tells Peter not to worry about others’ paths but to focus on following him. It’s a lesson in trust and obedience—we each have a personal journey with God that requires our full attention.

John Chapter 21 Explained

John 21 begins with the disciples returning to fishing, possibly being unsure about what to do next with their lives. They catch nothing until Jesus, still unrecognised, instructs them to throw their net on the right side of the boat, and they catch a lot of fish. The wonderous catch is similar to earlier stories and shows Jesus’ power.

When they realise it’s Jesus, Peter leaps into the water to reach him first. This shows Peter’s love and perhaps his longing to be right with Jesus after denying knowing him three times. The charcoal fire, a subtle detail, mirrors the one where Peter had previously denied Jesus. Now, around a fire again, Peter finds forgiveness.

Jesus doesn’t just forgive Peter—he gives him responsibility. By asking Peter three times if he loves him, Jesus allows Peter to confirm his commitment. Each response comes with a command: feed or care for Jesus’ sheep. This makes it clear that loving Jesus means caring for his people. It’s not just emotional love but requires active service.

Jesus then tells Peter about his future—a life of sacrifice, even death, that will glorify God. This shows the trust Jesus has in Peter. Despite Peter’s past mistakes, Jesus still calls him to lead. It’s a powerful message that failure doesn’t stop us from belonging and contributing to God’s kingdom.

Peter’s question about the beloved disciple’s future leads to a gentle correction from Jesus. He reminds Peter to stay focused on his own calling. This is a meaningful lesson: we are each responsible for following Jesus personally, not for comparing our journey with someone else’s.

The chapter ends by confirming what’s written in this book is true. It reminds us that Jesus did so much more than what was written in the bible.

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Continue exploring John 21

If you’d like to read John xx in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try John 21 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try John 21 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try John 21 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore John in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: John
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)