Such A Catch Of Fish
SUCH A CATCH OF FISH
JOHN 21:1-8
What was the secret of the disciples’ successful fishing in the morning?
The Gospel proper ends with chapter 20. This chapter is a sort of appendix, the particular purpose of which is apparently to explain what Jesus had said about the destiny of the “beloved disciple” (21:23). It also has importance in showing the manner of Peter’s restoration to the service of Christ, and the future which awaited him. So the relationship between Peter and the “beloved disciple” is made clear. Both are represented as equal partners with complementary rôles—Peter as pastor and evangelist, and the beloved disciple as guarantor of the truth concerning Jesus (21:25). These two leaders were obviously the subject of widespread rumors (21:23).
There were a number of different appearances to the disciples by the risen Lord (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) not all of which are recorded in the Gospels. As always, John has selected one which gets across an important point (20:30f.; 21:25). The disciples had apparently gone back to Galilee, uncertain of the way in which they were to carry out the apostolic commission (20:21). Seven of them are mentioned. Simon Peter decides to go fishing and the rest follow his lead.
Night was the best time for fishing, but a hard night’s toil yielded nothing. At daybreak Jesus, unrecognized, asked them from the shore whether they had any fish. When they said they had not he told them to cast their nets to starboard. They made such a catch that they could not haul it in. The “beloved disciple” is the very first to discern who the stranger is. But it is Peter who acts first, putting on his clothes and plunging into the lake while the others struggled in with the boat and the catch. Both types of people are found in the church today. When they work together the cause of Christ prospers.
Notes 21:1: the Sea of Tiberias was the same as the Sea of Galilee. 21:2: Thomas is prominent in John, Nathanael is mentioned only by him. This is the only reference to the sons of Zebedee in the Gospel and it helps us to assume that John was the “beloved disciple.” But this is not certain, for it could possibly have been one of the two unnamed disciples. 21:6: Jesus probably saw a shoal of fish from the shore. It is not at all certain how far this story is meant to have symbolic significance with “fishing for men” being illustrated (cf. Luke 5:10f.). 21:7: “the Lord”—it is only after the resurrection that the disciples are recorded as referring to Jesus by this title in the third person.