Lesson #35

• There are three important events in this chapter.
• The fishing experience on the Sea of Galilee.
• Breakfast on the shore with the disciples.
• Jesus’ announcement of Peter’s death.

• The disciples who were fishermen have returned to their trade.
• Jesus previously told the disciples to return to Galilee where they would see Him. (Mat 28:10,16)
• This location is very likely the same place where Jesus first called these disciples.
• “…Jesus showed himself again to the disciples…”

(1)

• The word, “showed”, in the Greek is unusual, which makes this appearance different from the previous ones. What makes it different is that Jesus revealed something new about himself which we will discover later.
• Those present when Jesus appeared to them are 7 of the 12 disciples::
• Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James and his brother, John, and two unnamed disciples.
• Jesus had previously appeared to Peter according to Paul and Luke. (Luk 24:34 1Cor 15:5) However, there are no details of that restoration to fellowship after Peter’s denial of Jesus.
• The disciples did not know Jesus at first for it was dark (4), and He called them by a different name. Jesus called them, “children”. (5)
• Literally the word means boys or young men. It was a common word used among fishermen to call each other.
• John was the first to recognize Jesus. (7) Peter was the first to go to Jesus. (7)
• What does this tell us about these two men?
• John was more spiritually perceptive, but Peter was more willing to act.
• In Joh 20 when both men arrived at the tomb together, it was John who did not immediately go into the tomb. Peter was the first to go into the tomb. However, it was John who perceived that Jesus had raised from the dead.
• This is a failed fishing trip. They have caught nothing.
• Their failure is God’s predestination of events.
• Because of their failure at fishing, they were open to receive the fish Jesus offered them.
• Because of their failure at fishing, what Jesus had to offer for their lives was very attractive.
• “…he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,)…”

(7)

• What is meant by the word, “naked”, is that Peter was dressed like a working fishermen. He wore a loin cloth. He put on a sleeveless tunic that came down to the knees.
• When they arrived on shore, Jesus was already cooking fish and bread. The Bible does not tell us where He obtained these elements or if this was a miracle.
• “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”

(12)

• This verse indicates that they knew it was Jesus by what He did, not by the recognition of His face.
• Jesus serves the disciples:
• He has the same humility as He did when He walked with them before the crucifixion.
• Jesus indicates that He will provide for His followers if they are obedient.
• The new characteristic that Jesus revealed about himself:
• Jesus had previously told His disciples that they would be fishers of men. (Luk 5:10)
• At that time the fish were not numbered, and they broke the net.
• This time the fish are numbered. There are 153 of them.
• This is, in fact, a small number of fish for the very large nets that were used. This quantity would not break the net.
• There is much speculation as to the meaning of this number. Therefore, there are 3 interpretations:
• =1= The fish that Jesus brought represents the nation of Israel, while the 153 fish caught by the disciples represent the gentile nations in the millennial kingdom.
• =2= The number 153 represents the kingdom of God.
• =3= The fish that Jesus brought represents the Old Testament believers while 153 (though not by actual number) represents the New Testament believers. The net does not break indicating that none would be lost. (Joh 10:28) The fact that Peter hauls in the net to shore represents Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost that reaped 3,000 souls for the kingdom.
• The new characteristic about Jesus is that there is now a cooperation between Himself and the disciples that will bring about the New Testament kingdom of believers.
• What do we learn in this passage about discipleship?
• Obedience and trust or faith and cooperation with the Holy Spirit are necessary for a fruitful ministry.

• In order to understand the conversation between Jesus and Peter, a description of some of the Greek words is necessary.

• “…Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”

(15)

• The word, “lovest”, is the Greek word , agape. This word means = unconditional deep love used to refer to divine love. (used in Joh 14:21)
• Will Peter be as braggadocios as before saying that he has greater love than the other disciples?
• “…Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee…”

(15)

• The word Peter used for love is the Greek word, phileo. This word means = to be fond of. A brotherly love of one human for another.
• Twice Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him using the word, agape. Twice Peter answers that he loves Jesus using the word, phileo.
• The third time Jesus asks Peter again if he loves Him in verse 17. However, this time Jesus uses the Greek word, phileo.
• Jesus has come down to Peter’s level of love.
• Why did Jesus ask Peter three times about his love when he knew Peter’s heart?
• Peter denied Jesus 3 times. He lost his position and standing in the great commission of service to the Lord. That commission needed to be restored.
• Notice that Jesus addresses Peter by the name, Simon. The name Simon was his name before he met Jesus. Therefore it refers to his old nature. Jesus usually used the Simon when He was about to deal with something in Peter’s sinful nature. (Mar 14:37 Mat 17:25 Luk 22:31)
• Peter needed to face his own weaknesses after his 3 denials of the Lord. Before the crucifixion, Peter was brash and boastful of his affection for the Lord even to the point of death. (13:37)
• Peter did not really know his own heart. The questions were to point out to Peter exactly what his feelings truly were. Then, at that level he could build on that characteristic.
• Jesus accepted Peter at the level Peter set. From there they would build an agape type of relationship where the Lord could really use Peter for the kingdom of God.
• Peter was grieved, not because Jesus asked him the question 3 times, but because Jesus lowered himself to Peter’s level when he used Peter’s word for love.
• What is the meaning of three commands after these love questions?

• “…Feed my lambs….”

(15)

• The word, “feed” means = to pasture, to fodder, to graze.
• Peter is to feed baby Christians not because they are lovable, but because of his love for Jesus.
• “…Feed my sheep….”

(16)

• The word, “feed” means = to guard as a shepherd guarded his sheep from wolves; to watch over and guard them because he loves the Lord.
• “…Feed my sheep…”

(17)

• The word, “feed” means = to pasture, to fodder, to graze.
• Peter is to spiritually feed all believers, not because they are lovable, but because of their affection for Jesus.
• Notice the first and the last statements of “feed my sheep” are exactly the same in their meaning while the central role is to guard.
• The prophecy for Peter (18-19)

• “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.”

(18)

• “…when thou wast young…”

speaks of his old nature in his youth.

• “…when thou shalt be old…”

speaks of his mature nature.

• “…stretch forth thy hands…”

speaks of the manner by which Peter would die. He was crucified upside down in 67 or 68 AD.

• “…signifying by what death he should glorify God…”

(19)

• Glorify God was a common expression for a martyr’s death. To die for Christ soon became synonymous with glorifying God.
• Jesus led Peter away from the rest of the group but John followed. (20)
• Peter questions Jesus about John’s destiny. (21)
• Jesus mildly rebuked Peter to mind his own business. Each person is unique in the kingdom of God and each has God’s unique plan for his own life.
• John was the only disciple that did not die a martyr’s death. He died an old man in his 90’s.
• From this a rumor arose that John was not die until Jesus returned at the second coming.
• It is important to notice that John never believed this and identifies this as a rumor.

• What does this passage teach about:
• Love for Jesus?
• A love relationship with Jesus Christ grows over time and becomes more intimate the closer the believer is in communication and dedication.
• Discipleship?
• Jesus accepts each believer where he is. However, Jesus wants us to grow and mature in our relationship with Him. The better we are at following Him, the better He will be able to use us.
• What was the purpose for Jesus’ appearance while the disciples fished?
• The purpose for the appearance with this group of disciples was to commission them to fish for men. Notice that Peter is among this groups of disciples.
• Peter had denied Jesus three times. He needed his faith strengthened.
• Peter would be the leader of the New Testament church from the Day of Pentecost in the book of Acts. It was important that Peter be well established in the kingdom for the task ahead.

:

• Proofs that Jesus is the Son of God:
• Son of God in eternity (Joh 1:1-2)
• Son of God at creation (Joh 1:3-5, 9, 12-13)
• Son of God on earth (Joh 1:10-13)
• Son of God as flesh (Joh 1:14, 16-18)
• Son of God with power over the physical world (Joh 2:1-12)
• Son of God with power over the religious system (Joh 2:16)
• Son of God with power over eternal life (Joh 4:14)
• Son of God with power over distance and space (Joh 4:50)
• Son of God with power over time (Joh 5:7-9)
• Son of God proved by witnesses (Joh 5:31-47)
• The witness of John the Baptist (Joh 5:33-35)
• The witness of Jesus own works (Joh 5:36)
• The witness of God the Father (Joh 5:37-38)
• The witness of scripture by Moses (Joh 5:39-47)
• Son of God with power over quantity (Joh 6:11)
• Son of God with power to convict hearts of sin (Joh 8:9)
• Son of God with power over physical and spiritual darkness (Joh 9:5-7)
• Son of God with power over the sting of death (Joh 11:25-26, 43-44)
• Son of God with power over Satan, Death, and Hell (Joh 20:27-29)
• Illustrations and references to his own death:
• As the Lamb of God …a vicarious death (Joh 1:29)
• “My hour is not yet come” …a valuable death (Joh 2:4)
• As the temple of God …a violent death (Joh 2:19-21)
• As the serpent on the pole …a vile death (Joh 3:14)
• “The hour is coming and now is”…a valid death (having legal force) (Joh 5:25)
• “Eat my flesh and drink my blood” …a virtuous death (Joh 6:51-59)
• “My time is not yet come” …a valiant death (Mat 26:18 Joh 7:6,8,30)
• “His hour was not yet come”…a vigilant death (Joh 8:20)
• “When ye have lifted up the Son of Man” …a vulnerable death (Joh 8:28)
• “Good shepherd giveth his life for sheep” …a voluntary death (Joh 10:11,15,17)
• “Preparation in advance of my burial” …a vapid (tasteless) death (Joh 12:7)
• “Hour is come that the Son of Man be glorified” …a victorious death (Joh 12:23-25)
• “Save me from this hour” …a victimized death (Joh 12:27)
• “If I be lifted up from the earth” …a vindicated death (Joh 12:32-33)
• “A man lay down his life for his friends” …(Joh 15:13-14)
• The names of Christ in the gospel of John:
• The Word (Joh 1:1,14)
• The Lamb of God (Joh 1:29, 36)
• Rabbi / Master (Joh 1:38)
• Messiah / Christ (Joh 1:41)
• Son of God (Joh 1:49)
• King of Israel (Joh 1:49)
• Son of Man (Joh 1:51)
• Bridegroom (Joh 3:29)
• Savior (Joh 4:42)
• I AM (Joh 4:26; 8:28; 8:58). There are 7 major I AM statements in this gospel:
• I am the bread of life (Joh 6:35)
• I am the light of the world (Joh 8:12; 9:5
• I am the door (Joh 10:7,11)
• I am the good shepherd (Joh 10:11)
• I am the resurrection and the life (Joh 11:25)
• I am the way, the truth, and the life (Joh 14:6)
• I am the true vine (Joh 15:1)

The End