Lesson for November 30, 2025
The Book of John
Lesson 43
Chapter 21:1-25
Verses 1-15
“After these things Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He revealed Himself in this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas who was called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are also coming with you.’ They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you do not have any fish to eat, do you?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ 6 And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find the fish.’ So, they cast it, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great quantity of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ So, when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he was stripped for work) and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away, dragging the net full of fish. 9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already made and fish placed on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.’ 11 So Simon Peter went up and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples ventured to inquire of Him, ‘Who are You?’ knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.”
This is one of the many appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. “After these things” refers to the events of the previous chapter where Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the disciples. The appearances up to this point were in Jerusalem in the province of Judea, but this appearance is unique in that it occurred in Galilee. Jesus spent a great deal of time in Galilee, near the sea. Peter, Thomas, James and John (sons of Zebedee), Nathanael, and two other unnamed disciples (probably Philip and Andrew) because of their association with Galilee. According to Matthew 26:32 and 28:10, the disciples were supposed to meet Jesus in Galilee.
What we have in this story of Jesus and the disciples is a picture of evangelism. Remember that when Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John He said to them follow Me and I’ll make you fishers of men. This story illustrates the necessity of sharing the Gospel under the power and guidance of God the Holy Spirit. Like the disciples in this story, they were catching nothing until Jesus arrived and when they followed His instructions their nets became full!
The question of the need to witness for Christ should be obvious to any Christian. There are people without Christ that we can introduce to the Gospel. It is true that God is not limited by our lack of faithfulness to share the Gospel. However, in order for us to be obedient, we need to witness for Christ. It is always a great joy to see a person trust Christ as Savior as a result of our witness. (Luke 16:23-26; John 3:18; II Corinthians 5:11)
The most important reason to share the Gospel is that God has commanded us to do so. We are ambassadors for Christ and as His representatives, we have been entrusted with the Gospel message. (Mark 16:15; II Timothy 4:1-2; I Corinthians 9:16; II Corinthians 5:17-21)
The final reason for witnessing is that it is our privilege as believers. God could have chosen angels to carry the message of salvation, but He didn’t. God gave us that privilege. If God loved us so much to send Christ as our substitute, it only makes sense that we would want to share this information with others. (I Thessalonians 2:4,19; II Corinthians 5:19; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; John 15:8)
Verses 15-17
“Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, Son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’ 16 He said to him again, a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’”
Jesus was now going to teach His disciples some Bible doctrine. He did it by dialoguing with Peter about believers, called sheep in these verses. Notice the three different words that Jesus used with regard to His sheep. Jesus spoke to Peter, but the message was for all His disciples who would have the responsibility of taking care of His sheep after He returned to Heaven.
Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, Son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’ The Greek word for tend is “bosko,” which means to feed or care for, as a shepherd does with his sheep, with faithfulness and a true sense of responsibility. In this case, Jesus called believers lambs, which was a reference to new believers. This dialogue is an illustration of a pastor “feeding” new believers the Word of God.
He said to him again, a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’ The Greek word for shepherd is “poimen,” which means to oversee, and guide the sheep. It is a reference to a pastor communicating doctrine to those believers who are maturing in their faith. Sometimes it involves gentle guidance and sometimes it involves a sterner rebuke.
He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ The Greek word for tend is “bosko,” which means to feed and care for, but this time it refers to adult sheep, spiritually mature believers. Pastors are to feed believers the Word of God in all three categories.
Verses 18-25
“’Truly, truly I tell you, when you were younger, you used to put on your belt and walk wherever you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put your belt on you, and bring you where you do not want to go.’ 19 Now He said this, indicating by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had said this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ 20 Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them—the one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who is betraying You?’ 21 So Peter, upon seeing him, said to Jesus, ‘Lord, and what about this man?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’ 23 Therefore this account went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?’ 24 This is the disciple who is testifying about these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were written in detail, I expect that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”
When Peter was young, he dressed himself and went where he pleased. He was independent and very dynamic as a young man. When he got old, he was going to need help getting dressed and moving around. Jesus was telling Peter, as He is telling us, that we all need to be doing the work of Christ, while we are able to do so. The older we get, the more helpless we become (unable to fill our nets with the fish). Peter got the message as illustrated in II Peter 1:12-21. In his old age, Peter was going to be weak and taken by others and crucified, which will bring glory to God. Therefore, Jesus said to Peter (and to us), ‘Follow Me!’
Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them—the one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who is betraying You? Peter could not resist sticking his nose into another’s business and Jesus called him out on it. Jesus told Peter to follow Him and Peter became distracted by wanting to know if John would eventually betray Him. Jesus ignored Peter’s question regarding John and told him to mind his own business. Jesus said to him, “If I will that he (John) remain till I come, what is that to you?
Jesus asserted that Peter should not concern himself with the will of God for others. It was none of his business what would happen to John. If John should remain on earth until Jesus comes back, that was of no concern to Peter. Peter should concern himself only with the will of God for him, not John.
The result of Peter’s question resulted in a rumor spread among the disciples that John would never die because of Jesus’ use of the word “remain.” This was a misunderstanding of what Jesus said and He corrected them. Whether John died then or later was none of Peter’s concern. God’s plan for John was not the same as His plan for Peter.
What God chooses to do with other people is none of our business. Sometimes Christians are more concerned about what happens in other believers’ lives than the will of God for their own lives. God’s will is not the same for everyone. Our responsibility is to take care of our own spiritual lives!
But there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were written in detail, I expect that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.