New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
John 21
1
After this, Jesus appeared to his disciples again. It was by the Sea of Galilee. Here is what happened.
Reference
2
Simon Peter and Thomas, who was called Didymus, were there together. Nathanael from Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee were with them. So were two other disciples.
Reference
3
"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them. They said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat. That night they didn't catch anything.
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4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore. But the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
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6
He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat. There you will find some fish." When they did, they could not pull the net into the boat. There were too many fish in it.
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7
Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Simon Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Peter heard that, he put his coat on. He had taken it off earlier. Then he jumped into the water.
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8
The other disciples followed in the boat. They were towing the net full of fish. The shore was only about 100 yards away.
9
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals. There were fish on it. There was also some bread.
10
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11
Simon Peter climbed into the boat. He dragged the net to shore. It was full of large fish. There were 153 of them. But even with that many fish the net was not torn.
12
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
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13
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same thing with the fish.
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Parallel theme
John 21:9
14
This was the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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References Jesus
John 20:26
15
When Jesus and the disciples had finished eating, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter. He asked, "Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord," he answered. "You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Reference
Love
1 John 4:19
1 Peter 1:8
Ephesians 6:24
1 John 5:1
John 16:27
Parallel theme
Romans 15:1
Isaiah 40:11
Acts 20:28
Jeremiah 3:15
Ezekiel 34:23
16
Again Jesus asked, "Simon, son of John, do you really love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
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17
Jesus spoke to him a third time. He asked, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt bad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He answered, "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
Reference
Love
John 14:15
John 15:10
Parallel theme
John 16:30
Revelation 2:23
Ephesians 4:30
Acts 15:8
Psalm 17:3
References Jesus
John 13:38
Mark 14:72
18
What I'm about to tell you is true. When you were younger, you dressed yourself. You went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands. Someone else will dress you. Someone else will lead you where you do not want to go."
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Parallel theme
John 13:36
19
Jesus said this to point out how Peter would die. His death would bring glory to God. Then Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"
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20
Peter turned around. He saw that the disciple Jesus loved was following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper. He had said, "Lord, who is going to hand you over to your enemies?"
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21
When Peter saw that disciple, he asked, "Lord, what will happen to him?"
22
Jesus answered, "Suppose I want him to remain alive until I return. What does that matter to you? You must follow me."
Reference
23
Because of what Jesus said, a false report spread among the believers. The story was told that the disciple Jesus loved wouldn't die. But Jesus did not say he would not die. He only said, "Suppose I want him to remain alive until I return. What does that matter to you?"
Reference
24
This is the disciple who gives witness to these things. He also wrote them down. We know that his witness is true.
Reference
25
Jesus also did many other things. What if every one of them were written down? I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 40:5
Psalm 71:15
Job 26:14
Hebrews 11:32
Matthew 11:5
Ecclesiastes 12:12
References Jesus
Acts 10:38
Acts 20:35
Summary of John 21
John 21 describes another appearance of the risen Jesus to His disciples beside the Sea of Tiberias, where Jesus performs a miraculous catch of fish, shares breakfast with His followers, restores Peter, and teaches him to remain focused on his own calling.
The chapter begins with Peter and several other disciples returning to fishing.
After working throughout the night, they have caught nothing.
At dawn, Jesus appears on the shore, although they do not initially recognize Him.
He tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat, and they suddenly catch a huge number of fish.
This miraculous catch causes the disciple Jesus loved to recognize that the person on the shore is the Lord.
Peter immediately reacts by jumping into the water and going toward Jesus.
When the disciples reach the shore, they discover that Jesus has already prepared a charcoal fire, bread, and fish for them.
He invites them to bring some of their catch and then serves them breakfast.
The scene demonstrates that the risen Jesus is not distant or detached from His followers but continues to care for them, provide for them, and share ordinary moments with them.
John records that the net contains 153 large fish, yet it does not break, emphasizing the extraordinary abundance of the catch.
After breakfast, Jesus turns His attention specifically to Peter.
He asks Peter three times whether he loves Him.
The repeated questioning corresponds closely to Peter's three denials of Jesus during the night of His arrest.
Instead of permanently defining Peter by his failure, Jesus gives him an opportunity to affirm his love three times and then entrusts him with responsibility for caring for His followers.
Jesus tells Peter to feed and shepherd His sheep, showing that restoration also brings responsibility.
Peter is not merely forgiven and returned to his previous life; he is restored to active service.
Jesus then tells Peter that his future will involve suffering and eventually death.
Peter will not always be free to choose where he goes, and John explains that Jesus' words point toward the way Peter would eventually glorify God through his death.
Jesus then gives Peter the simple command, “Follow me.”
This command is especially meaningful because Peter had previously promised to follow Jesus but had failed when fear overtook him.
Now, after the resurrection and restoration, Jesus calls him to follow again, this time with a deeper understanding of the cost of discipleship.
Peter then notices the disciple Jesus loved following them and asks Jesus what will happen to him.
Jesus responds by telling Peter not to make another person's future the focus of his attention.
Whether that disciple lives longer or has a different path is not Peter's responsibility.
Peter's responsibility is simply to follow Jesus faithfully.
This provides an important lesson about discipleship: believers should not measure their calling by comparing themselves with other people.
John then corrects a misunderstanding that had developed among the believers concerning the disciple Jesus loved.
Some had interpreted Jesus' words as meaning that this disciple would not die, but John clarifies that Jesus had not actually made that promise.
The Gospel closes by emphasizing the reliability of the disciple's testimony and acknowledging that Jesus did many other things that were not recorded.
John therefore ends by reminding readers that the written Gospel is a carefully selected testimony designed to reveal who Jesus is and what He accomplished.
The central message of John 21 is that the risen Jesus restores His followers after failure, provides for them, gives them meaningful responsibility, and calls them to follow Him faithfully without comparing their journey with someone else's.
Peter's story is particularly powerful because he moves from failure to restoration, from denial to responsibility, and from fear to a willingness to follow Jesus even when that path will eventually involve suffering.
The chapter also shows that Christian service is not based on being perfect or never having failed.
Peter had denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus still entrusted him with the care of His people.
His restoration demonstrates that failure does not necessarily disqualify someone from future service when there is genuine repentance, love, and renewed commitment.
The final command, “Follow me,” brings John's Gospel to a fitting conclusion because the Christian life is ultimately centered not merely on knowing facts about Jesus but on loving Him, trusting Him, serving His people, and continuing to follow Him regardless of the personal cost.
The chapter begins with Peter and several other disciples returning to fishing.
After working throughout the night, they have caught nothing.
At dawn, Jesus appears on the shore, although they do not initially recognize Him.
He tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat, and they suddenly catch a huge number of fish.
This miraculous catch causes the disciple Jesus loved to recognize that the person on the shore is the Lord.
Peter immediately reacts by jumping into the water and going toward Jesus.
When the disciples reach the shore, they discover that Jesus has already prepared a charcoal fire, bread, and fish for them.
He invites them to bring some of their catch and then serves them breakfast.
The scene demonstrates that the risen Jesus is not distant or detached from His followers but continues to care for them, provide for them, and share ordinary moments with them.
John records that the net contains 153 large fish, yet it does not break, emphasizing the extraordinary abundance of the catch.
After breakfast, Jesus turns His attention specifically to Peter.
He asks Peter three times whether he loves Him.
The repeated questioning corresponds closely to Peter's three denials of Jesus during the night of His arrest.
Instead of permanently defining Peter by his failure, Jesus gives him an opportunity to affirm his love three times and then entrusts him with responsibility for caring for His followers.
Jesus tells Peter to feed and shepherd His sheep, showing that restoration also brings responsibility.
Peter is not merely forgiven and returned to his previous life; he is restored to active service.
Jesus then tells Peter that his future will involve suffering and eventually death.
Peter will not always be free to choose where he goes, and John explains that Jesus' words point toward the way Peter would eventually glorify God through his death.
Jesus then gives Peter the simple command, “Follow me.”
This command is especially meaningful because Peter had previously promised to follow Jesus but had failed when fear overtook him.
Now, after the resurrection and restoration, Jesus calls him to follow again, this time with a deeper understanding of the cost of discipleship.
Peter then notices the disciple Jesus loved following them and asks Jesus what will happen to him.
Jesus responds by telling Peter not to make another person's future the focus of his attention.
Whether that disciple lives longer or has a different path is not Peter's responsibility.
Peter's responsibility is simply to follow Jesus faithfully.
This provides an important lesson about discipleship: believers should not measure their calling by comparing themselves with other people.
John then corrects a misunderstanding that had developed among the believers concerning the disciple Jesus loved.
Some had interpreted Jesus' words as meaning that this disciple would not die, but John clarifies that Jesus had not actually made that promise.
The Gospel closes by emphasizing the reliability of the disciple's testimony and acknowledging that Jesus did many other things that were not recorded.
John therefore ends by reminding readers that the written Gospel is a carefully selected testimony designed to reveal who Jesus is and what He accomplished.
The central message of John 21 is that the risen Jesus restores His followers after failure, provides for them, gives them meaningful responsibility, and calls them to follow Him faithfully without comparing their journey with someone else's.
Peter's story is particularly powerful because he moves from failure to restoration, from denial to responsibility, and from fear to a willingness to follow Jesus even when that path will eventually involve suffering.
The chapter also shows that Christian service is not based on being perfect or never having failed.
Peter had denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus still entrusted him with the care of His people.
His restoration demonstrates that failure does not necessarily disqualify someone from future service when there is genuine repentance, love, and renewed commitment.
The final command, “Follow me,” brings John's Gospel to a fitting conclusion because the Christian life is ultimately centered not merely on knowing facts about Jesus but on loving Him, trusting Him, serving His people, and continuing to follow Him regardless of the personal cost.