Do You Love Me More than These?

John 21:1–25  – That You May Believe
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time  – July 27, 2025 (am)     

The purpose statement that ends c.20 would’ve made a great place for John to end his Gospel: 20:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. There is John’s bottom line purpose and point in writing his Gospel. But he added our c.21 as if it were an Epilogue, balancing his rich Prologue in c.1 (vv.1-18) (Carson 1991 664). It puts some finishing touches on his story, tying off a few loose ends, especially with regard to Peter, but also for John himself, [the disciple whom Jesus loved] (20, 7). Let’s just read and comment and be blessed.

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way, a good transition. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together, seven of the eleven; the group wasn’t even all together. Something’s not right. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. So, enough time has passed after the crucifixion and resurrection for this group to get back up north to Galilee—home, but a long way from Jerusalem. Peter wants to go fishing. And the others agree (3).

Two quick points: first, the last thing John recorded Peter saying were his answers to the accusations that he was with Jesus. Three times he said: I am not (18:17, 25, [27]). And second the last time all the disciples said something like, [we’ll] go with you (3), although John doesn’t record it, was when Peter said to Jesus: 13:37 … “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” Matthew and Mark record that all the disciples said the same (Mat.26:35; cf., Mar.14:31). So…

What do you think is going on here? What do you hear when Peter says: [I’m] going fishing, and the others decide to go along? Maybe it was: [Well, back to life as usual, I guess]. More likely it was: [I have no idea what to do now; at least I know how to fish]. For Peter, it could’ve been: [I denied Jesus; there’s no role for me anymore]! And maybe the others were just comforting him by going along with him. In other words, they’re doing what most of us would’ve done.

But! 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” That sounds a bit odd, but it’s roughly equivalent to our saying: [Hey guys], have you [caught anything]? (Carson 1991 670) They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” How much sense does that make? None! But this had happened before, when Peter, James, and John were first called to be disciples (Luk.5:4-11). Coincidence? So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, or wrapped it around himself—this is the same verb John used to describe Jesus tying a towel around his waist [before] washing his disciples’ feet (Carson 1991 671)—for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. Evidently, they couldn’t get their catch into the boat! Meanwhile, Peter swam a hundred yards, wrapped in a cloak! He probably should’ve just walked on the water!

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place—recall the last time we heard of a charcoal fire? Peter was warming himself by a charcoal fire when he denied Jesus the first time (18:18). Again, no coincidence—with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. Peter alone hauled the net ashore, the one all of them together had struggled to manage! (6) And John notes that, although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them—what does that bring to mind? (The Last Supper? [Mar.14:22])—and so with the fish. How about this? (The feeding of the 5,000? [Mar.6:30-44]) John concludes this part, saying: 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

But he’s not done. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” More than [what], the fish? More than [the other disciples]? More than [the other disciples love me]? Answer: Yes, I do. You know I do! He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” The work Jesus has for Peter isn’t finished! 16 [Jesus] said to him 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, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. And with that, the self-disqualified disciple was clearly reinstated, witnessed by each of his friends present. Then Jesus gave him some insight into his future. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” This seems to be an image of crucifixion, not unlike what happened with Jesus. John helps clarify that here: 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death [Peter] was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, once again (1:43; 10:27), “Follow me.” There’s the bottom line: Follow me; feed my sheep; tend my lambs. [Shepherd] my [people], just as I called you to do from the start. Follow me even if, even though, it will lead you to your own death to glorify God.

And Peter followed! Acts testifies to it. But his letters are pure gold. For us! Do you recall what he wrote to the elect exiles of the Dispersion (1Pe.1:1), those displaced from their homes by persecution? 1Pe.1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. … 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. … 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (cf., Luk.22:31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.) 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Peter knew this to be true! How much does it mean to us to hear this reassurance through Peter himself?

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” [What’s going to happen with John?] He may have been asking: [Is John also going to die to glorify God?] 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Translation: [That’s not of your business.] You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die, John speaking of himself; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “[That’s none of your business, Peter!]” John did live to be an old man, though. He was sent to Ephesus to pastor that church through some hard times (1-3Jo.), then he wrote Revelation while in exile on Patmos. And here he wrote: 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. But, his testimony is [brief and very selective]. So, he added, echoing 20:31, but this time John’s personal confession: 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books …, and not because of the sheer volume of His works, though that was great, but even more because of the significance of each and every thing He did.

Conclusion

So, what is our takeaway from all this? Two Questions and Three Reminders

Two Questions… (raised for us from c.21)

1. We should pause and ask ourselves: Are we good, each of us, with Peter’s calling from Jesus? Follow me (19). This is worth asking because it’s very similar to our own calling to give our lives to the service of our Lord, to spend our lives for His glory. 20:21 Jesus said to them, and to us, “… As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” We have work to do!

2. Our calling may not be to shepherd God’s people in the same ways Peter did, but it’ll surely be to serve His Kingdom in similar ways. Will we find this work satisfying? Does it sound like a full and satisfying life to us, to resist denying Jesus and instead defend Him, declare His glory? Is there anything else that we’d truly find more satisfying?

… and Three Reminders (from the Gospel of John as a whole)

1. This Jesus we meet in the Gospel of John is our Savior. He alone can reconcile us to God (14:6 … I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.). If you’ve not done that, how about today?

2. This Jesus we meet in the Gospel of John is our Lord. He’s in sovereign command over everything that’s ever been made (1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.) and over everything that happens with us (1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God). And He’s good. We can trust Him. Why?

3. This Jesus we meet in the Gospel of John is our Friend (15:15 … I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from the father I have made known to you.). He’s present with all of us who believe, strengthening us in every good work (2Co.9:8), and in every weakness or failure that could dishearten us.

Seeing Jesus as John has presented Him, let’s believe in Him—the [promised Savior], the Son of God—and let’s enjoy life in his name together! (20:31)

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Resources

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Barclay, William. 1975. The Daily Study Bible Series. The Gospel of John, Revised Edition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.

Beale, G. K., & D. A. Carson, eds. 2007. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. John, by Andreas J. Köstenberger, 415-512. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Bruce, F. F. 1983. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

                  , Gordon D. Fee, & Ned B. Stonehouse, gen. eds. 1995. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. The Gospel According to John, Revised Edition, by Leon Morris. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

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Carson, D. A., gen. ed. 1991. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. The Gospel According to John, by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

                  , R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham, eds. 1994. New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. John, by Donald Guthrie, 1021-1065. Leicester, Eng.: InterVarsity.

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Dever, Mark. 2005. The Message of the New Testament. Ch. 4, The Message of John: Jesus, the Son of God, 101-122. Wheaton: Crossway.

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Martin, Ralph P., & Lynn Allan Losie, NT eds. 1999. Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 36, John, Second Edition, by George R. Beasley-Murray. Dallas: Word.

Morris, Leon, gen. ed. 2003. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Vol. 4, John, by Colin G. Kruse. Downers Grove: InterVarsity.

Osborne, Grant, ed. 1993. Life Application Bible Commentary. John, by Bruce B. Barton, Philip W. Comfort, David R. Veerman, & Neil Wilson. Wheaton: Tyndale.

Tasker, R. V. G. 2000. Tyndale New Testament Commentary. Vol. 4, John. Leicester, Eng.: InterVarsity.

Tenney, Merrill C. 1976. John: The Gospel of Belief. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

NEXT SUNDAY: All Is Vanity, Ecclesiastes 1:1–4:8, Starting 4 part series in Ecclesiastes: What’s the Point?