NLT Study Bible - Gospel of John - Flipbook - Page 56
John 21:25
1817
12“Now come and have some breakfast!”
J esus said. None of the disciples dared to ask
him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the
Lord. 13Then Jesus served them the bread
and the fish. 14This was the third time Jesus
had appeared to his disciples since he had
been raised from the dead.
21:14
John 20:19, 26
21:15
Matt 26:33
21:16
Acts 20:28
Heb 13:20-21
1 Pet 5:2-3
jpoimaino (4165)
Acts 20:28
21:17
John 13:37-38; 16:30
21:19
John 13:36
2 Pet 1:14
21:20
John 13:23, 25
21:22
Matt 16:27
21:24
John 15:27; 19:35
1 Jn 1:1-3
3 Jn 1:12
21:25
John 20:30
kbiblion (0975)
2 Tim 4:13
Peter’s Restoration
breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more
than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love
you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16Jesus repeated the quest ion: “Simon
son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love
you.”
“Then jtake care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17A third time he asked him, “Simon son
of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the ques
tion a third time. He said, “Lord, you know
everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18“I tell you the truth, when you were
young, you were able to do as you liked; you
dressed yourself and went wherever you
15After
21:12-13 None of the disciples dared
to ask him, “Who are you?” Jesus’
resurrected appearance was different.
His offer of fish and bread removed all
uncertainties (cp. 6:11; Luke 24:30).
21:14 This scene on the beach was
the third time Jesus had appeared (see
20:11-23, 26-29).
21:15-17 do you love me? The three
questions and affirmations mirror Peter’s three denials (18:15-18, 25-27). Jesus invited Peter to reaffirm everything
he had denied. The Greek term translated love in Jesus’ first two questions
(agapao) is different from the word in
his third question (phileo). In each case,
Peter answered with the second word
(phileo). Most Greek scholars view the
two words as synonyms in this situation.
The focus of Jesus’ exchange with Peter
was not the quality of Peter’s love, but
Peter’s commission to take care of Jesus’
flock. Peter might be meditating on
these events in 1 Pet 5:2-4.
21:15 more than these? Or more than
these others do? Jesus was reminding
Peter of his insistence that he would be
more faithful and courageous than the
others (13:37; Matt 26:33; Mark 14:29).
He was urging Peter to examine himself.
21:17 feed my sheep: Jesus, who knows
wanted to go. But when you are old, you
will stretch out your hands, and others will
dress you and take you where you don’t
want to go.” 19Jesus said this to let him know
by what kind of death he would glorify God.
Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
20Peter turned around and saw behind
them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who
had leaned over to Jesus during supper and
asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21Peter
asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
22Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain
alive until I return, what is that to you? As
for you, follow me.” 23So the rumor spread
among the communit y of believers that this
disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what
Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him
to remain alive until I return, what is that to
you?”
Concluding Remarks
disciple is the one who testifies to
these events and has recorded them here.
And we know that his account of these
things is accurate.
25Jesus also did many other things. If
they were all written down, I suppose the
whole world could not contain the kbooks
that would be written.
24This
all things (1:42; 2:25; 16:30), understood that despite Peter’s terrible failing, he still had faith and commitment
to Jesus. These words called Peter to
nurture and protect Christ’s followers.
21:18 you will stretch out your hands:
Jesus was probably predicting crucifixion, which according to tradition is how
Peter died. others (some manuscripts
read another one) will dress you (literally bind you): Jesus alludes to captivity,
bondage, and even crucifixion—victims
were often tied to the cross.
21:19 Peter’s life was a ministry tending the flock of God, and his martyrdom
was a kind of death that glorifies God.
Follow me: This might require suffering and death (see 13:16; 15:18-21).
21:20-22 “What about him, Lord?”
Peter asked Jesus about the fate of John,
wondering if he, too, would experience
martyrdom. Jesus’ answer was abrupt:
It was not Peter’s business to know how
or when John would die. Peter’s only
task was to follow Jesus, which John
was already doing. This episode forms
the core of John’s concept of discipleship: What matters most for the disciple
of Jesus is to follow him and do his will,
come what may.
21:23 Jesus’ words to Peter spread,
causing some to conclude that John
would not die until Jesus returned in
his second coming. Jesus’ rebuke to
Peter (21:22) is repeated to answer that
rumor. Those among the community of
believers (literally the brothers) who believed this rumor were thus instructed
to abandon any speculation about
John. According to tradition, John died
peacefully in Ephesus at an old age,
surrounded by fellow believers.
21:24 This disciple is the one who testifies . . . and has recorded: John’s Gospel
is anchored in his personal experiences.
It is not a story written from hearsay or
speculation, but from the remembrance
of a man who spent life-changing years
with Jesus and recalled, with the help
of the Holy Spirit (14:26), what Jesus
said and did. we know: This account
of the life of Christ was not speculation
or weak reminiscence. Rather, it was
based on the confident knowledge of
reliable eyewitness accounts.
21:25 the whole world could not
contain the books: John ends his Gospel
acknowledging that the story he has
described is larger than anything he can
imagine or fully communicate. Though
it is glorious for us to read, John’s account pales in comparison to the glory
of the person it describes.
