John 21

Jesus Appears at the Sea of Tiberias

1After these things Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. And he revealed himself in this way. 2Simon Peter, Thomas (who is called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you also.” They went out and got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Then Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6And he said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” 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. 8But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits, dragging the net full of fish. 9So when they had come onto the land, they saw a charcoal fire laid there, and fish placed on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish—one hundred fifty-three; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come, eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15So when they had eaten 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, “Feed my lambs.” 16He 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.” 17He 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 all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

18Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and walk where you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 20Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following—who also had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and said, “Lord, who is it who is betraying you?” 21So when Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 23Therefore this saying went out among the brothers that that disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and who wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself would not have room for the books that would be written.