King James Version

What Does John 21:1 Mean?

“After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.”

Context

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **After these things.**—Comp. the same expression in John 5:1; John 6:1; John 7:1. It denotes not immediate succession, but rather an interval during which other events have taken place. Here it connects the events of this chapter with the Gospel which has been brought to a conclusion in John 20:30-31. At a later period than the last-mentioned there, occurred the events to be mentioned here. **Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples.**—Better, *He manifested Himself again to the disciples.* The word “Jesus” is of uncertain authority, and has probably been inserted because a Church Lesson began at this place. (Comp. Notes on John 6:14.) The pronoun connects the narrative immediately with that which has gone before. The word rendered “shewed Himself” (*manifested Himself*) is used elsewhere of our Lord’s appearance only in Mark 16:12; Mark 16:14, where it is passive (see Note there), and in John 21:14 of this chapter. The argument that this chapter is not the original part of St. John’s Gospel cannot, however, be fairly said to be strengthened by this fact. The word occurs only once besides in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 4:22), while it is distinctly a Johannine word (John 1:31; John 2:11; John 3:21; John 7:4; John 9:3; John 17:6; 1John 1:2 (twice); 1John 2:19; 1John 2:28; 1John 3:2 (twice), 1John 3:5; 1John 3:8; 1John 4:9; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 15:4). The reflective expression, “manifested Himself,” is, moreover, in St. John’s style. (Comp. John 7:4; John 11:33.) The word “again” is another link with what has gone before, connecting this manifestation with that of John 20:19; John 20:26. **At the sea of Tiberias.**—Comp. Note on John 6:1. The name is found only in St. John. (1) The impression that St. John would not die belongs to the period when the Second Advent was looked for as within the limits of lifetime. This period ceased with the first generation of Christians, and the mistake would therefore point to the close of the first century as a limit beyond which’ the date of the Gospel cannot be placed.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 21:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.