King James Version

What Does John 21:3 Mean?

John 21:3 in the King James Version says “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into ...” — study this verse from John chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

John 21:3 · KJV

Context

1

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

2

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.

3

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.

4

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. Children: or, Sirs

Read John 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Peter's declaration Ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν (hypagō halieuein, 'I am going fishing') uses present tense, suggesting ongoing intent—not a single outing but return to his former profession. After the resurrection appearances, uncertainty about what comes next drives Peter back to what he knows.

The other disciples' response Ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί (erchometha kai hēmeis syn soi, 'We are coming also with you') shows solidarity. They follow Peter's lead, as they had followed Jesus. Yet this may represent regression—returning to their old life rather than waiting for Jesus's commission. Jesus had called them to be 'fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19); now they fish for fish again.

The detail that they caught nothing that night (ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν, ekeinē tē nykti epiasan ouden) is theologically loaded. Without Jesus, their labor is fruitless—exactly as He taught: 'Without me ye can do nothing' (John 15:5). Despite being professional fishermen on their home waters, they catch nothing. Human effort apart from Christ produces emptiness. This sets up the miraculous catch that follows, demonstrating that success in ministry (fishing for men) comes not from skill or effort but from Christ's presence and direction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Night fishing on the Sea of Galilee was common because fish rose to cooler surface waters after dark. Fishermen used nets (diktuon) cast from boats. A night's fishing expedition with no catch represented significant economic loss—time, energy, and potential income wasted.

Peter and others had been professional fishermen before Jesus called them. Returning to this trade after Jesus's death might seem practical—they had families to support and bills to pay. But Jesus had previously promised to make them fishers of men. This reversion to fishing fish, even temporarily, shows the disciples' confusion about their post-resurrection commission. They knew Jesus was risen but didn't yet understand their new mission.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways does Peter's return to fishing represent our tendency to revert to familiar patterns when uncertain about God's call?
  2. What does the disciples' fruitless night of fishing teach about human effort apart from Christ's blessing?
  3. How does this passage prepare us for the miraculous catch and recommissioning that follows?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
λέγουσιν1 of 27

“They say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ2 of 27

“unto him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Σίμων3 of 27

“Simon”

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

Πέτρος4 of 27

“Peter”

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

Ὑπάγω5 of 27

“I go”

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

ἁλιεύειν6 of 27

“a fishing”

G232

to be a fisher, i.e., (by implication) to fish

λέγουσιν7 of 27

“They say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ8 of 27

“unto him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἐρχόμεθα9 of 27

“go”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

καὶ10 of 27

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡμεῖς11 of 27

“We”

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

σὺν12 of 27

“with”

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

σοί13 of 27

“thee”

G4671

to thee

ἐξῆλθον14 of 27

“They went forth”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

καὶ15 of 27

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀνέβησαν16 of 27

“entered”

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

εἰς17 of 27

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ18 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλοῖον19 of 27

“a ship”

G4143

a sailer, i.e., vessel

εὐθὺς,20 of 27

“immediately”

G2117

straight, i.e., (literally) level, or (figuratively) true; adverbially (of time) at once

καὶ21 of 27

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν22 of 27

“that”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῃ23 of 27
G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῇ24 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νυκτὶ25 of 27

“night”

G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

ἐπίασαν26 of 27

“they caught”

G4084

to squeeze, i.e., seize (gently by the hand (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting (capture))

οὐδέν27 of 27

“nothing”

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

Study Guide

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 21:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 21:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 5:5Matthew 4:18-202 Thessalonians 3:7-9Luke 5:10-111 Thessalonians 2:92 Kings 6:1-7

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