John 21:1-19

Context

This passage comes right at the end of the Gospel of John (save for just a few concluding verses). John 21 reads as a rather strange epilogue to this gospel, especially after chapter 20 has provided a fairly neat conclusion—and, indeed, most scholars see this final chapter as a later addition.

There are no manuscript traditions that lack this epilogue, though, and the early church obviously viewed it as authentic and significant. We are told that this is Jesus’ third post-resurrection appearance to the disciples.

Preaching Angles

Fishing Bookends

If we read John together with the synoptic gospels, we find fishing narratives bookending Jesus’ earthly…