Join Tim and John as they talk about life and study John Chapter 21 Verses 1-25
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction to John 21:1–25
“Restoration by the Sea” – When Grace Starts the Fire Again
John 21 serves as a powerful epilogue to the Gospel—a final chapter that brings closure not just to the story of Jesus, but to the hearts of His followers, especially Peter.
After the resurrection, Jesus doesn’t go straight to heaven. Instead, He returns to meet His disciples again—not in a temple, not on a throne, but on a beach, by the familia...
Join Tim and John as they talk about life and study John Chapter 21 Verses 1-25
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction to John 21:1–25
“Restoration by the Sea” – When Grace Starts the Fire Again
John 21 serves as a powerful epilogue to the Gospel—a final chapter that brings closure not just to the story of Jesus, but to the hearts of His followers, especially Peter.
After the resurrection, Jesus doesn’t go straight to heaven. Instead, He returns to meet His disciples again—not in a temple, not on a throne, but on a beach, by the familiar rhythm of water and waves. There, He kindles a fire of forgiveness, provision, and recommissioning.
This chapter is deeply pastoral. It shows us that:
- Jesus still pursues the weary,
- Still feeds the hungry,
- Still calls the fallen,
- And still sends the willing.
It is a chapter about second chances, about calling renewed, and about the kind of grace that cooks breakfast for the man who denied Him three times.
Key Themes You’ll Encounter:
- Provision in Failure – The disciples go fishing and catch nothing… until Jesus shows up. (vv. 1–14)
- Restoration of Peter – Jesus doesn’t ignore Peter’s denial—He heals it, one question at a time. (vv. 15–19)
- The Call to Follow – Jesus clarifies the cost of discipleship and the nature of calling. (vv. 20–23)
- Eyewitness Testimony – John signs off with confidence and purpose: “We know his testimony is true.” (vv. 24–25)
Contextual Setup:
- Location: Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee)—a return to the place where it all began.
- Timing: After the resurrection, before the ascension.
- Characters: Jesus, Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James & John), and two unnamed disciples.
This isn’t just a reunion—it’s a re-commissioning. Jesus doesn’t just prove He’s alive—He restores broken men and reignites their calling.
Why This Chapter Matters:
John 21 reminds us that even when we fail spectacularly, Jesus is not finished with us. He meets us not with shame, but with firelight, bread, and a question:
“Do you love Me?”
And when we say yes—however imperfectly—
He says:
“Then feed My sheep.”
Key Theme One: A Night of Failure, a Morning of Provision
(John 21:1–14)
From Empty Nets to Overflowing Grace
This section opens with a scene both familiar and symbolic: the disciples return to fishing. It’s what they knew before Jesus called them. After the trauma of the cross and the mystery of the resurrection, they’re adrift—not in belief, but in purpose.
Yet Jesus meets them not with rebuke, but with miraculous provision and a charcoal fire. It’s a story about grace in ordinary places and the quiet abundance of a Savior who still serves.
1. A Return to Familiar Waters (vv. 1–3)
“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’”
- Peter initiates a return to his old trade—perhaps from uncertainty, perhaps simply from need.
- The disciples join him, indicating a sense of aimlessness after Jesus’ resurrection.
Insight: When we don’t know what to do, we often retreat to what we know. But Jesus doesn’t call us backward—He meets us there to move us forward.
2. A Night of Emptiness (v. 3b)
“They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”
- Just like in Luke 5, their efforts produce no results.
- It’s not just a bad night—it reflects the futility of striving without Jesus.
Reflection: Labor apart from the Lord leads to exhaustion without fruit. He is the one who brings increase.
3. The Stranger on the Shore (vv. 4–5)
“Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus.”
- At dawn, Jesus appears—unrecognized at first.
- His question is tender and probing: “Children, do you have any fish?” It invites reflection, not shame.
Application: Jesus often comes to us unrecognized, asking questions that reveal our need before He meets it.
4. A Miraculous Catch (v. 6)
“Cast the net on the right side of the boat…”
- Simple obedience leads to staggering results: 153 large fish, more than they could manage.
- The net doesn’t break—unlike earlier (Luke 5). This time, grace holds.
Symbolism: This is a picture of the fruitfulness of ministry empowered by Jesus. When He directs the work, the nets fill.
5. Recognition and Response (vv. 7–8)
“It is the Lord!”… Peter threw himself into the sea.”
- John recognizes Jesus first—Peter responds with reckless love, diving in fully clothed to reach Jesus.
- The others bring in the catch. It’s a moment of both reverence and urgency.
Note: Different personalities, same response—run to Jesus.
6. Breakfast by the Fire (vv. 9–14)
“They saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.”
- Jesus already has food prepared—He doesn’t need their catch, but He invites them to bring it.
- The charcoal fire echoes Peter’s earlier denial (John 18:18)—setting the scene for restoration.
- Jesus feeds them—serving again, even in His resurrection.
Theological Beauty: The Risen Lord is still the humble Servant, inviting weary disciples to rest, eat, and be restored.
Summary: Grace After Failure
Symbol
Meaning
Empty nets
Our efforts without Jesus
Miraculous catch
Fruitfulness when we obey Him
Charcoal fire
A place of both memory and mercy
Bread and fish
His sustaining presence—He still provides
Reflection Questions:
- Where in my life am I laboring without Jesus’ direction?
- Have I mistaken His silence for absence?
- Am I willing to obey even simple instructions and trust Him with the results?
- Do I recognize His provision and invitation when He calls me to the shore?
Key Theme Two: Peter’s Restoration and the Call to Love
(John 21:15–19)
From Denial to Devotion — Grace that Restores and Commissions
Peter had denied Jesus three times by a charcoal fire (John 18:18). Now, standing before another charcoal fire, the risen Jesus gently leads him through a moment not of shame, but of restoration.
Jesus doesn’t merely forgive Peter—He recommissions him. This is the kind of grace that heals and sends.
1. “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” (v. 15)
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter…”
- Jesus addresses him not as “Peter,” the Rock, but as “Simon, son of John”—his given name.
- This echoes the moment of Peter’s original calling (John 1:42)—it’s a restart, not a rebuke.
Insight: Jesus brings Peter back to the beginning. Grace starts where failure ends.
- Jesus asks: “Do you love Me more than these?”
- “These” could mean: more than fishing? More than the other disciples?
- Peter once claimed he would never fall away—even if all the others did. Now, he simply says:
“Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”
Reflection: Grace softens pride. Peter doesn’t compare anymore—he just confesses.
2. “Feed My Lambs” – The Call to Shepherd (vv. 15–17)
Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, mirroring the three denials.
Question
Peter’s Response
Jesus’ Commission
“Do you love Me?”
“You know that I love You.”
“Feed My lambs.”
“Do you love Me?”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Tend My sheep.”
“Do you love Me?”
“Lord, You know everything…”
“Feed My sheep.”
The repetition is painful, but intentional. Jesus is healing Peter’s past with grace-laced precision.
- The wordplay shifts between agape (self-giving love) and phileo (brotherly affection), but the heart is clear:
Do you love Me? Then care for My people.
Application: Love for Jesus always results in love for others—especially His flock. True devotion is never just emotional—it’s active.
3. “Lord, You Know Everything” – The Honest Surrender (v. 17)
- By the third question, Peter is “grieved”—not just because of repetition, but because Jesus is probing the wound.
- Yet Peter leans into relationship, not performance:
“You know that I love You.”
Insight: Grace invites us to be known—fully and freely. Jesus doesn't need perfection; He wants honesty and love.
4. “Follow Me” – A Costly Call (vv. 18–19)
“When you were young… you went where you wanted. But when you are old…”
- Jesus now foretells Peter’s death—he will be led where he does not want to go.
(Tradition holds Peter was crucified upside down.)
- Even in this hard truth, Jesus’ voice is steady:
“Follow Me.”
Takeaway: Restoration is not just for healing—it’s for calling. Jesus doesn't just clean up our mess—He entrusts us with His mission.
Summary: Grace That Restores Purpose
Element
Meaning
Charcoal fire
Echo of Peter’s failure, now a place of healing
Three questions
Mirror the three denials—grace rewrites the story
Feeding sheep
Love in action—spiritual responsibility
“Follow Me”
Lifelong call, even unto death
Reflection Questions:
- What charcoal fires of failure is Jesus inviting me back to—not for shame, but for restoration?
- Am I ready to accept that Jesus can still use me—even after I’ve failed?
- What does “feeding His sheep” look like in my life today?
- Do I love Jesus enough to follow Him—even when it costs me something?
Key Theme Three: The Mystery of Calling and Final Testimony
(John 21:20–25)
“What About Him?” — Fixing Our Eyes on Our Own Race
As John’s Gospel draws to a close, we’re left with one final conversation—one that highlights a deeply human question: “What about them?” Peter has just been recommissioned, but now turns and sees John, prompting a question that opens up a profound teaching about calling, contentment, and trust.
1. Peter Looks at John (v. 20)
“Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them…”
- This is John, the beloved disciple, likely walking close behind.
- Peter, still processing his own restoration, becomes distracted by comparison.
Insight: Even after encountering grace, we can be tempted to look sideways—wondering how God will use someone else.
2. “What About Him?” (v. 21)
“Lord, what about this man?”
- Peter wants to know John’s future. Will he suffer too? Will he lead differently? What’s his path?
- It’s a natural question—but it reveals the ongoing battle between faith and comparison.
Reflection: Comparison robs us of calling. It shifts the focus from faithful obedience to insecure measurement.
3. Jesus’ Response: “Follow Me” (v. 22)
“If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
- Jesus doesn’t rebuke the question harshly—but redirects Peter’s heart.
- In essence: “His path is not your path. Your job is to follow Me.”
Core Truth: Your faithfulness is not measured against anyone else’s story.
4. A Misunderstood Prophecy (v. 23)
“So the saying spread… that this disciple would not die.”
- A misunderstanding spreads—a reminder that rumors can distort the truth, even with good intentions.
- John clarifies: Jesus wasn’t predicting his longevity—only affirming His authority over each disciple’s journey.
Takeaway: Don’t base theology on speculation. Stay rooted in what Jesus actually said, not what others assume He meant.
5. John’s Testimony and Final Words (vv. 24–25)
“This is the disciple who is bearing witness…”
- John identifies himself as the author of this Gospel. He stands not as a mythmaker, but as a faithful eyewitness.
- His closing thought is breathtaking:
“There are also many other things that Jesus did… the world itself could not contain the books…”
Beautiful Truth: The Gospel is true—and yet it’s only a glimpse of the full glory of Jesus. Eternity will be the library where we explore the rest.
Summary: Stay in Your Lane, Follow Your Call
Focus
Response
Peter’s comparison
Jesus says, “What is that to you?”
John’s future
Left a mystery—because that’s okay.
The command
“You follow Me.”
John’s witness
Honest, humble, enduring.
Jesus’ works
More than we could ever imagine.
Reflection Questions:
- Where am I tempted to compare my calling to someone else’s?
- Have I lost sight of Jesus’ simple command: “Follow Me”?
- Am I content with the role He’s given me, or distracted by someone else’s?
- Do I trust that Jesus writes each story with wisdom, even if I don’t understand it?
Conclusion to John 21:1–25 & the Gospel of John
“That You May Believe…and Follow”
John’s Gospel doesn’t end in a palace or a courtroom, but on a shoreline, with firelight, forgiveness, and a quiet recommissioning. It closes not with thunderous miracles, but with a personal conversation—Jesus, the risen King, restoring a broken disciple and calling him forward in love.
This is no accident. John ends here because this is where the Gospel always leads:
- From glory to humility
- From cosmic truth to personal transformation
- From belief to following
1. The Gospel Ends Where Discipleship Begins
Jesus doesn’t just rise from the dead—He goes after His people.
He finds them weary, confused, drifting. And He does what only a Shepherd can do:
- Feeds them
- Restores them
- Sends them
Peter’s story becomes our story. Grace finds us not just to forgive us, but to reignite our purpose. He calls us not to prove ourselves, but to follow Him.
2. The Heartbeat of John’s Gospel: Believe
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)
John isn’t just writing history—he’s writing for transformation.
His Gospel gave us:
- The mystery of the Word made flesh (John 1)
- The signs that revealed Jesus’ glory (water to wine, feeding the 5,000, raising Lazarus)
- The intimate moments of love, loss, betrayal, and grace
- The upper room discourse, where Jesus poured out His heart
- The cross, where the Lamb was lifted up
- The empty tomb, where death was defeated
- And the fire by the sea, where calling was rekindled
3. The Journey Forward: Follow Me
The final command to Peter—“Follow Me”—rings out like a seal on the scroll of the Gospel.
It’s not just for Peter. It’s for us.
- Not “perform for Me.”
- Not “fix yourself first.”
- Not “compare yourself to others.”
But:
“Follow Me.”
In your failure.
In your questions.
In your love.
Reflection & Application:
- Have you truly encountered the Jesus of John’s Gospel—not just the Teacher or the Miracle Worker, but the Lamb of God and Risen Lord?
- What part of your life still needs the healing of that charcoal fire?
- Where is Jesus calling you to follow Him today—not later, not perfectly, but honestly?
Final Word: The Gospel Is Bigger Than the Page
“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books…” (John 21:25)
The Gospel of John ends not with a period, but with an open invitation.
Because the story of Jesus didn’t stop at the resurrection—
it continues in you.
Believe. Behold. Follow.
And let the world see the living Christ in your story.
