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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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GOSPEL OF JOHN Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert D. Son of God’s Epilogue 21:1–25 [27 - (Jn 21:1-25)] 1. The Son of God’s Third Post‑Resurrection Appearance to
the Group (21:1‑14) a) There are a number of interesting items in John’s epilogue. (1) An “epilogue” is a concluding section at
the end of a literary work. It was a necessary conclusion to John’s Gospel
which contained a prologue (Jn 1:1‑18), body of content (Jn 1:19‑20:30),
purpose statement (Jn 20:31), and an epilogue (Jn 21:1‑25). (2) Chapter 21 is an epilogue and therefore
John’s purpose statement was written at the end of chapter 20. (3) John’s epilogue may answer the moot
controversy as to how many signs John included to show that Jesus was the Son
of God. There are seven if one does not include the miracle of the fish in
the epilogue: #1) water into Wine (Jn 2:1‑12); #2) healed Nobleman’s
Son (Jn 4:46‑54); #3) healed man at Bethesda (Jn 5:1-17); #4) fed 5,000 (Jn 6:1-14); #5) walked on water (Jn 6:15-21); #6) healed a
blind man (Jn 9:1-41); #7) and raised Lazarus (Jn 11:17-45). (4) Either way it was a miracle of Jesus and
showed that He was the Son of God. (5) The epilogue reiterated the disciple’s
commission, resolved Peter’s denials, and revealed Peter’s type of death. b) John records only three of Jesus’ post‑resurrection
appearances and states this was the “third” (21:14) that Jesus manifested
Himself to His disciples. John obviously was referring to the times that
Jesus appeared to the group of the disciples (Jn 20:2-0‑25; 26‑31;
21:1‑14). Here seven disciples are mentioned (21:2). c) Jesus’ disciples waited for Him at the
Sea of Tiberias (another name for the Sea of
Galilee). Peter decided to go fishing and the others went along (21:3). This
was not a pronouncement that the disciples had gone back into their old
profession of fishing. Rather they appear to simply have been killing time while
they waited for Jesus. d) It was at this time that Jesus appeared.
The disciples did not recognize Him right away, which may mean that 100 yards
was a distance too far for them to clearly see Jesus. This would not have to
mean that He had to open their understanding once again. They did not
recognize His voice right away until He shouted, “Cast the net on the
right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” They would
have recognized these instructions because they were the same instructions He
gave in Lk 5:4‑9. Jesus’ lesson was fitting for He told them in the
beginning that He would make them fishers of men (Lk 5:10) and now He
reiterated that commission. e) John was the first to recognize Jesus and
Peter was the first to act upon that knowledge. Peter dove into the water and
swam to the Lord while the other disciples rowed the boat ashore. The fish
they caught totaled 153, but Jesus supernaturally had fish and bread ready
for them. 2. The Son of God asks for Three Affirmations from Peter (21:15‑17) a) It is supposed by some that Jesus may have privately settled
the issue of Peter’s three denials when He first appeared to Peter (Lk 24:34;
1Co 15:5a). But the issue would now be settled in the presence of the other
disciples. b) After they finished breakfast, Jesus asked
Peter three times (no doubt in regard to His three denials) about his total
commitment to the Lord. c) There was a bold comparison with the word
“love” used by Jesus and the word “love” used by Peter. With Jesus’ first two
inquiries about Peter’s love (21:15, 16), He used the Greek word agapáō, which suggests a self‑sacrificial
love and commitment. Peter’s responses however reflected the usage of the
Greek word philéō and
referred to friendship or familial fondness. Perhaps Peter was cognizant of
his three earlier denials, had learned his lesson, and no longer could boast
about himself over the other disciples (Mt 26:33, 35; Lk 22:33; Jn 13:37‑38).
This would suggest that when Jesus said, “do you love Me more than these?” he
meant “more than the other disciples love Me” (Expositor’s, Kent, BKC, Wiersbe, Baker). Otherwise, the
question would have reference to Peter going back to the profession of
fishing, though the text suggests that was probably not the case (see note
1c). On Jesus’ third question, He used Peter’s word philéō.
This teaches that Jesus asks for a total commitment from believers. But
it also teaches that He understands and accepts us through our struggles
while we strive to be totally committed. d) There is one other lesson that Jesus
taught. Each time Peter would answer, Jesus concluded with, “Tend My lambs”
(15), “Shepherd My sheep” (16), or “Tend My sheep” (17). The Greek verb for
“tend” (15, 17) is boskō and means
to feed or tend while grazing. Jesus Himself prayed that the Father would
sanctify the church through the truth of the Word (Jn 17:17). This would
certainly intend that Peter, as an apostle of Christ, would feed all
believers (new in the faith or mature) through the teaching of the Word (1Pe
2:2; 1Co 3:2; He 5:12‑13). The word for “shepherd” (poimaínō
‑ shepherd or pastor), also contains overtones of teaching as in a
“pastor‑teacher” (tous poimenas kai didaskalous) in Ep 4:11. Each exhortation by Jesus
was a present imperative which literally meant, “You must keep on feeding and
teaching My sheep” (cp. Ac 2:42; 6:4) 3. The Son of God Foretells the Disciples’ Future (21:18‑23) a) As Jesus had done before (Lk 22:31‑32; Jn 13:37‑38;
15:20; Mt 26:31‑35), He forewarned Peter of the trial ahead of him.
This time it was in reference to the type of death Peter will experience.
Jesus described that when Peter became older, he would be led where he did
not wish to go and his hands would be stretched out. Tradition tells us that
Peter was crucified upside down because he did not consider himself worthy to
be crucified like His Lord. Therefore, Peter was to be faithful and “follow”
in Jesus’ example (1Pe 2:21). b) Then Peter asked about John’s future,
probably in reference to his death. John described himself as the “one who
also had leaned back on His bosom” and the one who said at the supper,
"Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" c) Jesus answered Peter with a hypothetical
comment saying, even if John would remain until He comes again, Peter was to
“follow Jesus.” Peter was not to be preoccupied with what happens to John in
the future. He was to focus on Jesus’ explicit command. John writes in his
narrative that some believed the rumor that John would not die but remain
alive until Christ’s coming. John died in A.D. 100 of old age. However, he
was banished to the Isle of Patmos tradition where he wrote the book of
Revelation. Tradition suggests that he may have been tortured by being boiled
in oil but came out unscathed. He was the only apostle to escape a violent
death. 4. John’s Final Comments (21:24‑25) a) John testifies for the final time that the things he had
written were true (cp. Jn 19:35). The phrase “we know” has led some to
believe that the last two verses were added by others (e.g. scribe, elders,
or church) because they are plural. However, the inclusion of “we” at times
is a literary device. b) John’s final comment supports his claim
that he did not attempt to include everything in his gospel, but just the
sayings and events that would provide proof that Jesus was the Christ, the
Son of God. Those who place their trust in Christ as a result of John’s
gospel believe John’s gospel have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. c) The gospel of John is an excellent gospel
tract for an unbeliever to come to Christ. It is also an excellent book that
strengthens the believer’s faith in the Person and Work of Christ. John’s
gospel was written to the church and the church is ever indebted for a
magnificent account of our Savior, the Christ, the
Son of God. |
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