John 21:1

CHAP. XXI.

THis Chapter contains (beside the conclusion of the whole Book) a Narration of a new appearing and manifestation of Christ unto seven Disciples, with what followed thereupon. Which being summarily propounded, ver. 1. is prosecute at large, in the rest of the Chapter. And namely; That they going a fishing, but without successe, v. 2, 3. Christ appears to them in the morning, and conferreth with them, unknown, v. 4, 5. That he afterward makes himselfe known, by a miraculous draught of fishes afforded them, v. 6, 7. — Upon which, they come to land to him, v— 7, 8. where they see his preparation for their dinner, v. 9. are led to take notice of the greatnesse of the miracle wrought for them, v. 10, 11. and dine with him, exceedingly reverencing him, v. 12, 13. (and this is marked to be the third time he had appeared to them, v. 14) And that he conferreth with Peter particularly; Whom he restoreth to his former dignity, upon the profession of his love to him, v. 15, 16, 17. and warneth him concerning his future sufferings; commanding him to follow him, v. 18, 19. And checks his curious enquiry concerning John, v. 20, 21, 22. in a speech which occasioned a mistake among the disciples, but causlesly, as John cleareth, v. 23. Who here takes occasion to close this history, asserting that he was the pen-man thereof, and was perswaded of the certainty of it, v. 24. and acknowledgeth that many things done by Christ, are omitted in his Narration, it being impossible to record them all, v. 25.

John, in the close of the former Chapter having shewed that Christ, after his resurrection, did many signes in presence of his Disciples which he had not written; He doth in this Chapter give a notable proofe thereof, by recording one notable appearing of Christ, wherein many signes concurred. This he propoundeth generally, in this verse undertaking to describe it in its circumstances, and mentioning the place where it was done; Namely, at and beside some part of the Lake Genezareth, which here gets the name from the City Tiberias, (which was built upon the side of that Lake) and is elsewhere called the sea of Galilee, Joh. 6.1. Christ had wrought some miracles before in this lake, and in the Towns of Galilee about it he had preached and wrought many miracles, and now he doth appear there after his resurrection (as his solemne meeting with the Disciples was in Galilee also, Matth. 28.16, 17.) that he may bring to their remembrance what had past there formerly. Doct. 1. It is needful we be much confirmed in the faith of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as being a truth not easily beleeved indeed, and being beleeved, is full of rich comfort, and a sure pledge that all Christs and his peoples sufferings, though even unto death, will end in glory; Therefore, after these things, (and Christs shewing himselfe so often in the former chapter) Jesus shewed himselfe again, to confirme their faith, who had yet some scruples, as may be gathered from v. 12. 2. Such as are to publish the truths of Christ unto others, ought to be solidly perswaded of them themselves, and do need much from Christ for that effect, that so they may publish them from a sure perswasion, 2 Cor. 4.13. Therefore did he shew himself again to the Disciples, who were, most part (if not all) of them, to publish these glad tidings throughout the world. 3. Christs presence, and manifestations of himselfe, are not restricted to any one place; but where ever his people are, there he will manifest himselfe as they need; for, Jesus shewed himselfe to the Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, as well as at Jerusalem, from whence they were now returned, for reasons to be after mentioned. 4. The particular passages and circumstances of Christs manifesting of himselfe to his people ought to be narrowly observed and taken notice of, as being full of rich use and instruction; Therefore doth John, who was an eye-witnesse, undertake here to describe them, and on this wise shewed he himselfe.