John 21:10–11

The third consequent recorded, is, the discovery of the reality and greatnesse of the miracle wrought for them: Christ, before he dine with them, will have the Disciples (who had come to him, and left net and all so soon as they got it so near the shore, as the sea could not take it away) to bring of the fishes they had caught, which they obeying, do finde there were a great many fishes, and yet the net not broken, as formerly it had been in the like case, Luke 5.6. Christs end in bidding bring of the fishes, was not chiefly for their present eating, (seeing he had already provided for them, v. 9.) though it may be, also, he allowed this, that their tast of the fish, as well as the sight of the multitude thereof, might confirme and assure them it was a real miracle, and the original Word, here rendred fish, is not against that sense. But his chief end was to feed their mindes with a sight of the greatnesse and reality of the miracle, before he fed their bodies; for so much doth their observation, v. 11. point out to us. And while this going up (to wit, into the ship, that he might come at the net) and drawing the net to land, is ascribed unto Peter only, it is not to be understood, as if he alone did it, but he only is mentioned, because of his forwardnesse to give obedience, as he had been formerly forward to come to Christ. Doct. 1. Christ will not be wanting to give evidence how well he approves of his peoples following of a lawful calling, and that they have a care of their outward enjoyments, in their own place; for, here, his command justifieth them who brought the net along with them, v. 8. in that when all have left it, as well as Peter, he bids them bring of the fish; And Peter, by his obedience to the command, doth also clear, that he accounted it no cause of reproach, that they left it out formerly, as he did. 2. Christ is a great esteemer of peoples diligence and using of means, and of his goodnesse will ascribe all that he doth for them to their diligence; that so they may be encouraged (not to conceit of it, but) to continue in it; for, albeit he gave them these fish by miracle, yet in regard of their casting out the net, and dragging it to land, he ascribes it all to them, Bring of the fish, which ye have now caught. 3. When Disciples have seen much of Christ in his working, they need yet a more particular observation thereof, that they may see and consider his glory more distinctly, and they may be affected of new with it, and it may take more deep impression in their mindes: Therefore, albeit they had seen and known Christ already by this miracle, v. 6, 7. yet for these causes will he have them bring of the fish, that they may look again, and more distinctly and narrowly upon the miracle. 4. To be taken up with the serious and distinct observation of Christs working, is more useful and refreshful to right discerners, then to enjoy his bodily presence, and then bodily refreshment to hungry men; Therefore, now, when they are in Christs company, and are going to dine who (it seems) had fasted long, yet Christ sent them away for a time, from himselfe, and from their meat, to go observe the miracle, Bring of the fish, which ye have now caught. 5. True love, which draws disciples to hasten to be at Christ, will also make them prompt and nimble in obeying his commands; for, as Peter was eminent in his hast to be at Christ; so now he is noted as eminent in going about what is enjoyned: and therefore he is only named, Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land. 6. As affection to Christ will elevate disciples mindes above the world and the things of it; so in their following of a calling, the chief and greatest beauty that they will see in it, is that Christ hath commanded it, and therefore they will follow it, but with their heart above it; for, so much may we learn from this practice of Peter, conjoyned with his former practice, v. 7. In the first, he gave proof, how far his heart was above these things, and here he gives proof how beautiful that service is when commanded by Christ. 7. Most strict observation and enquiry about Christs working, will never diminish his glory, but will contribute to set out more distinctly the greatnesse of his power and liberality; for, before they only found the net full, so that they could not draw it, v 6. now they finde distinctly that it was full of great fishes, and not of other trash, which might have fallen into the net; and particularly, that there were an hundred and fifty and three. 8. The more distinctly men do consider Christs works, they will only finde them the more wonderful, but they will finde a wonder in a wonder in them; for, beside the great number of fish, it is marked as a new wonder, and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken, as it had been in the like case formerly, Luke 5.6. though the Original word, being the same here and there, doth evidence that it was a net of the same kinde. Only it is to be marked, that as there the greatnesse of the miracle is pointed out by the breaking of the net; so here it is amplified from this new wonder, that the net brake not; to teach us, that Christ manifests his power, sometime one way, and sometime another, as he pleaseth, and that he will not be limited by us in the way of his working.