John 21:2–3

The particular Narration of this appearing and manifestation may be branched out in these heads. 1. The antecedents thereof, v. 2, 3. 2. His appearing unto them though unknown, and his conference with them, v. 4, 5. 3. The way how he manifests and makes himselfe known unto them, v, 6, 7.— 4. Some particular effects and consequents of this manifestation, before his conference with Peter, v.—7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 5. His conference with Peter, v. 15.—23.

In these verses, the antecedents of his shewing himselfe are recorded, That these seven Disciples being together, they do upon Peters motion, go a fishing, wherein they labour all night without any successe. As for these seven, four of them were called to be Apostles, and so it may be, were the two, who are not named; As for Nathaneel, (of whom chap. 1. 45, &c.) we do not finde him to be one of them, unlesse under another name, (as some suppose he was called Bartholomew) but only a Disciple and follower of Christ. And as for their society and being together at this time, rather then others of the Apostles, we need not curiously enquire concerning it. It is sufficient to know that these named were countrey-men of Galilee, and so may we judge of the other two, and so they had occasion to be more frequently together, and are now met at this time, and that, as would appear at Peters house, who makes the motion of following his trade. It is also to be marked, that this overture, propounded by Peter, and embraced by the rest, of returning to their former calling, did not proceed from their distrust and quitting of their ministerial calling, for we are not so to conceive of them who were already endowed with the Holy Ghost in some measure, chap. 20.22. But the true cause was, that being only designed, not yet actually employed, nor fully endowed for that calling, till the Spirit was more fully poured forth upon them, and these fourty dayes after the resurrection of Christ, being set apart for their confirmation in the faith of his resurrection, by his frequent appearing unto them, and for their further instruction by Christ, in the matters of the Kingdome of God, which they were afterward to publish, Acts 1.3. And they, at this time being returned from Jerusalem to Galilee, to keep that meeting which Christ had appointed in Galilee, of which Matth. 28.7, 16, 17. they did lawfully go about their ordinary employment, till the day of the meeting came. However, Christ took occasion of this to manifest himselfe. Doctrine 1. The most special and remarkable manifestations of Christ to his people, are given them when they are together; for, There were together, Simon Peter, &c. And albeit Peter made a motion for himselfe, I go a fishing, which might have separated them, yet providence keeps and sends them along together, till this manifestation come. 2. It is a commendable duty, in these who are made sensible of their losse by being absent from the societies of Saints, to attend them more constantly afterwards; for, here we finde Thomas constantly continuing in the company of the rest of the Disciples. 3. Christ doth not esteem of men, nor deal with them, according as they are of note among others, providing they be honest and Disciples indeed; for, it is marked to the commendation of two other of his Disciples, that they were together with the rest, and Christ sheweth himselfe to them as to the rest, though their names be not expressed, as the rests are. 4. It is the will of Christ, that his followers do not neglect their lawful calling, (though never so base) as they may overtake it; And in going about their lawful callings, they may expect special manifestations of Christ; for, it is commendable in them, that they cast not off their mean calling, but Peter saith, I go a fishing, and they say unto him, we also go with thee, and they went forth, and entred into a ship immediately. And it is while they are about this employment, that Christ sheweth himselfe to them. 5. The children of the Lord are subject to the same difficulties, of earning their daily bread, and of hazard, toile and difficulties in their calling, with others; That so they may know they are by nature of Adams stock as well as others, and may not expect singular lots in outward things: for, his Disciples are put to earn their bread by fishing, and they are put to work at it all night, not for fear, but because it was the fittest season; and they work so hard, as they must strip themselves almost naked (as appeareth v. 7.) through heat; And all this for their livelyhood, and oft-time with little profit, as after followeth. 6. It may please the Lord, oft-times, to deny his people successe in their lawful employments; And that either, when their hearts are too eager and keen upon the world, he doth justly crosse them, to teach them mortification and sobriety: Or, because if successe were constant, God would not be so clearly seen in his bounty, and therefore he crosseth, that we may acknowledge him more; Or, because he is to appear eminently for his people, therefore he makes way for his appearing, by denying successe upon their endeavours: As here, skilled fishers, well acquaint with this lake, and the way of speeding in it, do that night catch nothing. And this maketh way for his after prospering of them in a miraculous manner.