John
21:1-19
With thanks to page sponsor:
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church,
Madison, WI .
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- "Bread and Fish," "Fishing for Humans," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
- LIV.25-43; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
- I.5, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter XV, Scorpiace, Tertullian (c. 213)
- II.XLV, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
- Epistle II -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
- On the Unity of the Church, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
- VII.25, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea, (c. 320).
- From Augustine's Tractates on John: Tractate 122 (20:30, 31; 21:1-11); Tractate 123 (21:12-19).
- From the
Geneva Notes.
- "Peter by this triple confession is restored into his former position from where he fell by his triple denial: and furthermore it is proclaimed that he is indeed a pastor, who shows his love to Christ in feeding his sheep."
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
- "Christ makes himself known to his people, usually in his ordinances; but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when employed in their business."
- From
Wesley's Notes.
- "Christ orders St. Peter to follow him in token of his readiness to be crucified in his cause. St. John stays not for the call; he rises and follows him too; but says not one word of his own love or zeal. He chose that the action only should speak this; and even when he records the circumstance, he tells us not what that action meant, but with great simplicity relates the fact only. If here and there a generous heart sees and emulates it, be it so; but he is not solicitous that men should admire it. It was addressed to his beloved Master, and it was enough that he understood it."
- "Lovest Thou Me?" John 21:15-17, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1857.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "On the night of the betrayal, when Christ intimated that his disciples would forsake him in the trial he was about to suffer, Peter spoke up and asserted that though all others forsook him he would never forsake him...Since that fall, Christ had met with Peter among the rest of the disciples, but had not referred to this subject, but now has come the time for a restoration of Peter. Hence, he probes him with the question, "Lovest thou me more than these?" "
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary,
John 21:1-19, Karyn Wiseman, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2013.
- "Embrace the reality of the fishermen doing something that might seem absurd to others and one who denied the Lord to become the rock that leads a church."
- "Commissioned Yet Again," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2013.
- "Do you think our people are ready to hear that? That all their lives are potential arenas to add what they have to the bounty Jesus has provided in order that, together and with Peter, we may feed his sheep? I’m not sure."
- "Feed My Sheep," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- "Then Jesus said, "Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep;' and you get the feeling that this time Peter didn't miss the point. From fisher of fish to fisher of people to keeper of the keys to shepherd. It was the Rock's final promotion, and from that day forward he never let the head office down again."
- "Peter," Frederick Buechner, Buechner Blog.
- "From fisher of fish to fisher of people to keeper of the keys to shepherd. It was the Rock's final promotion, and from that day forward he never let the head office down again."
- "Repairing Our Grief," Greg Carey, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2013.
- "Interpreters have probably made too much of the nuances of Greek vocabulary in this passage, but we can readily see why Peter is grieved. The last time he stood by a charcoal fire, he failed miserably three times. Now Jesus brings Peter back to the scene and puts him through another three-fold interrogation."
- "Tevye and Golde sing, 'Do You Love me?'" D Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2013.
- Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours,
John 21:1-19, David Ewart, 2010.
- "What I see in this encounter is that Jesus twice offers Peter the opportunity to again over promise as he did at the last supper (I will NEVER deny you). And so, when Jesus asks Peter for the third time, "Do you love me?" Jesus uses "philios." In effect, accepting Peter's offer of friendship."
- "You Can Run, But You Can't Hide," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2013.
- "He knows where we live. He stands on the shores of our lives. He stands at our front doors. And when we answer his knock, he has just two questions for us: 'Do you love me?' and, if so, 'What are you going to do about it?'"
- Preaching John 21:1-19, Ted A. Smith, Lectionary Homiletics sample.
- "The epilogue to Easter opens into Eucharist, ethics, mission and more—the stuff of everyday church life."
- "All the Way," Rick Morley, 2013.
- "Put Your Sword in its Sheath," Debbie Blue, The Hardest Question, 2013.
- "From frantic to patient, from fighter to fisher."
- "Stretched Out," Andrew Prior, 2013.
- Pulpit Fiction, podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
- Post-Resurrection Catch -- Exegesis based on John 21:1-19 by John W. Wurster from SermonSuite.
- "Ordinary Resurrection," Rick Fry, 2013.
- "Do You Love Me?" Janice Love, Ekklesia Project, 2013.
- "Do You Love Me?" David Sellery, 2013.
- "Following Jesus Once More," the Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013.
- "Have you ever found yourself in the dark place of fear or uncertainty the disciples appear to be in at the start of today's story? What was that like? How were you led out of it? Or are you still there? If that is the case, how might this story offer direction or hope to you now?"
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- Comentario del Evangelio por Miriam Lizeth Bermúdez, Juan 21:1-19, Working Preacher, 2013.
-
Commentary,
John 21:1-19, Frank L. Crouch, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2010.
- "When Jesus himself clarifies the highest form of agapē, he does so in terms of philos. Love for friends is no second class love here."
- John 21:19, Easter 3C, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
-
"First
Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary,"
Easter 3C,
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "Peter is not disowned. Peter
is legendary. His rehabilitation is a celebration of divine grace."
- "On Shore: A Reflection on John 21:1-9," William Loader.
- "Peter is not disowned. Peter
is legendary. His rehabilitation is a celebration of divine grace."
- Exegetical
Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks
Christian Resources.
- "Jesus tells Peter at the end of our text, "Follow me." (All of the "follows" are akoloutheo in Greek.) What Jesus tells Peter he cannot do earlier, he now tells him to do. Following Jesus -- for Peter -- means death. Peter's response, "Yes, I love you," involves the commitment of his entire life."
-
"Mining for Love," Debra Dean Murphy, Intersections, 2010.
- "What would it mean, in fact, as Wendell Berry has asked, to make of our love an economic practice?"
- Breakfast on the Beach, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
- "Do You Love Me?" Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
-
Lectionary Blogging, John 21:1-19, John Petty, Progressive
Involvement, 2010.
- "At daybreak, however, the situation changes. Proias de ede genomenes este--literally: 'But morning was now coming to be.' That statement is a summary of a theme that stretches all the way back to the first chapter of the fourth gospel."
-
First
Look: John 21:1-19, Lee Koontz, reflectious,
2010.
- "We are Peter, and Peter is us. The second chance comes not through some penitential act of Peter?s, but through the sheer grace and love of Jesus himself."
- "The Beloved Disciple," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Friendship," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
- Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
-
"Encore,"
James C. Somerville, The Christian Century, 1998.
- "Jesus is not only trying to bring Peter back to where he was before but to move him beyond that. Jesus looks Peter in the eye and speaks the words that won him in the first place: 'Follow me.'"
-
"The Call to Discipleship," Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John:
Bearing Witness to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Paul S. Berge, Word
& World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary,
1995.
- "We are the richer for this epilogue chapter in the Gospel of John, reminding us of God's inviting Son who provides for our needs and whose forgiving love continues to call and commission us to follow and care for God's own."
-
Third Sunday of Easter, The Church in Mission: Gospel Texts for the
Sundays of Easter (Series C), Duane A. Olson Word & World Texts in
Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
- "Both the Johannine themes of the nurturing of the disciple community and its missionary calling are found in this passage."
-
"One More
Appearance,"
Expository Essay,
John 21:1-19, Dr. William R. Long.
- "The miraculous catch of fish assures the reader that unity of the Church is the desire of Jesus."
- "The Risen Christ by Lake Galilee," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
-
"The Catch,
The Meal, and the Commitment," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com:
A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's
Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
- "What are you planning for vacation this summer?"
- "Simon, mi ami tu?" A meditation about Peter and Jesus illustrated richly with images from the collection at Christus Rex.
-
"The Duties of Discipleship (John 21:1-25)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at
the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "I fear that Christians today understand these two words, ?Follow me,? in a most shallow and superficial way."
- John 21:15-19, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Commentary,
John 21:1-19, Karyn Wiseman, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2013.
- Articles & Background:
- John 21 and John 21:15-19, Wikipedia.
- "Friendship," issue theme of Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008. Articles, study guide, inspirational pieces, worship ideas, and more.
-
"The
Petrine Ministry in a Changing Church," Hermann Josef Pottmeyer, at
Religion OnLine.
- "The Catholic Church is struggling today towards a new model of church. The Petrine ministry too is evolving. It has an indispensable role in shaping the new ecclesial model."
-
"How
to Be a Disciple," Dallas Willard. Adapted from The Divine Conspiracy:
Rediscovering our Hidden Life in God. Reprinted in The Christian Century,
1998. At Religion OnLine.
- "...it could well prove to be a major turning point in our life if we would...ask ourselves if we really do intend to be life students of Jesus. Do we really intend to do and be all of the high things we profess to believe in?"
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Bartholomew, Gilbert
L.,
"Feed My Lambs: John 21:15-19 as Oral Gospel," Semeia, 1987.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Berge, Paul S.,
"Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John: Bearing Witness to Father, Son
and Holy Spirit," Word & World, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Breuer, Sarah Dylan, "Unlimited Good," The
Christian Century, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brown, Raymond E.,
"The Resurrection in John 21 - Missionary and Pastoral Directives for the
Church," Worship, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brown, Rebecca Pugh, "Preaching
Justice and Mercy: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for April,"
The Living Pulpit,
2007. (See also
"Atonement," issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 16.2, 2007.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials -
Clayton, Kimberly L., "The Easter Texts:
Getting Hold (or not) of Easter,"
Currents in Theology and Mission,
2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Franzmann, M. and M. Klinger, "The
Call Stories of John 1 and John 21," St. Vladimir's Theological
Quarterly, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Johnston, Scott
Black, "Looking Death in the Eye," Journal for Preachers,
2007. (Sermon)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kiley, Mark, "Three More Fish Stories," Journal of
Biblical Literature, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - McKay, K.L.,
"Style and Significance in the Language of John 21:15-17," Novum
Testamentum, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Minear, Paul S.,
"The Original Functions of John 21," Journal of Biblical Literature,
1983.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Oladipo, Caleb O.,
"John 21:15-17, Between Text & Sermon," Interpretation, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Olson, Duane A.,
"The Church in Mission: Gospel Texts for the Sundays after Easter (Series
C)," Word & World, 1995.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Poling, Travis Edward Turner, "Every Time the World
Ends, John 21:1-25; Revelation 21:1-4, 22:1-5," Brethren Life and
Thought, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Romeo, Joseph A.,
"Gematria and John 21:11 -- The Children of God," Journal of Biblical
Literature, 1978.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Schneiders, Sandra M.,
"John 21:1-14, Expository Article," Interpretation, 1989.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Segovia, Fernando F.,
"The Final Farewell of Jesus: A Reading of John 20:30-21:25," Semeia,
1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Somerville, James C.,
"Encore," The Christian Century, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Spencer, Patrick E.,
"Narrative Echoes in John 21: Intertextual Interpretation and Intratextual
Connection," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wiarda, Timothy,
"John 21:1-23: Narrative Unity and Its Implications," Journal for the
Study of the New Testament, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Bartholomew, Gilbert
L.,
"Feed My Lambs: John 21:15-19 as Oral Gospel," Semeia, 1987.
- Reviews:
- Reviews: Jane S. Webster, Ingesting Jesus: Eating and Drinking in the Gospel of John. Society of Biblical Literature, 2003. Reviews by Francis J. Moloney, Peter-Ben Smit and Robert Baker in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
- Sermons:
- Fish And Sheep -- Sermon for Easter 3 based on John 21:1-19 by Donald Charles Lacy from SermonSuite.
- "The Grace of Another Day," the Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens, Day 1, 2007.
-
Easter 3C, April 22,
2007, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday
Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors:
- "The Last Word Is the First Word," Hubert Beck
- "Happy to Find a Fall Guy," David Zersen
- "Looking Death in the Eye," the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnson, Day 1, 2004.
- "Do You Love Me?" Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- "Picking Up the Pieces - When Dreams Have Died," John Jewell, 1998.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily, 1999.
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Easter 3C, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2013.
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," April 14, 2013, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections:Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) and Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss, Revelation 5:11-14 and Pest Fest by Julia Durango, John 21:1-19 and The Stray Dog by Marc Simont.
- The Mystery of the Marshes -- Children’s story based on John 21:1-19 by Janice B. Scott from SermonSuite.
- "The Big Catch," Jennifer and Linda Edwards, The Children's Chapel.
- "The Disciples Return to Fishing," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "Casting a Net," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "Jesus Helps Catch Fish," "Jesus Restores Peter," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- John 19-21 Crossword, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
- Drama:
- "The Reinstatement," Jane and Mark Lewis, Potted Jam.
- "One Hundred Fifty-Three Big Fish," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art, John 21:11, John 21:15-17, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Clip Art Images: John 21:1-19, John 21:1-19 #2, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- John 21:1-19 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- John 21:3, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
- Beach Breakfast, Clip Art, Anglican Diocese of Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 21:15, 16, 17, 19. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- "Peter Said, 'I'm Going Fishing'," Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, BEECHER 8.7.8.7. D.
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- The above links are for the study of specifically John's resurrection account. See also Study Links and Resources for the general Accounts of Jesus' Resurrection
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of John
