John 21:1-19

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Holy Textures
Short, easy to use, faith-provoking
background commentary for your sermon,
Bible study, or Scripture reflection.
(Apr 10-11)

• 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: 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• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts: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, 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.
  • 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."
  • Exegesis, Timothy B. Cargal, Lectionary Homiletics, 2010.
    • "The key to this passage is more likely to be found in Jesus’ responses to Peter’s answers rather than in the verb choices within the questions."
  • "The Final Acceptance," Andrew Prior,  A Church (re)Wired, 2010.
    • "Chapter 21 is our victory song. It is the coda to the gospel. Here we are shown our shortcomings and failures are forgiven, and given our challenge. And our victory is affirmed."
  • "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?"
  • 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."
  • 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."
  • "A New Adventure Begins," Jeremiah Bartram, Gospel for Gays, 2010.
    • "In Luke’s gospel, the miraculous catch was a prelude to the call to discipleship.  Here, the catch precedes a prophecy by Jesus of Peter’s eventual death, and also an ambiguous reference to the very different path of the disciple he particularly loved."
  • 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.
• 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.
  • 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
• 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:
  • "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.
  • "Forgiveness for Peter Moments," the Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2003.
  • "More Than Conquerors," The Rev. Dr. Gil Bowen, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1992.
  • "Learning to Fish In a New Place," the Rev. Dr. John Killinger, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1992.
  • "Picking Up the Pieces - When Dreams Have Died," John Jewell, 1998.
  • "Do You Love Me? Feed My Lambs," Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago, 1992. 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club.
  • "Freed to Follow," Dr. Yvonne V. Delk, Executive Director of the Community Renewal Society of Chicago. 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1994.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
    • Easter 3, 2010
    • Easter 3, 2007
    • Easter 3, 2005
    • Easter 3, 2004
    • Easter 3, 1999
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily, 1999.
• With Children:
  • "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:
  • 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):
    • I Love Thee
    • Jesus Calls Us
    • My Jesus, I Love Thee
  • "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:
  • Resurrection
  • Rebirth/New Life
  • Seeing/Not Seeing
  • Conversion
  • Love
  • Feeding/Eucharist
  • Doers of the Word
• 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