Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately: and that night they caught nothing.
3. Simon Peter ] As so often, he takes the lead. In the interval of waiting for definite instructions the disciples have returned to their usual employment. Once more we have precise and vivid details, as of an eye-witness.
We also go ] Rather, we also come.
went forth ] From the town or village, probably Capernaum or Bethsaida.
into a ship ] Better, into the ships. ‘Immediately’ must be omitted on decisive evidence.
that night ] Better, in that night. ‘That’ perhaps indicates that failure was exceptional; or it may mean ‘that memorable night’ (comp. Joh 19:31; Joh 20:19). Night was the best time for fishing (Luk 5:5).
they caught nothing ] Failure at first is the common lot of Christ’s fishers. His Presence again causing success after failure might bring home to them the lesson that apart from Him they could do nothing (Joh 15:5).
The word here used for ‘catch’ does not occur in the Synoptists, but besides Joh 21:10 is found six times in this Gospel (Joh 7:30; Joh 7:32; Joh 7:44, Joh 8:20, Joh 10:39, Joh 11:57), and once in Revelation (Joh 19:20) [8]. Elsewhere only Act 3:7; Act 12:4 ; 2Co 11:32.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
That night they caught nothing – This was so ordered in the providence of God that the miracle which was performed might appear more remarkable.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Joh 21:3
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing
I go a fishing
1.
A sudden inspiration.
2. A prompt resolution.
3. A hopeful expedition.
4. A laborious occupation.
5. A fruitless speculation.
6. A happy termination. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.)
Leaders and followers
I. LEADERS. In Church and State these, like Peter, should be men of
1. Prompt resolution.
2. Self-reliant action.
3. Cheery expectation.
4. Contagious inspiration.
II. FOLLOWERS. Like Peters companions, these should be
1. Unbroken in their ranks–We.
2. Hearty in their co-operation also.
3. Simultaneous in their movement–Go.
4. Unenvious in their dispositions–With thee. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.)
Night and nothing-morning and Jesus
I. A PERSONAL DETERMINATION–I go. The Church and the world need such men. Men with will and energy, who dare to strike out a course of action for themselves and face opposition. Where would the Church be today but for such men as Luther, and Knox, and Wesley? And where the world? We especially need such men now. We have got into the lazy, slovenly habit of waiting for one another. We see things that need to be done, but we wait until some one should take the lead. And so our Church life has little vitality and force.
II. THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE. We also go with thee. These men were not prepared for anything, they had no plans, but were just waiting for some one to break the ice. You have no idea how much good you would do if you would speak decidedly for Jesus; many would be prepared to listen, and to follow. Men are always influenced by truth, spoken with calmness and determination.
III. IMMEDIATE ACTION. They went forth, &c. They did not talk about going, and stand still after all. This again is a want. We meet with men who have plenty of directions to give, but they never act. Ah! says one, there ought to be more teachers in that school. Quite right; but do you teach? What a pity there are not more tract distributors. So it is; but are you one? Let us learn to act as well as speak.
IV. THE FISHERMENS FAILURE. We determine; we sometimes act upon the determination; and the result is simply–failure. Night and nothing. I have said, I will preach from such a text; I will give my soul to it, and then, what a failure it has been, and I have gone home and vowed I would never preach again. Has it not been so with you, teacher? Christian worker?
V. THE FISHERMENS SUCCESS. Throughout the darkness do we toil until the morning comes–and we see Jesus. Then success attends all we do, and our souls are filled with joy.
1. Jesus is often near to us when we little think it. We have only to stretch out our hand through the darkness, and we shall find Him.
2. We often see Him, but yet we do not know Him. Love only can recognize and realize the Lord.
VI. WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES ALL THIS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAILURE AND SUCCESS?
1. The presence of Jesus.
2. Listening to the voice of Jesus (Joh 21:5).
3. Obeying the command of Jesus (Joh 21:6). (A. F. Barfield.)
Catching nothing
I. A combos EXPERIENCE. Not the first time this had happened in the history of three out of the seven (Luk 5:5). Nor were these the first or the last who have spent their strength for nought (Isa 49:4).
II. A SORE DISAPPOINTMENT. Considering
1. The high expectations with which men usually start on their enterprises; and–
2. The great labour they often expend on them.
III. AN EXCELLENT DISCIPLINE
1. Teaching personal humility.
2. Suggesting the need of heavenly assistance.
3. Preparing for ultimate success. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.)
Fishing an She Sea of Galilee
Nowadays there is very little navigation on the lake of Galilee,–we might almost say, scarcely a boat; but in the days of the Gospel narrative, and for many years later, there were craft of all sorts there, and many of considerable size. The fishing-boat of to-day, as seen on the Mediterranean, is a long, broad, and deep affair, usually pointed at each end, and large enough to carry a crew of from four to a dozen men, with their nets, and the fish they may capture. Usually these larger boats fish in the night, in companies of two or three, but sometimes a larger boat goes alone with a small boat; and sometimes a small boat accompanies two or more larger ones. The smaller ones are like a skiff, while the larger ones might pass for freight boats. As here, it is nothing uncommon for the fleet (if the two or three boats can be called so) to toil all night and take nothing. In the Mediterranean, on the Syrian and Palestinian coasts, there are few places Where there is a beach upon which the net can be drawn. The net encloses the fish, and then they are drawn in as if in a bag, or picked out of the net without hauling the latter into the boat. Rarely one sees a gill-net, such as our fishermen use in deep water. Accordingly, the small boat is not so much of a necessity there as it would be where the seine was drawn to land. (S. S. Times.)
Fish in the lake
The Sea of Galilee now, as in the days of our Saviour, is well stocked with various species of fish, some of excellent flavour. One species often appears in dense masses which blacken the surface of the water, the individual fish being packed so closely together that on one occasion a single shot from a revolver killed three. These shoals were most frequently seen near the shores of Gennesareth: perhaps not far from the place where the disciples let down their net into the sea, and enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (Recovery of Jerusalem.)
The place soon asserted its right to the name Bethsaida by the exceeding abundance of the fish we saw tumbling into the water. The hot springs flowing in here over these rocks, and a little farther on in larger volume over a clean brown sand, warm all the ambient shallows for a hundred feet from shore, and, as much vegetable matter is brought down by the springs, and probably also insects which have fallen in, all these dainties are half cooked when they enter the lake. Evidently the fish agree to dine on these hot joints, and therefore in a large semicircle they crowd the water by myraids round the warm river mouth. Their backs are above the surface, as they bask or tumble and jostle crowded in the water. They gambol and splash, and the calm sea, fringed by a reeking crowd of vapour, has beyond this belt of living fish, a long row of cormorants feeding on the half-boiled fish as the fish have fed on insects underdone. White gulls poise in flocks behind the grebes or cormorants, and beyond these again ducks bustle on the water or whirl in the air. The whole is a most curious scene, and probably it has been thus from day to day for many thousand years. I paddled along the curved line of fishes backs and flashing tails. Some leaped into the air, others struck my boat or paddle. Dense shoals moved in brigades as if by concert or command. (MacGregors Jordan.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 3. Peter saith – I go a fishing.] Previously to the crucifixion of our Lord, the temporal necessities of himself and his disciples appear to have been supplied by the charity of individuals: Lu 8:3. As it is probable that the scandal of the cross had now shut up this source of support, the disciples, not fully knowing how they were to be employed, purposed to return to their former occupation of fishing, in order to gain a livelihood; and therefore the seven, mentioned Joh 21:2, embarked on the sea of Tiberias, otherwise called the sea of Galilee.
That night they caught nothing.] God had so ordered it, that they might be the more struck with the miracle which he afterwards wrought.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Peter and divers others were fishermen, as we have formerly heard, and had boats which they so employed. Though they were called to the work of the ministry, yet, churches not yet being gathered and constituted able to maintain them, they did not judge it unlawful to employ themselves in honest vocations, which might bring in something of a livelihood; no more did Paul afterward. The others resolve to go with Peter. They went, but
that night caught nothing; the providence of God so ordering it, that Christs Divine power might be seen in commanding fish into their nets.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3-6. Peter saith unto them, I go afishing(See on Lu 5:11).
that night . . . caughtnothingas at the first miraculous draught (see on Lu5:5); no doubt so ordered that the miracle might strike them themore by contrast. The same principle is seen in operation throughoutmuch of Christ’s ministry, and is indeed a great law of God’sspiritual procedure with His people.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing,…. Which was his business before his conversion; and now having nothing to do, and his Lord and master having, as yet, no service for him in the ministry of the word, until the Spirit was poured down in an extraordinary manner, which was given to be expected, in the mean while he was inclined to, and resolved upon taking up his former employment; partly that he might not live an idle life, and partly to obtain a livelihood, which was now to be sought after in another manner, since the death of Christ; and these inclinations and resolutions of his he signifies to the rest of the disciples, who agreed with him:
they say unto him, we also go with thee; that is, a fishing; for it seems to have been the business and employment of them all formerly: the place they went to was the sea of Tiberias, as appears from
Joh 21:1 a place free for any to fish at. This is said to be one of the ten traditions which Joshua delivered to the children of Israel, when he divided the land among them z:
“that any man should be free to catch fish in the waters (or sea) of Tiberias; and he might fish with an hook only; but he might not spread a net, or place a ship there, except the children of the tribe to whom that sea belonged in their division.”
But now these disciples, or the greater part of them at least, belonging to the tribe and division in which the sea was, had a right to carry a ship or boat thither, and make use of a net, as they did. Besides, there was another reason for fishing here, because there were no unclean fish; for the Jews say a, that
“in a place of running water no clean fish goes along with unclean fish, and lo, the sea of Tiberias is
, “as running waters”.”
They went forth: from the house, town, or city where they were, whether Capernaum, or Bethsaida, or Tiberias itself:
and entered into a ship immediately; which was either one of their own, that belonged to some one of them before their call; which though they had left, had reserved their right and claim unto; see Lu 5:3 or which they hired for their present purpose: the word immediately is not in the Vulgate Latin, nor in the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, nor in Beza’s ancient copy:
and that night they caught nothing. They went out in the evening of the day, and fished all night, that being a proper time for such business, and the most likely to succeed in, but caught no fish, or very little: and so it is sometimes with Gospel ministers, who are fishers of men, though they take every opportunity, and the most proper methods to gain souls to Christ, yet sometimes do not succeed; which makes things look dark and gloomy in their apprehensions.
z Maimon. Hilch. Nezike Maramon, c. 5. sect. 3. Vid. T. Bab. Bava Kama, fol. 81. 1. a T. Hieros. Avoda Zara, fol. 42. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
I go a fishing ( ). The present active infinitive expresses purpose as often. It is a late verb from (fisherman) and occurs in Jer 16:16, in Philo, Plutarch, and one papyrus. Peter’s proposal was a natural one. He had been a fisherman by practice and they were probably waiting in Galilee for the appointed meeting with Christ on the mountain. Andrew and Peter, James and John were fishermen also. Peter’s proposition met a ready response from all.
They took (). First aorist active indicative of , Doric form for , to catch.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
A ship [ ] . Rev., the boat; restoring the article, which indicates a familiar implement. See on Luk 5:2.
Immediately. Omit.
That night. The emphatic pronoun that [] may indicate that their ill success was unusual.
Caught [] . So ver. 10. The verb means to lay hold of, and is nowhere else used in the New Testament of taking fish. Elsewhere in this Gospel always of the seizure of Christ by the authorities (vii. 30, 39, 44; Joh 8:20; Joh 10:39; Joh 11:57). Of apprehending Peter and Paul (Act 12:4; 2Co 11:32). Of the taking of the beast (Rev 19:20). Of taking by the hand (Act 3:7).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Simon Peter saith unto them,” (legei autois Simon Petros) “Simon Peter said to them,” as they had gathered by the seaside.
2) “I go a fishing.” (hupago halieuein) “I intend to go fishing,” or I’m off to fish, as I did here many times a few years ago, Mat 4:18-20.
3) “They say unto him, we also go with thee.” (legousin auto erchometha kai hemeis sun soi) “They said to him, we are coming along with you,” or we will go with you, agreed. There was a ready response and relief.
4) “They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately;” (ekselthon kai enebesan eis to ploion) “They went away and boarded (went into the boat) without delay.”
5) “And that night they caught nothing.” (kai en ekeine te nukti epiasan ouden) “And in and during that night they caught nothing,” no fish at all, which Peter may have recalled they did once before, Luk 5:3-7.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3. I am going to fish. That Peter gave his attention to fishing, ought not to be regarded as inconsistent with his office. By breathing on him, Jesus had ordained him to be an Apostle, as we saw a little before; but he abstained from the exercise of the apostleship for a short time, till he should be clothed with new power. For he had not yet been enjoined to appear in public for the discharge of his office of teaching, but had only been reminded of his future calling, that he and the others might understand that they had not in vain been chosen from the beginning. Meanwhile, they do what they were accustomed to do, and what belonged to men in private life. It is true that Paul, in the midst of his employment as a preacher, gained the support of his life by his own hands, but it was for a different reason; for his time was so arranged, that the labors of his hands did not withdraw him from teaching. Peter and his companions, on the other hand, give themselves up entirely to fishing, because they are not hindered from doing so by any public employment.
And that night they caught nothing. God permitted them to toil to no purpose during the whole night, in order to prove the truth of the miracle; for if they had caught any thing (227) what followed immediately afterwards would not have so clearly manifested the power of Christ, but when, after having toiled ineffectually during the whole night, they are suddenly favored with a large take of fishes, they have good reason for acknowledging the goodness of the Lord. In the same manner, also, God often tries believers, that he may lead them the more highly to value his blessing. If we were always prosperous, whenever we put our hand to labor, scarcely any man would attribute to the blessing of God the success of his exertions, all would boast of their industry, and would kiss their hands. But when they sometimes labor and torment themselves without any advantage, if they happen afterwards to succeed better, they are constrained to acknowledge something out of the ordinary course; and the consequence is, that they begin to ascribe to the goodness of God the praise of their prosperity and success.
(227) “ S’ils eussen, fait quelque prinse de poissons;” — “if they had had any take of fishes.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing.The words are the vivid representation by an ear-witness of what actually took place as they re turned to their ordinary work during the interval between the Passover and Pentecost. It does not express either an abandonment of their higher vocation, or an expectation of the presence of the Lord. The picturesque colouring of the whole scene is quite in St. Johns style, as is also the simple co-ordinate arrangement of sentences without connecting particles.
And that night they caught nothing.Comp. for the fact Luk. 5:5; but the words are different. The word here rendered caught occurs nowhere in the other Gospels, but is found again in this chapter (Joh. 21:10), and six times in the earlier chapters of the Gospel (Joh. 7:30; Joh. 7:32; Joh. 7:44; Joh. 8:20; Joh. 10:39; Joh. 11:57). It occurs also in Rev. 19:20.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. I go a fishing Literally, I am going to fish. The symbolical fishers of men are going to their literal and original work. The transaction that now ensues is a re-enactment and enlargement of their first call to follow Jesus, after a similar miracle. See notes on Mat 4:18-20; Luk 5:4-11. That miracle presaged their future office under Christ’s living guardianship; this miracle prophetically promises a guardianship of the ascended Christ over his faithful ministry, and their final attainment to the everlasting
shores. Caught nothing Their catching nothing, the presence of Jesus, and their rare success at his command, are clear repetitions of the former transaction.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Joh 21:3-4. Simon Peter saithI go a fishing. I am going a fishing. Heylin. Our Lord having, first by the angels, and then in person, ordered his disciples to go home to Galilee, with a promise that they should see him there, it is reasonable to think that they would depart as soon as possible; (see the second reason assigned in the note on Joh 21:1.) wherefore, when they were come to their respective homes, they followed their occupations as usual, and particularly the apostles, who pursued their old trade of fishing on the lake. Here, as they were plying their nets, one morning early, Jesus shewed himself to them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 21:3-4 . . . ] John has not employed , nor said . (Joh 11:16 ), because he has thought just what was said.
The circumstantiality is not un-Johannean (Lcke), but comp. e.g . Joh 1:39-40 , Joh 9:1-12 . In particular, moreover, the is only the simple language of familiar association, in which neither a “ brusque tone ,” nor “an internal impulse , a presentiment ” (Godet), is to be recognised. The disciples desire again to pursue their earthly employments, “ quod privatos homines decebat ,” Calvin.
] from the place indicated in Joh 21:2 , probably Capernaum, out to the lake, Joh 21:1 .
By night the fishing was productive. Comp. on Luk 5:5 ; Aristot. H. A . viii. 19. But they caught nothing . How entirely different was it afterwards, when they cast out at the bidding of the Lord!
] Expressing the sudden appearance. Comp. Joh 20:19 ; Joh 20:26 .
. .] Comp. Joh 20:19 ; Joh 20:26 .
, . . .] To be explained from the entirely altered condition and appearance of the Risen One. Chrysostom, assigns the reason to the will of Jesus: , comp. also Luthardt and Hengstenberg, of which John, however, gives no indication. Comp. rather on Joh 20:14 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. (4) But when the morning was now come, Jesus
stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
There is somewhat very interesting in this account. And the plain and artless representation of the history is much more beautiful, than had the account been dressed up in all the pomp of language. The want of success in those fishers, and the Lord Jesus early in the morning standing on the shore, formed a blessed occasion for the manifestation of his person and grace, which were to follow. When the Lord is about to reveal himself to his people, how graciously he sometimes prepares the way for the greater display of his love!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
Ver. 3. I go a fishing, &c. ] Being not yet employed in the public ministry, he would not be idle, and that he might not be chargeable to the Church. This life is in Isaiah called, “The life of our hands,” because it is to be maintained by the labour of our hands. We are to earn ere we eat,2Th 3:82Th 3:8 . Res age tutus eris. Undertake wil will be safe to do. Ovid.
And that night they caught nothing ] Labour we never so hard, unless God bless it, and stop that hole in the bottom of the bag, Hag 1:6 , those secret issues and drains of expense, at which men’s estates run out, we shall be forced to say with Severus the emperor, Omnia feci et nihil profuit. Everything I have done and nothing profited. (Spartian.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3. ] The disciples returned to their occupation of fishing, probably as a means of livelihood, during the time which the Lord had appointed them in Galilee between the feasts of the Passover and Pentecost. This seems to be the first proposal of so employing themselves.
] See ch. Joh 11:16 .
from the house where they were together.
as before, Luk 5:5 . The correspondence of this account with that is very remarkable as is also their entire distinctness in the midst of that correspondence. The disciples must have been powerfully reminded of that their former and probably last fishing together. And after the “ fishers of men ” of that other occasion, the whole could not but bear to them a spiritual meaning in reference to their apostolic commission: their powerlessness without Christ, their success when they let down the net at His word. Their present part was not to go fishing of themselves, but . , Act 1:4 (Luthardt).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 21:3 . As the disciples stand together and see boat after boat put off, Simon Peter can stand it no longer but suddenly exclaims, , “I am off to fish”. This is a relief to all and finds a ready response, , At once they embark, and as we watch that boat’s crew putting off with their whole soul in their fishing, we see in how precarious a position the future of Christianity hung. They were only sure of one thing that they must live. But , “during that night they took nothing”. Aristotle, Hist. Animal. , viii. 19, quoted by Lampe. [On , see Joh 7:30 and Rev 19:20 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
unto = to.
I go a fishing = I go forth to fish.
with. Greek. sun. App-104.
into. Greek eis. App-104.
a = the; probably that of Mat 4:21, belonging to Zebedee and his sons.
immediately. All the texts omit.
that night = in (Greek. en. App-104.) that night. caught. Greek. piazo. Used in the Gospels by John only, and always, except here and Joh 21:10, of “taking” the Lord (Joh 7:30, Joh 7:32, Joh 7:44; Joh 8:20; Joh 10:39; Joh 11:57).
nothing. Greek. oudeis, compound of ou. App-105.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
3.] The disciples returned to their occupation of fishing, probably as a means of livelihood, during the time which the Lord had appointed them in Galilee between the feasts of the Passover and Pentecost. This seems to be the first proposal of so employing themselves.
] See ch. Joh 11:16.
-from the house where they were together.
-as before, Luk 5:5. The correspondence of this account with that is very remarkable-as is also their entire distinctness in the midst of that correspondence. The disciples must have been powerfully reminded of that their former and probably last fishing together. And after the fishers of men of that other occasion, the whole could not but bear to them a spiritual meaning in reference to their apostolic commission:-their powerlessness without Christ,-their success when they let down the net at His word. Their present part was not to go fishing of themselves, but . , Act 1:4 (Luthardt).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 21:3. , I go a fishing) Constrained by necessity, not for the sake of gain: Joh 21:5, Children, have ye any meat? No. A remarkable example of , labouring with ones own hands, without sacrificing the apostolical dignity.- , we also) They were now by this time not so much afraid.- , into a ship) which is called in Joh 21:8 a little ship.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 21:3
Joh 21:3
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing.-Simon Peter was a leader. He determined to go fishing. The others said they would go with him. They fished all night and caught nothing. [Although the night was considered the most favorable season they caught nothing. Doubtless a symbol of the utter failure of fishers of men without Christ, and verse 6 illustrates their abundant success with Christ.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
I go
Contra. Num 9:17-23.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
I go: 2Ki 6:1-7, Mat 4:18-20, Luk 5:10, Luk 5:11, Act 18:3, Act 20:34, 1Co 9:6, 1Th 2:9, 2Th 3:7-9
and that: Luk 5:5, 1Co 3:7
Reciprocal: 2Ki 6:2 – and take thence Eze 47:10 – fishers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
The disciples named were together somewhere in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee, when Peter proposed going fishing, his original occupation. The others of the group said they would join him, and thus they returned to the secular business they were in when Jesus first called them into his service (Mat 4:18-22). They did their fishing in a boat by using a net, but although they spent the whole night in their efforts, they caught nothing.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
[I go a fishing.] Christ had ordered his apostles to meet him at a mountain in Galilee, Mat 28:16. It is plain, Joh 21:14, that he had not yet appeared to them there: so that it is something strange how they durst keep away from that mountain, and how the four newly mentioned durst be absent from the rest of their number. They knew the mountain without doubt; and if they knew not the time wherein Christ would make his appearance amongst them, why should they not abide continually there in attendance for him?
It should seem, that they did not look for him till the Lord’s day, which had not yet been since they were come into Galilee. And perhaps the sons of Alpheus had, in their return from Jerusalem, betaken themselves amongst their relations, determining to be at that mountain on the Lord’s day. These seven dwelt not far off the mountain, which was near Capernaum, and hard by the sea of Galilee: only Nathanael, who dwelt more remote in Cana, towards the extreme north parts of that sea. He was not yet gone home, but, waiting the appointed time, stayed here. Peter and Andrew dwelt in Capernaum, and so, probably, did James and John: Philip in Bethsaida, and Thomas (as we may conjecture from his Greek name Didymus) probably lived amongst the Syro-Grecians in Gadara, or Hippo, or some place in that country of Decapolis, not very far from Gennesaret.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Joh 21:3. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth and entered into the boat, and that night they laid hold on nothing. It is hardly probable that in this the disciples thought of anything but the supply of their temporal wants. To John, however, there is more in their act than this. His word went forth leads us at once to feel that he sees in their going the Providential guidance of God (comp. notes on chap. Joh 18:1; Joh 18:4). It is not an ordinary event: it will illustrate that Divine scheme for the salvation of men which was accomplished through Him who came forth from God. Moreover, just as once before Peter and some of his companions had been called from the work of fishing to the first stage of their apostolate (Luk 5:1-11), so shall he and those with him be called from a similar scene to that higher stage upon which they are now to enter. In Peters being the first to make the proposal, we can hardly fail to see the elements of that character which gave him the prominence he afterwards had in the Church of the Redeemer. He is the moving spring of the whole apostolic band; he proposes, and the others say, We also come with thee. Yet writers can be found to urge that one great object of the Fourth Gospel is to depreciate Peter in comparison with John, one of this very company! The seven go forth by night (the usual time for fishing), but they caught nothing. There is no reason to think that the season was unfavourable; but they were not successful.The word used for catch is worthy of notice. It means to lay hold on, and it does not seem to be elsewhere used in the sense of catching fish.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Joh 21:3-6. Simon Peter saith, I go a fishing They were now waiting for Christs promised appearance to them, and it was certainly commendable in Peter that he wished to redeem the time and not be idle; but endeavour to make some provision for his own support, and for the entertainment of his friends. They say, We also go with thee They were as willing as he to labour for a maintenance, and not to eat the bread of idleness. They went forth, therefore, and entered into a ship immediately A small vessel on the lake or sea of Tiberias; and that night Though it was the properest time for fishing, and they were diligent in throwing their nets; they caught nothing The providence of God so ordering it that the subsequent miracle might be the more illustrious. But when the morning was now come After they had been toiling all night to no purpose; Jesus appeared and stood on the shore over against them; but the disciples Who had no expectation of seeing him there, and also being at some distance from him, and it not being yet perfectly light; knew not that it was Jesus They observed a person upon the shore, but knew not who he was. Then As they approached within call; Jesus saith, Children, have ye any meat? Have you taken fish enough to furnish out a meal? They answered him, No We have been toiling here this whole night in vain. And he said, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find Reader, whether we would cast the temporal net with success, and gain a maintenance for ourselves, and those dependant upon us, or the spiritual net, so as to be successful fishers of men, we have need of the direction of Jesus, and ought to apply to him for it; which if we do aright we shall not do in vain; the direction we need shall certainly be granted us. They Willing to try, at least, whether this stranger conjectured right, cast the net therefore as he had directed them; and now To their great astonishment; they were not able to draw it Into the ship again; for the multitude of fishes Which they had enclosed in it. This was not only a demonstration of the power of our Lord, but a kind supply for them and their families. It was, likewise, an emblem of the great success which should attend them as fishers of men.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Vv. 3, 4. Simon Peter says to them, I go a fishing. They say to him, We also go with thee. They went forth and entered immediately into the boat; and they took nothing that night. 4. But when the morning was already come, Jesus stood on the beach; the disciples, however, knew not that it was Jesus.
Between their first call and the beginning of the active ministry of their Master (see at Joh 2:12), the disciples had returned to their ordinary profession. They seem to have acted in the same way when once they had returned to Galilee after the resurrection. As ordinarily, the initiative comes from Peter.
The word , to take, which is used in Joh 21:3; Joh 21:10, is found again six times in our Gospel, nowhere in the Synoptics (Hengstenberg). On the other hand, the word does not occur again in John. Baumlein rightly observes that the asyndeta , , , etc., are in John’s style.
This long night of toil without result had, no doubt, recalled to the apostles that which had preceded their calling to the office of preachers of the Gospel (Luke 5).
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
Some expositors have interpreted Peter’s words as a renunciation of his calling as Jesus’ disciple. They believe he meant that he intended to return to his former occupation as a fisherman permanently. [Note: E.g., Hoskyns, p. 552.] However there is no basis for this conclusion in the text. Indeed when Peter learned that Jesus was standing on the shore he jumped into the water to get to Jesus as quickly as he could (Joh 21:7).
Peter’s words simply expressed his intention to do some fishing, not to change his vocation. [Note: Bruce, p. 399.] He probably found it very difficult to sit around doing nothing while he and his friends waited for Jesus to appear. Jesus had instructed the disciples to return to Galilee and to wait for him there (cf. Mat 28:7; Mar 14:28; Mar 16:7). So Peter did something that he probably enjoyed doing and presumably did well. Alternatively he may have been returning to his former vocation temporarily only to earn some money so he could feed his family. [Note: Beasley-Murray, p. 399.]
This was not the first time that Peter had met Jesus after the Crucifixion. Jesus had appeared to Peter evidently on Easter morning (1Co 15:5) and undoubtedly on Easter evening (Joh 20:19-23; cf. Mar 16:14). Peter had also seen Jesus the following Sunday when Thomas made his profession of faith (Joh 20:26-29). Therefore we should not conclude that Peter would have been reluctant to see Jesus now because of his denial in the high priest’s courtyard. Peter’s moment of reconciliation with Jesus had already passed.
Peter’s companions followed his lead and joined him. Apparently they launched out on the lake just before or during the night, a popular time to fish. John identified their boat specifically as "the boat." Probably this was Simon’s boat that he had formerly used when he was a professional fisherman (cf. Luk 5:3). The disciples’ failure to catch anything set the stage for Jesus’ miracle that followed.
"They are coming to grips with the resurrection, but they still have not learned the profound truth that apart from Christ they can do nothing (Joh 15:5) . . ." [Note: Carson, The Gospel . . ., p. 670.]
In view of Jesus’ commission, these disciples’ activity seems inappropriate even if it was not rebellious. It contrasts with their behavior following Pentecost when they began to carry out their mission zealously and joyfully. Therefore John’s reference to nighttime may have symbolic overtones again (cf. Joh 13:30).