John 21
1 After that, Jesus showed himself to [us] disciples when we were at Tiberias Lake, [which is another name for Galilee Lake]. This is what happened:
After this, Jesus again showed Himself to the disciples. It was at the Lake of Tiberias. The circumstances were as follows.
2 Simon Peter, Thomas who was called {whom [we] called} The Twin, Nathaniel from Cana [town] in Galilee, my older brother and I, and two other disciples were together.
Simon Peter was with Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zabdi, and two others of the Master's disciples.
3 Simon Peter said to us, “[I] am going to [try to] catch some fish.” We said, “We will go with you.” So we went down [to the lake] and got into the boat. But that night we caught nothing.
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." "We will go too," said they. So they set out and went on board their boat; but they caught nothing that night.
4 Early the next morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but we did not know that it was Jesus.
When, however, day was now dawning, Jesus stood on the beach, though the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to us, “My friends, you have not [caught] any fish, have you?” We answered, “You are correct, [we have not caught any].”
He called to them. "Children," He said, "have you any food there?" "No," they answered.
6 He said to us, “Throw your net out from the right-hand side of the boat! Then you will find some!” We did that, and we caught so many fish [in the net] that we were unable to pull the net into [the boat]!
"Throw the net in on the right hand side," He said, "and you will find fish." So they threw the net in, and now they could scarcely drag it along for the quantity of fish.
7 [But I knew that it was Jesus], [so] I said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Peter had taken off his cloak [while he was working], but as soon as he heard [me say] “It is the Lord!” he wrapped his cloak around himself and jumped into the water [and swam to shore].
This made the disciple whom Jesus loved say to Peter, "It is the Master." Simon Peter therefore, when he heard the words, "It is the Master," drew on his fisherman's shirt--for he had not been wearing it--put on his girdle, and sprang into the water.
8 The rest of us came [to the shore] in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. We were not far from shore, only about 100 yards/meters.
But the rest of the disciples came in the small boat (for they were not far from land--only about a hundred yards off), dragging the net full of fish.
9 When [we] got to the shore, we saw that there was a fire of burning coals there, with a [large] fish on the fire, and [some] buns.
As soon as they landed, they saw a charcoal fire burning there, with fish broiling on it, and bread close by.
10 Jesus said to us, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught!”
Jesus told them to fetch some of the fish which they had just caught.
11 Simon Peter got in [the boat] and dragged the net to the shore. It was full of large fish. There were 153 of them! But in spite of there being so many fish, the net was not torn.
So Simon Peter went on board the boat and drew the net ashore full of large fish, 153 in number; and yet, although there were so many, the net had not broken.
12 Jesus said to us, “Come and eat some breakfast!” None of us dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because we knew that it was the Lord.
"Come this way and have breakfast," said Jesus. But not one of the disciples ventured to question Him as to who He was, for they felt sure that it was the Master.
13 Jesus took the buns and gave them to us. He did the same with the fish.
Then Jesus came and took the bread and gave them some, and the fish in the same way.
14 That was the third time that Jesus appeared to [us] disciples after [God] caused him to become alive again after he died.
This was now the third occasion on which Jesus showed Himself to the disciples after He had risen from among the dead.
15 When we had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “John’s [son] Simon, do you love me more than these [other disciples do]?” Peter said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me (OR, that I love you).” Jesus said, “Give to [those who belong to] me [what they need spiritually, like] [MET] [a shepherd provides] food for his lambs.”
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Master," was his answer; "you know that you are dear to me." "Then feed my lambs," replied Jesus.
16 Jesus said to him again, “John’s [son] Simon, do you love me?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me (OR, that I love you).” Jesus said to him, “Take care of [those who belong to] me, [like] [MET] a [shepherd takes care of his] sheep.”
Again a second time He asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Master," he said, "you know that you are dear to me." "Then be a shepherd to my sheep," He said.
17 Jesus said to him a third time, “John’s son Simon, am I really dear to you (OR, do you really love me)?” Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him this three times, [and because the third time he changed the question]. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that you are dear to me (OR, that I love you).” Jesus said, “Give to [those who belong to] me [what they need spiritually, as] [MET] [a shepherd provides] food for [his] sheep.
A third time Jesus put the question: "Simon, son of John, am I dear to you?" It grieved Peter that Jesus asked him the third time, "Am I dear to you?" "Master," he replied, "you know everything, you can see that you are dear to me." "Then feed my much-loved sheep," said Jesus.
18 Now listen to this carefully: When you were young, you put your clothes on by yourself, and you went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your arms, and someone will fasten them [with a rope] and will lead you to a place where you do not want to [go].”
"In most solemn truth I tell you that whereas, when you were young, you used to put on your girdle and walk whichever way you chose, when you have grown old you will stretch out your arms and some one else will put a girdle round you and carry you where you have no wish to go."
19 Jesus said this to indicate how Peter would die ([violently/on a cross]) in order to honor God. Then Jesus said to him, “Keep being my faithful disciple [until you die].”
This He said to indicate the kind of death by which that disciple would bring glory to God; and after speaking thus He said to him, "Follow me."
20 Peter turned around and saw that I was following them. I was the one who leaned close to Jesus during the [Passover] meal and said, “Lord, who is going to enable your enemies to seize you?”
Peter turned round and noticed the disciple whom Jesus loved following--the one who at the supper had leaned back on His breast and had asked, "Master, who is it that is betraying you?"
21 When Peter saw me, he asked, “Lord, what [is going to happen] to him?”
On seeing him, Peter asked Jesus, "And, Master, what about him?"
22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain [alive] until I return, (that is not your concern!/what is that to you?) [RHQ] You be my [faithful] disciple!”
"If I desire him to remain till I come," replied Jesus, "what concern is that of yours? You, yourself, must follow me."
23 Some of the other believers heard [a report of] what Jesus had said about me, and [they thought that Jesus meant] that I would not die. But Jesus did not say that I would not die. He said only, “If I want him to remain [alive] until I return, (that is not your concern!/what is that to you?) [RHQ]”
Hence the report spread among the brethren that that disciple would never die. Yet Jesus did not say, "He is not to die," but, "If I desire him to remain till I come, what concern is that of yours?"
24 [I, John], am the disciple who has seen all these things and I have written them down. My [fellow apostles] and I know that what [I have written] is true.
That is the disciple who gives his testimony as to these matters, and has written this history; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 Jesus did many other things. If they would [all] be written {If people would write them [all]} down [in detail], I suppose that the whole world would not have enough space [HYP] to contain the books that would be written {that they would write} [about what he did].
But there are also many other things which Jesus did--so vast a number indeed that if they were all described in detail, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would have to be written.
