John – Chapter 21

New Testament25 Verses

Chapter Summary

John 21 opens with the words: "After this, Jesus shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner." The chapter centers on Peter, Simon and John. Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: love and charity and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1After this, Jesus shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner.

2There were together: Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples.

3Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth and entered into the ship: and that night they caught nothing.

4But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5Jesus therefore said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No.

6He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship; and you shall find. They cast therefore: and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes.

7That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea.

8But the other disciples came in the ship (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits) dragging the net with fishes.

9As soon then as they came to land they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread.

10Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught.

11Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken.

12Jesus saith to them: Come and dine. And none of them who were at meat, durst ask him: Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord.

13And Jesus cometh and taketh bread and giveth them: and fish in like manner.

14This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead.

15When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.

16He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.

17He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.

18Amen, amen, I say to thee, When thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldst not.

19And this he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he saith to him: Follow me.

20Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper and said: Lord, who is he that shall betray thee?

21Him therefore when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus: Lord, and what shall this man do?

22Jesus saith to him: So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? Follow thou me.

23This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him: He should not die; but: So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee?

24This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things and hath written these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself. I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

Important Verses in John 21

After this, Jesus shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner.

John 21:1

That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea.

John 21:7

When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.

John 21:15

Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper and said: Lord, who is he that shall betray thee?

John 21:20

Historical Context

John addresses the Church at the close of the apostolic age, led into the mystery of Christ's divinity within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 21 of 21 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Peter, Simon, John and Nathanael, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "After this, Jesus shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner." The chapter ends with: "But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself. I think,…" The wider setting of John is this: The fourth Gospel begins before creation: 'In the beginning was the Word. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of John around About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 90-100, at Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

In this 25-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "After this, Jesus shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner." The passage repeatedly touches on love and charity.

Catholic exegesis reads John 21 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). St. Bernard of Clairvaux and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1362).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

People in This Chapter

Peter9 mentionsSimon8 mentionsJohn3 mentionsNathanael1 mentionThomas1 mention

Reflection for Today

The concluding section of John—Chapter 21 of 21—opens a particular moment in the story of Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life.

According to Catholic teaching, John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). This chapter especially highlights care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 113).

Let John Chapter 21 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John Chapter 21 about?

John 21 contains 25 verses. It opens with "After this, Jesus shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner." and closes with "But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself. I think,…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in John 21?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "After this, Jesus shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in John Chapter 21?

This chapter mentions Peter, Simon, John, Nathanael, Thomas.

Who wrote John and when?

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition. About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

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