Interpretation of the Gospel of John (Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria). Gospel of John Gospel of John chapter 21 read

21:3 I go fishing. These words may indicate that Peter, having denied the Lord, believed that in this regard he had lost the privilege of being His witness.

and didn't catch anything that night. The circumstances of this event are reminiscent of the miraculous fishing associated with the calling of Peter and the other disciples (Luke 5:4-11).

21:4 but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. See com. by 20.14.

21:7 the disciple whom Jesus loved. See com. by 13.23.

21:9 They saw a fire laid out, and fish and bread lying on it. It doesn't say where these products came from. Perhaps their appearance was part of a miracle, although the text of the Gospel does not say this.

21:11 great fish, which were one hundred and fifty-three. Many assumptions have been made regarding the meaning of this number. There is no consensus.

21:14 for the third time. Not generally for the third time, but for the third time before the group of the apostles (cf. 20:19-23.24-28).

21:15 Simon Ionin. In exactly the same way Jesus called Peter when he addressed him with a solemn declaration in response to Peter’s confession (Matt. 16:17).

Do you love Me more than they? The question Jesus asked can be translated in different ways: “Do you love Me more than these people love Me?”; “Do you love Me more than these people?”; "Do you love Me more than these things (net and fish)?"

In the third question, unlike the first two, Jesus uses a different Greek verb meaning “to love,” and Peter uses this exact word in all his answers. Some commentators believe that a change in the verb also indicates a change in the meaning of the question being asked.

feed my lambs.“My lambs” and “My sheep” are the same as “My church” (cf. 10:14.26.27; Matt. 18:18). When Peter writes to his “fellow shepherds” (1 Pet. 5:1.2), imploring them to “Feed the flock of God that is among you,” he shows that Jesus’ words have sunk deep into his heart.

21:17 for the third time. Peter was sad not because Jesus slightly rephrased His third question, but because the three questions about his love for Jesus reminded him of how he had denied his Lord three times in the recent past. However, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to confess his love and confirmed his call to serve the Lord. And that is why Peter calls Jesus “Chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4).

21:19 what kind of death. According to ancient legend, Peter suffered martyrdom, being crucified upside down on the cross.

follow Me. Jesus repeats His original call to the apostles (cf. 21:22; Matt. 4:19; Luke 5:27). Peter is restored to the apostolic ministry, which had been called into question by his denial of Jesus.

21:20 the disciple whom Jesus loved. See com. by 13.23. The following description, when compared with 13:23-25, leaves no doubt that this disciple was John, son of Zebedee.

21:21 what about him? Peter asks an irrelevant question, and Jesus tells him something that applies not only to Peter directly, but to every believer: “...what is that to you? Follow me.”

21:24 This disciple bears witness. The one who described these events is the one who is identified in this Gospel as the disciple whom Jesus loved (13:23).

we know. This is the written testimony of a contemporary who undoubtedly knew John well personally. Therefore, the entire Gospel, including ch. 21, was almost immediately after writing accepted by the Church as canonical.

21:25 The world itself could not contain it. This hyperbole clearly shows that each of the gospel authors had to select the most important from the abundance of materials.

1 After this Jesus appeared again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He appeared like this:

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, who is called the Twin, and Nathanael of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples.

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They say to him: you and I are going too. They went and immediately got into the boat, and did not catch anything that night.

4 And when morning had already come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 Jesus says to them: Children! do you have any food? They answered Him: no.

6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will catch it.” They cast, and could no longer pull out the nets from the multitude of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “This is the Lord.” Simon Peter, hearing that it was the Lord, girded himself with clothing - for he was naked - and threw himself into the sea.

At Lake Gennesaret. Artist Y. Sh von KAROLSFELD

8 And the other disciples came in a boat, for they were not far from the land, about two hundred cubits, dragging a net with fish.

9 When they came to the ground, they saw a fire laid out and fish and bread lying on it.

10 Jesus says to them, Bring the fish that you have now caught.

11 Simon Peter went and brought down to the ground a net filled with great fish, which were one hundred and fifty-three; and with such a multitude the network did not break through.

12 Jesus saith unto them, Come, dine. None of the disciples dared to ask Him: Who are you?, knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus comes and takes the bread and gives them fish also.

14 This was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead.

Jesus and the miraculous catch of fish. Artist G. Dore

15 While they were dining, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon the Jonah! Do you love Me more than they? Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed my lambs.

16 Another time he said to him: Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

17 He said to him the third time: Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter was saddened that he asked him for the third time: Do you love Me? and said to Him: Lord! You know everything; You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and went where you wanted; and when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and lead you where you do not want to go.

19 He said this, indicating by what death Peter would glorify God. And having said this, he said to him: follow me.

20 Peter, turning, sees the disciple, whom Jesus loved, following him, and who at the supper, bowing to His chest, said: Lord! who will betray you?

21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus: Lord! what about him?

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? you follow Me.

23 And this word spread among the brethren, that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but: if I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?

24 This disciple testifies to this, and wrote this; and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things; but if we were to write about it in detail, then I think the world itself would not be able to accommodate the books written. Amen.

. After this, Jesus again appeared to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. ...

Therefore Jesus appeared again to His disciples [Having risen from the dead], on the sea of Tiberias. ...

. While they were having dinner, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon the Jonah! Do you love Me more than they? Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know I love you. ...

When you had dinner, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon of Jonas, do you love Me more than these? The verb to Him: O Lord, You know that I love You. ...

He asks only Peter about this, as the eldest of the disciples. Why does He ask about what He knows about? We’ll say later.

. ...Jesus saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

The verb to him: Feed my lambs.

He calls his disciples His lambs, as their Shepherd; further He calls them sheep. So, Jesus Christ demands from Peter, as proof of love for Himself, care for the disciples, and wants His soul, which Peter promised to lay down for Him, to lay down for the disciples.

. Another time he says to him: Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep. He says to him for the third time: Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter was saddened that he asked him for the third time: Do you love Me? and said to Him: Lord! You know everything; You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

The second verb to him: Simone Ionin, do you love Me? The verb to Him: O Lord, You know that I love You. The verb to Him: Feed My sheep. The third verb to him: Simone Ionin, do you love Me? Peter was offended when he said the third thing to him: Do you love Me? and the verb to Him: Lord, You weigh everything: You weigh, for I love You. Jesus said to him: Feed my sheep.

By asking three times about the same thing and commanding the same thing three times, He wants to show that He places primacy among the disciples very highly and considers it more important than any other service. But Peter, embarrassed by the threefold question and suggesting that it only seemed to him that he loved Jesus Christ, but in fact did not love him, just as before it seemed to him that he would never renounce Jesus Christ, but, however, he did, - Peter, embarrassed by this, became sad and afraid. The previous trial now made him more moderate and prudent. Now he presents Jesus Christ Himself as a witness, as knowing everything before it is fulfilled, and says: “You weigh everything,” both the present and the future, as God. “You know that I love You now with all my soul.” Peter says nothing more now, since he cannot know the future, and since a little earlier, having expressed a contradiction, he was already exposed that in vain he was so confident in himself. The disciples are called lambs and sheep because of their kindness and readiness to be sacrificed - first - lambs, as less perfect, and then - sheep, as more perfect. So, he returns to Peter the right to shepherd the believers, since he previously washed away the stain of renunciation with bitter tears, and now, instead of a threefold renunciation, he pronounced a threefold confession and, thus, first by deed, and now by word, corrected the fall that was in words. Then Jesus Christ accurately predicts Peter and the manner of his death, namely that he too will die on the cross, showing by this that everything that He said to Peter, he said not because he did not know what he was asking about, and not because he did not believed him.

. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and went wherever you wanted;...

Amen, amen, I say to you: when you were young, you walked yourself and you walked as you wanted:...

When you were more imperfect, under the Law of Moses, then you did what you wanted and lived as you wanted.

. ...and when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and lead you where you do not want to go.

When you are old, you lift up your hands, and he will girdle you and lead you, even if you didn’t want to.

And when you become a perfect man and reach the measure of spiritual age (), being under the perfect law of the Gospel, you will stretch out your hands on the cross and another will nail you with nails and lead you to death, where your nature does not want to go, although you decide to go. The soul by nature has compassion for the body and, hearing about death, turns away from it. He so wisely arranged it for our benefit so that during times of misfortune people would not take their own lives, as has already been said. If even now, when our soul suffers greatly when separated from our body, the enemy often persuades us to commit suicide, then, of course, many would resort to suicide even more quickly if this were not the case.

. He said this, making it clear how Peter would glorify God. ...

This speech signifies by which death he will glorify God. ...

Death as a martyr serves as glory not only for the dying disciple, but also for God - for the dying person, because he dies for God, and for God, because He has such a disciple.

. ...And having said this, he said to him: Follow Me.

And this river said to him: follow Me.

This again shows Peter that He is again calling him to apostleship or: “walk according to Me,” i.e. be ready to endure the same with Me on the cross.

. Peter, turning, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following him...

Peter turned to the form of the disciple whom Jesus loved, following after him...

walking behind Peter; It so happened that John was walking closest to Peter at that time.

. ...and who at supper, bowing to His chest, said: Lord! who will betray you?

He also reclined at supper on His chest and said: Lord, who is it that betrays Thee?

It was during the Last Supper. The Evangelist mentions the reclining at the Last Supper and the question to show how courageous Peter became by repenting of his denial. During the Last Supper, he did not dare to ask the Lord and used the help of his beloved disciple to do this, and now he boldly asks about his beloved disciple himself.

. When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus: Lord! what about him?

When Peter saw this, Jesus said: Lord, what is this?

Will he not follow You? Won't you follow the same path of death with us? Will he not suffer the same death as us? Peter understood the meaning of the words: “walk according to Me” and, loving John very much, he wanted him to be worthy of the same death; but since John did not dare to ask the Savior, Peter himself asks and thus repays John for the previous service. What ? Not paying attention to their private mutual love and teaching not to inquire more than what needs to be known, Jesus Christ shows that they are predetermined by unequal fates (When Peter heard (some interpret) that he would die for Jesus Christ, he said: what then? John? Will he also die? Jesus Christ, of course, did not deny this, because everyone who is born will die, but only said: if I wished that John would remain until the very end of the world and then testify about Me, that do you care? On this basis, some say that John lives, and at the time of the Antichrist, together with Elijah and Enoch, will be killed for preaching about Jesus Christ. And if his tomb is shown, then what of this? He entered it alive and from there was taken like Elijah and Enoch. The Evangelist refutes the false opinion of those who assume that this disciple of Christ will not die, since the assumption that John is immortal is indeed false. Enoch and Elijah, although they did not die, are nevertheless mortal; so is this one The student, although not dead, will die again. It is false, then, not that John did not die, but the assumption that he is immortal is false. Others claim that John died, and the expression: “If I want, let him remain, until I come”- they understand in this sense that John should remain in Judea until he comes against the Jews in order to defeat them at the hands of the Romans - and that, therefore, Peter had to part with John in order to preach in different places for greater benefit. So, we have given here all the opinions so that those interested in this subject can know everything. In addition, those who say that John died convey it this way: they dug, they say, a hole and surrounded it with stones; then they lowered it there and closed it. A few days later they examined this pit and did not find him; but since they still put him there, they say that he died).

. Jesus says to him: if I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?...

Jesus said to him: If I will, let him remain, until I come, what to you?...

If I want him to remain alive until My second coming, what is that to you?

You follow Me.

Think about your death without looking for the one that awaits John.

. And this word spread between the brothers...

Now the word went out to the brethren...

What is this word?

. ...that the student will not die. ...

As if her disciple will not die. ...

Probably others also heard what was said to Peter. This word flashed between the brothers, i.e. that John would not die - although they were mistaken and did not understand the purpose of these words. The evangelist then corrects such false reports.

. ...But Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but: if I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?

And Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: If I want him to remain, I will come, what to you?

And these words do not at all mean that John will not die, but have a completely different goal, as was said above. What basis remains for those who continue to claim that John did not die, when he himself clearly says that those who assume this are mistaken?

. This disciple testifies to this and wrote this; and we know that his testimony is true.

This is the disciple who bears witness of these things which are also written: and we know that his testimony is true.

I myself, as an eyewitness, know that this testimony is true. Obviously others knew this too. So, John, completely confident in the truth of what he testified to, seems to say this: I know that this may seem suspicious to some precisely because there is no mention of it in the other evangelists.

. Jesus did many other things...

The essence of many other things that Jesus did...

The evangelist said the same thing before about the miracles of Jesus Christ.

. ...but if we were to write about it in detail, then I think the world itself would not be able to accommodate the books written. Amen.

Even Even if Bysha had been written in one way, I would not be able to accommodate the [whole] world of written books. Amen.

The world would not have been able to accommodate these books for another reason, namely not because of the multitude of books written, but because of the greatness of what is written in them. This is hyperbolic speech, pointing to the great multitude of works accomplished by the Lord. Hyperbole is often used by writers and speakers when they want to depict the greatness of an object. The evangelist himself, adding the word "I think", weakened somewhat the hyperbole and strengthened the belief of what might have seemed incredible, showing that he said so because of the great multitude of works done by the Lord. He did quite a lot of other things as the Almighty, because it was easier for Him to do than for us to speak; but the evangelists wrote down only what was more useful and more necessary for faith and piety, on the assumption that an unbeliever would not believe what was written down even if more was written down, and for one who accepts with faith everything written down there would be no need for more. Oh, that we too might turn out to be perfect servants of the All-Perfect Trinity and end our lives with a good death in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

While they were having dinner, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon the Jonah! Do you love Me more than they? Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed my lambs.

Another time he says to him: Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

He says to him for the third time: Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter was saddened that he asked him for the third time: Do you love Me? and said to Him: Lord! You know everything; You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and went where you wanted; and when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and lead you where you do not want to go.

He said this, making it clear by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And having said this, he said to him: follow me.

Peter, turning, sees the disciple following him, whom Jesus loved, and who at the supper, bowing to His chest, said: Lord! who will betray you?

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus: Lord! what about him?

Jesus says to him: If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? you follow Me.

And this word spread between the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but: if I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? –

This disciple testifies to this and wrote this; and we know that his testimony is true.

Jesus did many other things; but if we were to write about it in detail, then I think the world itself would not be able to accommodate the books written. Amen.

Interpretation of Theophylact of Bulgaria

Since the dinner had a purpose, He entrusts Peter with the care of the sheep of the entire universe, entrusts the care to no one else, but to him, firstly, because he was chosen from all and was the mouth of the entire face of the apostles; then in order to show that he must have boldness, since his renunciation has been atoned for. He does not remember the renunciation, does not blame it for it, but says: “If you love Me, take care of your brothers and now prove that ardent love for Me, about which you said that you are ready to die for Me.”

John 21:16. Another time he says to him: Simon the Jonah! Do you love Me?: Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know that I love You: Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

John 21:17. He says to him for the third time: Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter was saddened that he asked him for the third time: Do you love Me?

He asks him three times in part in order to show that He cares so much about believers and loves His sheep so much that caring for His sheep serves as a sign of love for Himself; partly by threefold questioning and confession, he heals threefold renunciation and with words corrects the fall that happened in words. From now on, a custom arose - requiring those wishing to be baptized to confess three times.

and said to Him: Lord! You know everything; You know I love you.

After the first and second questions, Peter calls Himself, the Knower of hearts, as a witness; he no longer relies on himself, does not answer hastily, but every time he adds: “You know.”

When Peter was asked for the third time, he was confused whether he was mistaken in thinking about himself that he loved, when, perhaps, in reality he did not love, because before he had thought a lot about himself and his strength, however However, the consequences refuted it. And now he was afraid of the same thing. That’s why he answers with reverence: “Lord! You know everything, both the present and the future; You know that now I love You, as it seems to me, but whether my love will endure in the future, You know that, and I don’t stand up for myself.”

Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

Another, perhaps, will find a difference between the names: “lambs” and “sheep,” between the words “nourish” and “feed.” By “lambs” perhaps we mean beginners, and by “sheep” we mean more advanced ones. So, whoever loves Christ must have care for the lambs and the sheep, must “feed” the lambs, that is, have simpler supervision over them, and “feed” the sheep, which indicates higher leadership. Sometimes, however, even the most perfect need tender care, and the sheep handlers must feed them. “Shepherd” expresses stricter supervision, and “nourish” - more gentle. What will we render to the Lord, who loved us so much that He took care of His sheep as a sign of love for Himself?

John 21:18. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and went where you wanted; and when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and lead you where you do not want to go.

The Lord, having told Peter about his love for Himself, also predicts to him about the torment that he will endure. He says this in order to show that if He asks him about love, he asks not out of distrust of him, but out of confidence that he loves, for how can he not love who will be tortured for Him? He asked in order to further reveal the love of Peter himself and to teach everyone else that if we want to love Him, we must prove our love for Him by caring for the brethren.

How does martyrdom portend for him? Listen. “When you were young, you girded yourself,” and so on. “Since,” he says, “you love Me and have more than once promised to lay down your life for Me in danger, then be calm; I will fulfill your desire, so that what you did not tolerate in your youth, you will tolerate in your old age.” Reminds him of his previous life in order to show that the spiritual and the carnal are in an inverse relationship. In everyday affairs the young are useful, but the old are useless; in spiritual matters, on the contrary, the feat is more brilliant when old age comes. He says this in order to arouse his love and inflame him to martyrdom.

It also hints to him that he too will be crucified. For the words “stretch out your hands, and another will gird them” indicate nothing more than prostration on the cross and bonds. The words “when you were young” and again “and when you are old” show that Peter was then neither young nor old, but a perfect man.

Why did the Lord tell him that “another will gird you and lead you where you do not want”? Although Peter desired martyrdom, and desired it ardently, the words of the Lord indicate the sympathy of our nature for life and the fact that the soul is reluctant to be separated from the body. For God arranged it this way, and arranged it for our benefit, so that we would not kill ourselves. That is why no one, even if he were holy, lays down his body dispassionately.

John 21:19. He said this, making it clear by what kind of death Peter would glorify God.

The Evangelist, according to his custom, adds to the explanation of the words: “He said this, making it clear by what kind of death: Peter will glorify God.” Jesus said to Peter, “Stretch out your hands,” and so on, meaning that he would suffer torment for Him. He calls Petrov’s death the glory of God, because suffering for Him to the point of death truly is the glory of God. For if the soul is not completely convinced that He is the true God, then a person will not die for Him. Therefore, the death of the saints is a confirmation of the glory of God.

And having said this, he said to him: follow me.

The Lord entrusted Peter with the care of all believers. For if Jacob received the throne in Jerusalem, then Peter received the throne in the whole universe. After this, the Lord says to him: “Follow Me,” showing concern for him and His great disposition towards him.

By following here we mean diligence in all deeds and words. For those follow Him who follow in the footsteps of His life and imitate His correctness in everything. Perhaps He commands Peter to follow Him sensually, revealing, as I said, His special disposition towards him. For we make our followers those who are close to us.

John 21:20. Peter, turning, sees the disciple following him, whom Jesus loved, and who at the supper, bowing to His chest, said: Lord! who will betray you?

Why does the evangelist mention that he bowed to his chest and asked who would betray You? Not simply and not by chance, but to show that Peter, even after his denial, had boldness before the Lord. For the one who before the Cross did not dare to ask about the traitor, but entrusted the question to another, namely John, is now entrusted with the care of everyone, and he not only does not entrust the question about himself to another, but also about that very disciple who used the special before with all love, asks the Lord and becomes, as it were, an intercessor before Him.

John 21:21. When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus: Lord! what about him?

When Peter heard this and was rewarded with the fact that the universe would be handed over to him and that he would be crowned with martyrdom, then, out of strong love for John, he asked about him: “What is he? Will he also go the same way as us? Will he not also be a partner in the care and care of the sheep?” For the words “follow me” almost mean the same thing as go, receive the sheep, go out into the universe.

John 21:22. Jesus says to him: If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? you follow Me.

Knowing that Peter cares about John and does not want to be separated from him, the Lord, in order to end their untimely union and affection for each other, says: “You have been entrusted with a task; do it and follow Me, when I take you out to preach, I entrust you with the whole universe. If I want him to stay here, in the vicinity of Galilee, and I don’t want to send him with you, what is that to you?”

Some understood the words “until I come” as follows: until I come against the Jews who crucified Me, to punish them through the Romans and destroy their city. For they say that this apostle (John) almost until the reign of Vespasian was in the mountainous places, preaching and staying there, and before the capture of Jerusalem he withdrew from there.

So, since they were entrusted with a great task - preaching, they should no longer be together with each other, but separately go one to those, the other to others.

John 21:23. And this word spread between the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but: if I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? —

Marvel, perhaps, at the modesty of the evangelist, with which he corrects the erroneous understanding of many who did not understand what the Lord said about him, but thought that he would not die. This did not happen, the Lord did not say that he would not die, but that he would not preach at the same time as Peter, but would remain after him. “Until I come,” that is, until I want to take him out to preach. I am now bringing you out into the care of the universe, and you follow Me, and let him remain here until I come again and bring him out as well as you.

Some understand it this way: Peter, hearing that he would die for Christ, said: “What about John? Will he also die? Christ did not reject this, for everyone who is born will die, but said: “If I want him to remain, that is, to live until the end of the world and then become a martyr for Me.” Hence they say that he is alive, but will be killed by the Antichrist when, together with Elijah, he begins to preach Christ. If they indicate his coffin, what's the matter? He entered it alive, and then was put to death, like Enoch and Elijah.

So, the evangelist refutes the false opinion of those who thought that this disciple would not die, but would be immortal: for it is a complete lie for a person to be immortal. Although Enoch and Elijah did not die, they are nevertheless mortal. So, although he did not die, he will die. Therefore, the understanding of the word “will not die” in the sense that he will be immortal is false.

Others claim that he died, and the words “if I want him to remain” are understood as we explained above. We have expressed all opinions so that none is unknown to the curious. In our opinion, the words “so that he may remain until I come” are better understood not about life, but about separation from Peter, as the illustrious and golden-mouthed John understood it.

John 21:24. This disciple testifies to this and wrote this; and we know that his testimony is true.

Of the other evangelists, not one testified about himself. They say that he, after everyone else, began to write the Gospel, having been moved and excited to do so by Christ. That is why he constantly mentions His love for himself, showing the reason why he began to write, and that Christ entrusted this work to the one whom He loved more than others.

And I know that he speaks the truth, that is: “What I wrote, I wrote with complete confidence, since I was present with everything, with deeds and words, with suffering and circumstances after the resurrection. Therefore, I boldly say about myself that I am true, and challenge you to consider and examine each individual event.” We humans, when we are absolutely sure of the truth, have a habit of not giving up our own testimony about it. So the apostles said: “We are his witnesses in what we say, and the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:32).

How can it be seen that I am telling the truth and not to please the Teacher? From the fact that I left a lot, it is clear that I did not want to please Him. For I exposed all that was reproachful, without hiding the fact that He was called a lawless man and a deceiver, and even possessed by a demon. Obviously, I wasn't trying to please Him. For whoever flatters does the opposite: he omits what is shameful, and puts on display what is honorable.

John 21:25. Jesus did many other things; but if we were to write about it in detail, then I think the world itself would not be able to accommodate the books written. Amen.

Do not be surprised at what was said, that if books were written about the deeds of Jesus, the world would not contain them; but accept your thoughts about the ineffable power of God the Word and what is said with faith. For just as it is easy for us to speak, so it is easy for Him, and even much easier, to do whatever He pleases.

Some say that this, according to the custom of Scripture, is said hyperbolically; for Scripture is in the habit of using hyperbole. For example: “we saw cities reaching to heaven” (Num. 13:29), “we saw sons, and they were like locusts in our eyes” (Num. 13:34) and the like. In the same sense, it is said here that the world could not contain written books.

Otherwise, by “world” we mean a person who philosophizes about worldly things; But the divine and mysterious works performed by Jesus in the invisible and visible world, and in the dispensation of the last time, which is full of secrets, a worldly person cannot understand, according to what was said: “I have many things to tell you; but now you cannot contain it” (John 16:12).

But let us pray that the works and words of the Lord never fall into oblivion among us, but that we always open this book of the Beloved and seek the treasure contained in the miracles and teachings of Jesus; so that we, having been purified in word and life, on the day of revelation, may be worthy of the most ineffable deeds and mysteries, which now, being in the world, we cannot contain, and become perfect in Christ Himself, Who loved us, and through His beloved disciple, enlightened us with theology and knowledge His is the Son, and the Father, and the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory forever.

1 Jesus appears to the seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. 15 Jesus said three times to Peter: “Do you love me? Feed My sheep." 20 Reprimand Peter; “you follow me.” 24 The True Testimony of a Disciple.

1 After this Jesus appeared again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He appeared like this:

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, who is called the Twin, and Nathanael of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples.

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They say to him: you and I are going too. They went and immediately got into the boat, and did not catch anything that night.

4 And when morning had already come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 Jesus says to them: children! do you have any food? They answered Him: no.

6 He said to them: cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will catch. They threw it in and couldn't get it out. networks from a lot of fish.

8 And the other disciples came in a boat, for they were not far from the land, about two hundred cubits, dragging a net with fish.

9 When they came to the ground, they saw a fire laid out and fish and bread lying on it.

10 Jesus says to them: bring the fish you have now caught.

11 Simon Peter went and brought down to the ground a net filled with large fish, of which there were one hundred fifty three; and with such a multitude the network did not break through.

12 Jesus says to them: come have lunch. None of the disciples dared to ask Him: “Who are you?”, knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus comes, takes the bread and gives them fish also.

14 This was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead.

15 While they were having dinner, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon Ionin! Do you love Me more than they? Peter Jesus tells him: feed my lambs.

16 Another time he said to him: Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know I love you. Jesus He says to him: Feed My sheep.

17 He said to him the third time: Simon Ionin! do you love me? Peter was saddened that he asked him for the third time: “Do you love Me?”, and said to Him: Lord! You know everything; You know I love you. Jesus says to him: Feed My sheep.

19 He said this, indicating by what kind of death Peter will glorify God. And having said this, he said to him: follow me.

20 Peter, turning, sees the disciple, whom Jesus loved, following him, and who at the supper, bowing to His chest, said: “Lord! who will betray you?

21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus: Lord! what about him?

22 Jesus says to him: if I want him to stay until I come, what do you need before that? you follow me.

23 And this word spread among the brethren, that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but: “If I want him to remain until I come, what do you need before that?»

24 This disciple testifies to this, and wrote this; and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things; but if we were to write about it in detail, then I think the world itself would not be able to accommodate the books written. Amen.

Found an error in the text? Select it and press: Ctrl + Enter

Gospel of John, chapter 21

$mob_info$