📖 John — Chapter 21 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
John 21:1 After Rthese things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and RThomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, RI 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.
John 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, RChildren, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
John 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. RThey cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
John 21:7 Therefore Rthat disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred Rcubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
John 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, Rthey saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
John 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: Rand for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
John 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, RCome and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21:13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
John 21:14 This is now Rthe third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, Rson of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 He saith to him again Rthe second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was Rgrieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: Rbut when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, RFollow me.
John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, Rseeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, RLord, and what shall this man do?
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
John 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, Rwhat is that to thee?
John 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and Rwe know that his testimony is true.
John 21:25 And Rthere are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
John 21:1–14 — The risen Jesus provides a catch and a meal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
After a fruitless night of fishing, the disciples follow a stranger’s direction and catch many fishes. Recognizing Jesus, they come ashore to his prepared meal, and John identifies the event among his resurrection manifestations.
Key Truth: Recognize the Lord’s care in provision and fellowship.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “After ____ things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the …” (John 21:1)
Find it in John 21:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not …” (John 21:8)
Find it in John 21:8 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “This is now the ____ time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that …” (John 21:14)
Find it in John 21:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 21:15–19 — Peter is called to love, shepherd, and follow
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus asks Peter about love and repeatedly entrusts feeding and shepherding his flock. He then speaks of Peter’s future death glorifying God and renews the call to follow him.
Key Truth: Let love for Jesus become faithful care for those entrusted to you.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “He saith to him again the second time, Simon, ____ of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, …” (John 21:16)
Find it in John 21:16 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I ____ thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)
Find it in John 21:15 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “This spake he, signifying by what ____ he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, …” (John 21:19)
Find it in John 21:19 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 21:20–25 — Comparison is corrected and testimony is affirmed
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Peter asks about the beloved disciple, and Jesus redirects him to his own calling rather than comparison. John corrects a circulating misunderstanding and affirms the witness behind the book while noting the abundance of Jesus’ works.
Key Truth: Follow your entrusted calling and keep reported claims faithful to their actual words.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; …” (John 21:20)
Find it in John 21:20 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Then ____ this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should …” (John 21:23)
Find it in John 21:23 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And there are also many ____ things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be …” (John 21:25)
Find it in John 21:25 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Ezekiel 34:2 — The warning concerning shepherds who feed themselves highlights the seriousness of care for the flock.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What responsibility calls you to faithful care without comparing your path with another person’s?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes John 21:1–14 (The risen Jesus provides a catch and a meal) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes John 21:15–19 (Peter is called to love, shepherd, and follow) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes John 21:20–25 (Comparison is corrected and testimony is affirmed) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What responsibility accompanies Peter's profession of love?
5. How does Jesus redirect Peter's concern about the other disciple?
Notes
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