By the Sea of Tiberias
21 1 After these things Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and this is how he revealed himself. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No."
6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and they were no longer able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around himself, for he had stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards off. 9 When they came ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish laid on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 So Simon Peter climbed aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish — a hundred and fifty-three of them. And even with so many, the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" — they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them, and the fish as well. 14 This was now the third time Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me with all your heart, more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you as a friend." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
16 A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me with all your heart?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you as a friend." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep."
17 A third time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me as a friend?" Peter was hurt that Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me as a friend?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you as a friend." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
18 "Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." a a v18 Jesus was indicating the manner of Peter's future death. Early Christian tradition associates this with Peter's martyrdom by crucifixion. 19 (Jesus said this to show by what kind of death Peter would glorify our Father.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them — the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, "Lord, who is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"
22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me." 23 So the rumor spread among the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?"
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not hold the books that would be written. b b v25 A deliberate figure of speech emphasizing the vastness of Jesus' works rather than a literal statement.