Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John closes with a hyperbole which tells us that there is a lot more about Jesus than we can ever know. The …
Category Archives: Book of John By Verse
John 21:24
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Each has his own role in the Kingdom of God. Peter had his and John had his. The previous verse indicates that John lived to be very old, which allies itself with tradition. His …
John 21:23
Because of this, the rumour spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” It is easy to see how the early church could have misunderstood …
John 21:22
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Jesus strongly told Peter that it is none of his business. He followed with a repetition of the command in verse (21:19) except there is a slight change in the wording and now there …
John 21:21
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Peter’s question was probably for John’s benefit, as a close friend (Acts 3:1) and in repayment for the favor John did for him at the supper (John 13:24). But Peter’s motives may have been less pure. He may have been shocked by Jesus’ prediction of …
John 21:20
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) Peter was in the company of Jesus, Who had invited him to take a personal walk with Him. But …
John 21:19
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter is going to glorify God by his death, just like Jesus (John 12:23, 15:8). Our admonition is to glorify Jesus, whether in our living or in our dying (Php 1:20). John 12:23 …
John 21:18
I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where 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.” Jesus followed His commission of Peter with a prophecy. Jesus indicated …
John 21:17
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Jesus asked for the third time if Peter …
John 21:16
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” Jesus repeated His previous question without adding the “more than these.” Peter’s reply was the same as before and the response of Jesus to Peter’s reply …
John 21:15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus had some very important things to say to Peter but He waited until after the meal was …
John 21:14
This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. John writes that this is the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples, but He has appeared at least six times already (Matt 28:8-9, Mark 16:12, Luke 24:34, John 20:14-17, 19, 26). John must here be writing …
John 21:13
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. The disciples evidently found it difficult to begin eating, so Jesus started them out by passing the food. It seems that Jesus dined with them. Though He had a glorified body which undoubtedly did not need food, He …
John 21:12
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus did not say “Come and wait on Me” nor did He say “Go and dine.” He invited the disciples to come and dine with Him. He invited them into food …
John 21:11
Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Note that the disciple who had just shown the most zeal for his Master, is now showing the quickest obedience. Is this always the case? Peter may not have …
John 21:10
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Apparently Jesus wants to supplement the fish He has already cooked with some from the large catch. He could have had enough already, but He chose not to, perhaps so they could eat of that for which they had labored (Psa 128:2). …
John 21:9
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. When they got to shore they found that Jesus already had breakfast made for them. He had provided for their needs before they knew they had them. Barclay notes that this was also a sign to them …
John 21:8
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. Even though they did not cast themselves into the sea like Peter, the other disciples came slowly in the boat to Jesus. Peter should be commended for his zeal, but if …
John 21:7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. Note that the one Jesus loved was the first to discern that …
John 21:6
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Jesus tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, which must have been the opposite …
John 21:5
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. Jesus called them “children” (paidon in Greek and translated as “friends” in NIV) which is a term for little or young children, corresponding to the English “lads”. It is a tender term, denoting His affection for His disciples. The question Jesus asked …
John 21:4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. “when the day was now breaking” (NAS95) is a good translation. The word for day (proia) means the breaking of day, or very early morning. Dawn was just breaking. After a night’s work completely lacking in …
John 21:3
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Peter proposes a fishing trip and it seems that it is completely spontaneous. The disciples were probably waiting in Galilee for the meeting with …
John 21:2
Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. The sons of Zebedee were John and James (Matt 4:21). Nathanael of Cana (John 1:45-49) was also present along with Thomas and Peter and 2 unnamed disciples who may have been Philip of Bethsaida (John …
John 21:1
Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: “appeared” (NIV) = “Manifested” (KJV) = phaneroo = to make manifest or visible or known what was hidden or unknown; to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way. This shows us that Jesus was in …
John 20:31
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John now gives us the purpose of his gospel. He uses the perfect tense “have been written” which gives an air or permanency about it much like …
John 20:30
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. John has made a selection from all the signs Jesus did and all the words He spoke, including all that met his purposes in writing this gospel and leaving out those that didn’t. Karl Heim thinks …
John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus declares Thomas to be a believer even though he was slow in his acceptance of the truth. Jesus is no less gracious with us today! Thomas must have thought, “If only …
John 20:28
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas proves to be much less skeptical than he thought. When he sees Jesus and hears His words to him, Thomas’ doubts all vanish and he believes without applying any of the tests he had previously demanded. (It seems certain that Thomas did not put his …
John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus turned directly to Thomas, singling him out from the others and thus giving the impression He had made this appearance just for Thomas’ sake. Note that the test …
John 20:26
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” The eighth day (KJV) is inclusive of the previous Sunday when Jesus had first appeared to the disciples. This is the following Sunday …
John 20:25
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” The disciples tell Thomas of the appearance of Christ to …
John 20:24
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. Didymus means “twin” or “double” which indicates that Thomas had a twin brother. The disciples are still called “the twelve” though Judas is now dead (Matt 27:1-5). Matthew 27:1-5 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the …
John 20:23
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” The authority to forgive sins belongs only to God. However, Jesus claimed to have this power (Mark 2:5-7) and He is now passing it along to his church. Notice however, that He gives this authority only …
John 20:22
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Now that He has commissioned them, Jesus gives them what they will need to discharge their commission. The word “breathed” is the same word as in Septuagint of (Gen 2:7) where God breathed the breath of life into Adam, thus indicating a …
John 20:21
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus repeats His greeting of “Peace be unto you.” Why? For emphasis. Why did the disciples need for Him to emphasize this phrase? Perhaps to completely erase all of their fears and to settle them down from their …
John 20:20
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Many people had seen Jesus die just 3 days ago and now here He was alive again. At least it looked like Jesus; but was this the same person who had died on the cross? …
John 20:19
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” A parallel passage to this account in John is found in (Luke 24:36-43). The differences between the two accounts …
John 20:18
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. Mary is faithful to report to the disciples just as Jesus instructed. The disciples however, believed neither Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11) nor the other women who had seen the …
John 20:17
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” “Touch me not” (KJV) seems a perplexing command by Jesus in light of the fact …
John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus only utters one word, her name, but it is enough for her to immediately recognize Him. When the Good Shepherd calls His sheep, they shall know His voice (John 10:3-4). Note the similarity to (Matt 14:25-27). …
John 20:15
“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus inquires into why Mary is weeping and whom she is seeking. Note that Jesus …
John 20:14
At this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus. Something caused Mary to turn around and see Jesus standing there. It may have been a noise that Jesus made upon His appearing or it may have been a motion or a glance from the angels …
John 20:13
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” Their question to her is a legitimate one: why is she weeping? Lenski comments “Indeed, why does she weep? – when we should all have had cause to weep to …
John 20:12
and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. The other women had earlier seen angels at the tomb and now Mary sees them. It is interesting that Peter and John, both of whom had just been in the tomb had not …
John 20:11
but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb “But” stands Mary in contrast to the two disciples who went home. Either she arrived after Peter and John left or before their departure. “wept” = klaio = the noisy wailing common to Easterners (John 11:31). This …
John 20:10
Then the disciples went back to their homes, The disciples went away to their own homes. Robertson has the insight that “John had taken the mother of Jesus to his home (John 19:27) and so he now hurried home to tell her the glorious news as he believed.” (RWP) John 19:27 and to the disciple, …
John 20:9
(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) The word “still” which is translated as “As yet” in (AV) indicates that eventually they would come to know. It is uncertain, however, exactly which scripture to which John is referring, much like Paul in (1 Cor 15:4). They could …
John 20:8
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. The boldness of Peter encouraged John to enter the tomb and very probably the fast running of John had spurred Peter to even greater speed than he thought himself capable of. Again, it is the same with us …
John 20:7
as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. The cloth which had covered the face of Jesus was lying by itself some distance from the linen strips. Some take the meaning of this and the previous verse to indicate that …
John 20:6
Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, Although Peter came in last in the race to the tomb, he was first to go inside. Even though John outran him, he never slowed in his run to the tomb and was rewarded …
John 20:5
He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. John hesitates to go into the tomb, only going as far as Mary Magdalene. Henry notes that “many are swift to run religion’s race that are not stout to fight her battles.” John’s courage ended at the …
John 20:4
Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. They ran “together”. If Peter or John had been alone, they may never have ventured forth to the tomb, but having someone with them helped them to do this good thing at the right time. What does this teach us? Ecclesiastes …
John 20:3
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Mary may have told her story to only Peter and John or she may have been the spokeswoman for the other women who told the eleven (Luke 24:9), in which case only Peter and John ventured to the tomb. Note that Peter is mentioned first …
John 20:2
So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” Mary Magdalene left the tomb at once before the rest and without seeing the angels as told in the Synoptics …
John 20:1
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. All four gospels go to great length to record and thereby prove the resurrection of Christ. The reasons for this are at least twofold. First, …
John 19:42
Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus there. There was a need to hurry since the Sabbath day began at sunset, which was fast approaching by now. Thus the burial must be completed quickly, which is why they only partially prepared His body for …
John 19:41
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no-one had ever been laid. There are 3 gardens mentioned in the Bible where man meets with God. The first was the Garden of Eden where God met often with man (Gen 2:8-9, 15-17, 3:8-10), …
John 19:40
Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. It was the custom of the Jews to wrap the dead bodies in strips of linen and to bury then with spices as the following extracts from the Mishnah attest: “let …
John 19:39
He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Nicodemus was also there helping in the preparation of Christ’s body for a respectful burial. Note that the thing about Nicodemus which comes most readily to John’s mind was that …
John 19:38
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. “Later” (NIV) or “After these things” (KJV) does not indicate a strict chronological sequence with what has occurred. Joseph did …
John 19:37
and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” The second of those unusual circumstances was also to fulfill scripture and this time the scripture is stated (Zec 12:10). This whole passage in Zechariah is about the coming of Messiah and the results of it (Zech 12:10 – 13:9). Even …
John 19:36
These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” The circumstances of Jesus’ death were extraordinary. He did not have his legs broken even though the other two being crucified with Him did, and His body was pierced by the hard thrust of a spear, which …
John 19:35
The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. This incident made a lasting impression on the mind of the writer, who is undoubtedly the beloved disciple, John. The writer does not identify himself and …
John 19:34
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. One of the soldiers was not content to determine the death of Jesus by observation alone, so he thrust his spear into the side of Jesus, producing a flow of blood and water, which, according to …
John 19:33
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Even though man had determined to break the legs of all being crucified, God did not want His Son’s legs broken or the Passover Lamb type would not hold because He would not be “without defect” …
John 19:32
The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. From this verse we are able to discern that Pilate gave into their request and gave the order for the legs to be broken. We also know that both the thieves …
John 19:31
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The day of preparation was the Friday of Passover. According …