Peter proposes a fishing trip and it seems that it is completely spontaneous. The disciples were probably waiting in Galilee for the meeting with Jesus on the mountain (Matt 28:16) and they were going fishing just to bide the time, although there was probably an economic factor involved, too. This would have come quite naturally to Peter and most of the rest, for they were former fishermen. Although it is unlikely that they were giving up and going back to their old way of living as some think, since the resurrected Christ had given them specific directions as to where He would meet with them, now that they had arrived, they didn’t know what to do with themselves. They had an air of uncertainty about them “which contrasts sharply with their assured sense of purpose from the day of Pentecost on.” (Morris)

Matthew 28:16  Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

Christ had manifested Himself to the disciples when they were gathered together that first resurrection Sunday to hide from the Jews and seek comfort from each other, and then again the following Sunday when they were perhaps waiting for Him to appear. Now He is about to come when they are working, probably on a weekday. Jesus makes Himself known to us at various times, some expected and others not. He can even reveal Himself to us while we are at work! (Luke 2:8-9) Don’t expect Jesus to just show up in your life when you are doing religious things or even just when you are seeking Him; He will show up whenever and however He wants, and that is often exactly when you expect Him least.

Luke 2:8-9  And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

They fished all night, which was the custom on the Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:5). The water was very clear and fishing with nets was easier at night because the fish could not see the net coming. They caught nothing though they fished the whole night. Life sometimes hands out rewards and sometimes it doesn’t, but Christ always provides abundantly for His own. Note that for the very reason that they caught absolutely nothing, the miracle the next day was made all the more wonderful. Has God ever worked this way in your life? Perhaps you are even now in the middle of a night of fruitless fishing but remember, morning is coming!!

Luke 5:5  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

John refers to 3 different Passovers celebrated during the ministry of Jesus  (John 2:23, 6:4, 11:55). Thus the ministry of Jesus was at a minimum 2 years in length.  The Law required all males to go to Jerusalem to the Temple for the Passover, but not all did. Deut 16:16

John 2:23  Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.

John 6:4  The Jewish Passover Feast was near.

John 11:55  When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 

Deut 16:16  Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: