John 21

1After this Jesus revealed himself to the disciples once more, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened in this way. 2Simon Peter was there with Thomas (called Didymus, which means Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two more of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, “I am going out fishing.” They answered, “We will come with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but all that night they caught nothing.

4Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore, though the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5So Jesus called out to them, “Friends, you have no fish to eat, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6He said to them, “Throw the net out on the boat’s right side, and you will find fish.” So they threw it out, and now they could not haul it in because there were so many fish. 7Then that disciple whom Jesus loved told Peter, “It is the Lord!” Hearing that it was the Lord, Simon Peter tied his outer garment around himself, since he had stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8The other disciples came in the boat, towing the net full of fish. They were not far out, only about 100 yards from land.

9When they came ashore, they saw a charcoal fire already there, with fish laid on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. Even with so many, the net did not tear. 12Jesus said to them, “Come, eat your breakfast.” Not one of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish in the same way. 14This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he had been raised from the dead.

15After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Shepherd my sheep.” 17A third time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” Peter replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were younger you fastened your own belt and went wherever you wished. But when you have grown old, you will stretch out your hands, and then someone else will fasten a belt on you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19He said this to show by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

20Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the same disciple who at the supper had leaned back against Jesus’s chest and said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about him?” 22Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? As for you, follow me!” 23So the saying spread among the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told Peter that the disciple would not die; he had said, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” 24This is the disciple who is testifying about these things and who has written them, and we know his testimony is true. 25Jesus did many other things as well. If each one were written down, I suppose that even the world itself could not hold all the books that would be written.