The Good News by John 21

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The Miracle of Many Fish

1 After that, Isa revealed himself to the disciples another time. This was on the shore of Lake Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, the two sons of Zebedee,* and two other disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I'm going fishing.” They said to him, “We'll go with you.” So they went out and boarded the boat, but they didn't catch a thing that night.

4 At dawn, Isa stood on the shore, but the disciples didn't realize that it was Isa. 5 He said to them, “Boys! Have you got [any] fish?” They answered, “No.” 6 Then he said to them, “Throw the net to the right [side] of the boat, and you'll find fish.” So they threw it, and they were unable to pull it out, because of the large number of fish [in it]. 7 The disciple whom Isa loved said to Peter, “It's the Master.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Master, he covered himself* with his robe, since he had taken it off, and jumped* into the water. 8 The rest of the disciples came in the boat while pulling the net with the fish in it, because they were not far from the shore, only about a hundred meters [away]. 9 When they got out of the boat onto the shore, they found a charcoal fire with fish on it, and [some] bread.

10 Isa said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up to the boat and pulled the net to land. It was filled with one hundred and fifty-three big fish, and yet it was not torn by this huge number. 12 Isa said to them, “Come have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew that it was the Master. 13 Isa came forward, took the bread and gave them [some], and [he did] the same with the fish. 14 This was the third time Isa appeared to his disciples after his resurrection from death.

Isa Encourages Peter

15 After they ate, Isa said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than those others love me?” He said to him, “Yes Master, you know that I love you.” [Isa] said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 And he said to him again, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered him, “Yes Master, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep.”* 17 Then he said to him a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad because he said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” He answered him, “Master, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Isa said to him, “Feed my sheep.

18 I tell you the truth, when you were young, you would put your clothes on by yourself and would go where you wanted, but when you become an old [man], you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put your clothes on you and will take you where you don't want [to go].” 19 By saying this, Isa indicated the way Peter was going to die* and that through it Allah would be glorified. Then he said to him, “Follow me.”

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Isa loved following them — the disciple who had leaned against the chest of Isa during the supper and had said to him, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Isa, “Master, [what about] this one: What will happen to him?” 22 Isa said to him, “If I want him to remain until I return, that doesn't concern you. As for you, follow me.” 23 Then the word spread among the brothers* that this disciple wouldn't die; however, Isa didn't say that he wouldn't die, but rather, “If I want him to remain until I return, that doesn't concern you.”

24 This disciple is the one testifying about these things; he has written them down here, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Isa did many other things. Had each one of them been written down, I don't think the world itself could accommodate the books that would contain them.

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Definitions

 *21:7 covered himself: This probably means that Peter wrapped his outer garment around his waist so that he could swim with it and then put it on when he got to the shore.

 *21:7 jumped into the water: Or threw himself into the water.

 *21:16 Shepherd my sheep: in other words, take care of my followers. In John 15:11-15, Isa described his relationship to his followers as that of a good shepherd who knows his sheep and cares for them, even to the point of dying for them. Here Isa is telling Peter to care for his followers as well.

 *21:19 Isa is indicating that Peter will honor Allah by being crucified as a martyr to his faith.

 *21:23 the brothers: This is a reference to the followers of Isa the Messiah.