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John 21 Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee. Probably added by final Redactor in latest stage of growth. No evidence FG ever circulated without ch. 21. John 21 Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee. The Marvelous Catch of Fish (v. 1-14).
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John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee Probably added by final Redactor in latest stage of growth. No evidence FG ever circulated without ch. 21.
John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee • The Marvelous Catch of Fish (v. 1-14). • Tradition may have circulated independently as story of first post-resurrection appearance (similar to Lk. 5:1-11). • Seven disciples have returned to fishing; nets are empty. • At dawn, Jesus appears on shore; tells them to cast nets on right side; catch so many they can’t haul in the net. • “Beloved Disciple” tells Peter, “It is the Lord;” • Peter puts on clothes and jumps in the water. • Jesus serves breakfast of bread and fish cooked on charcoal fire.
John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee • The Marvelous Catch of Fish (v. 1-14). • Story is full of symbolism: • Echoes of Lord’s Supper (v. 12-13); in serving of meal they recognize Jesus (cf. Lk. 24:30-31). • Catch of fish symbolizes church’s mission (“haul” in v. 6, 11 is same word as “draw” in 12:32). • 153 fish (v. 11)– number of species; 1-17 added up; gematria for “children of God.” • Untorn net (v. 11)symbolizes unity of church (cf. one flock / one shepherd in 10:16).
John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee • Restoration, Mission, and Fate of Peter (v. 15-19). • Linked to “Peter’s Denial” by charcoal fire and 3-fold questioning. • Jesus: “Do you love me more than these?” • Peter: “Yes, Lord; you know I love you.” • Jesus: “Feed my lambs / tend my sheep / feed my sheep.” • Peter is rehabilitated and put to service. Tabgha, Harbor of St. Peter
John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee • Restoration, Mission, and Fate of Peter (v. 15-19). • Probably no significance in variety of words for “love.” • Twice Jesus asks agapaō and Peter responds phileō. • Third time Jesus asks phileō and Peter responds phileō. • Some think Jesus asks for higher agapē love, then settles for the ordinary philia love which Peter offers. • More likely there is no real significance in variation, since elsewhere FG uses the two words interchangeably. Tabgha, Harbor of St. Peter
John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee • Restoration, Mission, and Fate of Peter (v. 15-19). • Prediction that Peter will die a martyr’s death (v. 18-19). • “Stretch out your hands” alludes to tradition that Peter was crucified by Nero. • “Follow me” – discipleship involves following teaching and example of Jesus. Tabgha, Harbor of St. Peter
John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee • Fate of the “Beloved Disciple” (v. 20-23). • Peter sees BD “following” and asks, “What about him?” • Jesus: “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me.” • Implies that BD will not be a martyr but will live a long life. • Gave rise to rumor that BD would not die before Parousia. • Redactor clarifies that Jesus did not actually say that. • Probably indicates that BD had died by time of writing. • Rivalry between BD and Peter probably reflects rival segments of early Christianity which claimed them as authorities. Tabgha, Harbor of St. Peter
John 21Epilogue: Appearance by Sea of Galilee • Conclusion to the Gospel (v. 24-25). • Authority of FG rests on faithful testimony of “Beloved Disciple.” • Ch. 21 offers three images of the tasks of discipleship: • Fishing – the mission task. • Shepherding – the pastoral task. • Witnessing – the task of bearing witness through death or in faithful living.