Jesus
said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
John 21:12-14
John 21 [11.] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.
John 21 [12.] Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.”
None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21 [13.] Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”
Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. [18.] Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21 [20.] Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
Meaning:
The great catch of fish had been drawn to land, and a fire of coals with fish and bread was waiting on the shore (John 21:6-11). Now the risen Lord invites his tired disciples to eat. The scene is simple and quiet, yet full of meaning: Jesus serves his followers a meal, and they know beyond doubt that it is he.
- “Come and eat breakfast”
After a long night of fruitless work, the disciples were cold, wet and hungry. Jesus did not begin with a lesson or a rebuke. He began by feeding them. The Lord who had once washed their feet (John 13:5) now cooks for them. He had said, “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27), and “the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Even in his glorified state, he serves his people.
This invitation also recalls the deeper food he gives. In this same region he had declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry” (John 6:35). The breakfast meets their bodily need, but the host is the one who satisfies the hunger of the soul.
- “None of the disciples dared inquire of him”
There was something about the risen Jesus that made the disciples hesitate, yet they were certain. They knew it was the Lord. The words suggest awe rather than doubt. His appearance may have been different in some way, as with Mary Magdalene and the disciples on the road to Emmaus, but his actions made him known. On the road to Emmaus, too, he “took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:30-31).
- “Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise”
These words echo the feeding of the five thousand by the Sea of Galilee: “Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples … likewise also of the fish” (John 6:11). They also remind readers of the last supper, when “Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them” (Mark 14:22). The same hands that broke bread before his death now feed them after his resurrection.
Eating with them was also evidence that he was truly alive in a real body. Luke tells how he ate a piece of broiled fish before their eyes (Luke 24:42-43). Peter later preached that God gave him to be revealed “to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:41). Peter could say this because he had sat at this very breakfast.
- “This is now the third time”
John counts the appearances to the gathered disciples: first on the evening of the resurrection (John 20:19), then eight days later when Thomas was present (John 20:26), and now by the lake. Jesus appeared on other occasions too, to Mary Magdalene, to Peter alone and to the two travelling to Emmaus, and Paul lists many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5). John’s numbering confirms that the resurrection appearances were repeated and public, not a single fleeting vision.
The Significance of John 21:12-14
- Jesus cares for our everyday needs
The risen Lord made breakfast for hungry fishermen. He is not only concerned with spiritual matters; he cares for the bodies and daily needs of his people. We can bring our ordinary needs to him in prayer.
- Fellowship around the table
Meals with Jesus were moments of fellowship and restoration. Before he spoke to Peter about his failure, Jesus shared a meal with him. The risen Lord still offers fellowship: “I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
- Serving one another
If the risen Lord served his disciples, his followers should be willing to serve one another in humble, practical ways.
Cross-References:
John 6:11: "Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples," The earlier meal by the same lake.
Luke 24:30-31: "he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him," Recognized in the breaking of bread.
Acts 10:41: "to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." Peter’s testimony.
Revelation 3:20: "I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me." Fellowship with the risen Lord.
Conclusion: On the shore of Galilee the risen Jesus invited his disciples to breakfast, gave them bread and fish with his own hands, and left them in awe and certainty that it was the Lord. This third appearance to the disciples confirmed that he was truly alive. It shows a Saviour who serves his people, meets their daily needs and restores fellowship with them.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible