(1) v.1 "After this"
In 20:30-31 all the miracles that led people to believe and have eternal life (justification) were recorded in the passage in the previous chapters. Why add the incident in chapter 21? It must not be related to justification. What then?
Some of the disciples were named, but some were not v.2. Among those who were named were Peter, Thomas and Nathanael. Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Thomas was the one who doubted what other disciples said about the first appearance of Jesus. Nathanael had a hard time believing in Jesus, but he did later. However, Jesus said he would see greater things 1:46-51.
It is possible that John wrote this chapter to solidify the faith for those who believe.
Reflection: After we believed in Jesus do you see how God continues to work in your life to draw you closer to Him? God did not stop when we believed and received eternal life. He is interested in having a continuous relationship with you. Do you?
Personally, I think of some things that just happened even before I prayed e.g. Mike was called by God to serve full time. Couple international students whom we served previously accepted Jesus after they left Twin City.
(2) 3 Deja-vu events (optional):
1. The miracle of catching a large sum of fish after a night of not being able to catch anything 21:3-6. Similar incident happened previously when Peter was called Luke 5:1-10. That might be the reason why John recognized it was the Lord right after they caught the fish 21:6-7.
2. The charcoal of fire 21:9. Peter denied Jesus 3 times and all 3 incidents happened in front of the fire 18:17-18, 25, 27. Jesus was about to restore Peter in the second half of chapter 21. He prophesied about Peter's denials and He knew how they happened. Yet He still wanted to restore Him.
3. The passing on of the bread and fish 21:13. It was similar to when Jesus fed the 5,000. The disciples helped to pass the fish and bread to others at that time to remind them that they could feed the other people when the source is Jesus (John 6).
(3) v.12 "But none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord"
(PNTC) But the [author] does not merely say they did not ask him, he says they dared not ask him (lit.) ‘knowing it was the Lord’... these disciples know it is the Lord, and yet are still so uneasy, so hesitant, so uncertain, that they apparently long to ask him, in effect, ‘Is it really you?’, yet dare not do so.
They were so joyful in the previous appearance of Jesus. Why was there a difference this time?
Instead of fishing what did they suppose to do? According to 20:21 they were sent by Jesus. Jesus had already reminded them about Who He is. Especially in the deja-vu with the miracle of feeding 5000. They were reminded about their mission. Are we ashamed when we think of how we failed to do what Jesus sent us out to do? Are we busy with our own lives instead of obeying His commission?
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