The Meaning of John 21:14 Explained

John 21:14

KJV: This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

YLT: this is now a third time Jesus was manifested to his disciples, having been raised from the dead.

Darby: This is already the third time that Jesus had been manifested to the disciples, being risen from among the dead.

ASV: This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

This  is  now  the third time  that Jesus  shewed himself  to his  disciples,  after that he was risen  from  the dead. 

What does John 21:14 Mean?

Verse Meaning

John concluded the narration of this incident by identifying it as the third instance of Jesus" self-manifestation to His disciples after His resurrection. This verse forms an inclusio with John 21:1 that sets this incident off as distinct.
John said that this was the third post-resurrection appearance "to the disciples" (i.e, the apostles, cf. John 20:19-23; John 20:26-29). Chronologically this was at least Jesus" seventh post-resurrection appearance (cf. John 20:11-18; Matthew 28:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:13-32; John 20:19-23; John 20:26-29). Nevertheless it was the third appearance to the disciples, and the third appearance to the disciples that John recorded.
John viewed this appearance as further proof of Jesus" resurrection. Perhaps he viewed it as completing a full compliment of testimonies since he drew attention to its being the third appearance to the disciples. The number three in Scripture sometimes connotes fullness or completeness (e.g, the three Persons of the Trinity). However by calling this appearance a "manifestation" (Gr. ephanerothe, cf. John 21:1) John indicated that he also viewed it as a revelation of Jesus" true character.
So far Jesus had reminded these disciples of lessons that He had taught them previously that were important for them to remember in view of their mission. He had also set the stage for an even more important lesson that would follow.

Context Summary

John 21:10-19 - "lovest Thou Me?"
Christ thrice questioned Peter's love, thus giving him the opportunity of canceling his threefold denial. There are two Greek words for "love." In His questions our Lord chose the higher, while Peter in his replies humbly chose the lower till in His third question our Lord came down to his level. Christ forecasted the hatred and opposition of the world, and suggested to Peter and the rest that the only way to combat and overcome was in the fervent love that they had for Him. Only this could give them the necessary tenderness and delicacy in leading and feeding the flock. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 21

1  Jesus appearing again to his disciples is known of them by the great catch of fish
12  He dines with them;
15  earnestly commands Peter to feed his lambs and sheep;
18  foretells him of his death;
22  rebukes his curiosity
24  The conclusion

Greek Commentary for John 21:14

Now the third time [το ηδη τριτον]
“To the disciples” (apostles) John says, the two others being told by him (John 20:19, John 20:26) on the two Sunday evenings. There were four other appearances already (to Mary Magdalene, to the group of women, to the two on the way to Emmaus, to Peter). [source]
The third time []
The two former occasions being recorded in John 20:19, John 20:26. The appearance to Mary Magdalene is not counted, because the Evangelist expressly says to His disciples. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 21:14

John 21:1 Manifested himself [επανεροσεν εαυτον]
First aorist active indicative of πανεροω — phaneroō with the reflexive pronoun (cf. John 7:4; John 13:4). For the passive see John 1:31; John 21:14. Jesus was only seen during the forty days now and then (Acts 1:3), ten instances being recorded. The word πανεροω — phaneroō is often used of Christ on earth (John 1:31; John 2:11; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 1:2), of his works (John 3:5), of the second coming (1 John 2:28), of Christ in glory (Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2). At By or upon. Of Tiberias As in John 6:1 instead of the usual “Sea of Galilee.” Tiberias, the capital city of Galilee, gave this epithet to the Sea of Galilee. This is not the appearance in Galilee prearranged by Jesus (Mark 16:7; Matthew 28:7, Matthew 28:16). [source]
1 Corinthians 15:5 And that he appeared to Cephas [και οτι ωπτη Κηπαι]
First aorist passive indicative of the defective verb οραω — horaō to see. Paul means not a mere “vision,” but actual appearance. John uses επανερωτη — ephanerōthē (John 21:14) from πανεροω — phaneroō to make manifest, of Christ‘s appearance to the seven by the Sea of Galilee. Peter was listed first Jesus had sent a special message to him (Mark 16:7) after his resurrection. This special appearance to Peter is made the determining factor in the joyful faith of the disciples (Luke 24:34), though mentioned incidentally here. Paul had told all these four facts to the Corinthians in his preaching. He gives further proof of the fact of Christ‘s resurrection. There are ten appearances given besides the one to Paul. Nine are in the Gospels (Mary Magdalene in John and Mark, the other women in Matthew, the two going to Emmaus in Luke, Simon Peter in Luke and I Corinthians, the ten apostles and others in Luke and John and Mark, the eleven and others in John, the seven by the sea in John, to over five hundred in Galilee in Matthew and Paul and Mark, to the apostles in Jerusalem in Luke and Mark and Acts and I Corinthians) and one in I Corinthians above (to James). It will be seen that Paul mentions only five of the ten, one, that to James, not given elsewhere. What he gives is conclusive evidence of the fact, particularly when Revelation-enforced by his own experience (the sixth appearance mentioned by Paul). The way to prove this great fact is to start with Paul‘s own witness given in this undoubted Epistle. The natural way to understand Paul‘s adverbs of time here is chronological: then (ειτα — eita), then (επειτα — epeita), then (επειτα — epeita), then (ειτα — eita), last of all (εσχατον παντων — eschaton pantōn). [source]
1 John 3:5 Was manifested []
See on John 21:1. Including Christ's whole life on earth and its consequences. The idea of manifestation here assumes the fact of a previous being. John various terms to describe the incarnation. He conceives it with reference to the Father, as a sending, a mission. Hence ὁ πέμψας με Hethat sent me (John 4:34; John 6:38; John 9:4; John 12:44, etc.): ὁ πέμψας με πατήρ theFather that sent me (John 5:37; John 8:18; John 12:49, etc.): with the verb ἀποστέλλω tosend as an envoy, with a commission; God sent ( ἀπέστειλεν ) His Son (John 3:17; John 10:36; 1 John 4:10; compare John 6:57; John 7:29; John 17:18). With reference to the Son, as a coming, regarded as a historic fact and as an abiding fact. As a historic event, He came ( ἧλθεν , John 1:11); this is He that came ( ὁ ἐλθὼν , 1 John 5:6). Came forth ( ἐξῆλθον ; John 8:42; John 16:27, John 16:28; John 17:8). As something abiding in its effects, am come, hath come, is come, marked by the perfect tense: Light is come ( ἐλήλυθεν , John 3:19). Jesus Christ is come ( ἐληλυθότα , 1 John 4:2). Compare John 5:43; John 12:46; John 18:37). In two instances with ἥκω Iam come, John 8:42; 1 John 5:20. Or with the present tense, as describing a coming realized at the moment: whence I come ( ἔρχομαι , John 8:14); compare John 14:3, John 14:18, John 14:28; also Jesus Christ coming ( ἐρχόμενον , 2 John 1:7). With reference to the form: in flesh ( σάρξ ). See John 1:14; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7. With reference to men, Christ was manifested (1 John 1:2; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:8; John 1:31; John 21:1, John 21:14).|To take away ( ἵνα ἄρῃ )|See on John 1:29.|Our sins ( τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν )|Omit ἡυῶν ourCompare John 1:29, τὴν ἁμαρτίαν , the sin. The plural here regards all that is contained in the inclusive term the sin: all manifestations or realizations of sin.|In Him is no sin ( ἁμαρτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν )|Lit., in Him sin is not. He is essentially and forever without sin. Compare John 7:18.| [source]
Revelation 22:8 Had heard and seen [ἤκουσα καὶ ἔβλεψα]
Aorist tense. There is no need of rendering it as a pluperfect. Rev., rightly, I heard and saw. The appeal to hearing and seeing is common to all John's writings. See John 1:14; John 19:35; John 21:14; 1 John 1:1, 1 John 1:2; 1 John 4:14. [source]

What do the individual words in John 21:14 mean?

This [is] now the third time was revealed - Jesus to the disciples having been raised out from [the] dead
Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ‹ὁ› Ἰησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν

Τοῦτο  This  [is] 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἤδη  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἤδη  
Sense: now, already.
τρίτον  the  third  time 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τρίτον 
Sense: the third.
ἐφανερώθη  was  revealed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: φανερόω  
Sense: to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way.
‹ὁ›  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦς  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μαθηταῖς  disciples 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.
ἐγερθεὶς  having  been  raised 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐγείρω  
Sense: to arouse, cause to rise.
ἐκ  out  from 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
νεκρῶν  [the]  dead 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: νεκρός  
Sense: properly.

What are the major concepts related to John 21:14?

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