While the other disciples struggled to get their catch to shore, Jesus was preparing breakfast for them. John noted that it was a charcoal fire (Gr. anthrakia) that Jesus had laid. The reader may remember that it was specifically a charcoal fire at which Peter had stood when he denied Jesus ( John 18:18). Jesus was setting the stage for a lesson He was about to teach the disciples and especially Peter. The traditional site of this event is Tabgha, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee between Capernaum and Gennesaret. [source][source][source]
Bread and fish were common staples, but again they recall earlier miracles that Jesus had performed. He had miraculously provided meals for5 ,000 and later4 ,000 males plus women and children with bread and fish. Notice that He had already provided some fish for them before the disciples got out of their boat and pulled the fish they had caught to shore. [source][source][source]
Before His crucifixion, Jesus had served His disciples by washing their feet ( John 13:1-17). Now He continued to serve them as their risen Lord by providing them with a warm fire and breakfast (cf. John 21:13). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 21:1-9 - The Miraculous Draught Of Fishes
It would almost seem as if the Apostles thought that the radiant vision of Christ was withdrawn forever; or did they think that they would glorify Him best, and be most likely to encounter Him, if they returned to the paths of ordinary toil? This miracle closely corresponds to that recorded in Luke 5:1-39, and proves that the methods of the risen Lord are not unlike those of His earthly ministry. Still He stands on the shore in the morning haze, to comfort the hearts of discouraged workers, telling them where to cast their net and revealing the certainty of His help. The eyes that love as John loved are the quickest to descry his presence. He thinks not only of our spoils, but of us, and provides for our sustenance and comfort-not bread only, but fish and a fire. Is not this a picture of the believer's death?-the plunge into the cold stream of dividing water; the welcome on the other shore; the discovery that Christ had expected and prepared; and the feast with the Lord Himself, as He girds Himself to minister. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 21
1Jesus appearing again to his disciples is known of them by the great catch of fish 12He dines with them; 15earnestly commands Peter to feed his lambs and sheep; 18foretells him of his death; 22rebukes his curiosity 24The conclusion
Greek Commentary for John 21:9
Got out [απεβησαν] As in Luke 5:2. They see Vivid historical present. A fire of coals See John 18:18 for this word. Cf. our “anthracite.” There Lying as placed, present middle participle of κειμαι keimai Fish As in John 6:9,John 6:11, like προσπαγιον prosphagion above. Laid thereon So broiling with bread ready (toast). [source]
They were come to land [ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν] Not of the arrival of the boat, but of the going ashore of the boatmen. Rev., therefore, correctly, they got out upon the land. [source]
Luke 3:14Wages [ὀψωνίοις] From ὄψον ,cooked meat, and later, generallyprovisions. At Athens, especially, fish. Compare ὀψάριον ,fish, John 21:9,John 21:10,John 21:13. Hence ὀψώνιον is primarily provision-money, and so used of supplies and pay for an army. With this understanding the use of the word at Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin,” becomes highly suggestive. [source]
Luke 5:1Pressed upon him [επικεισται] Luke in this paragraph (Luke 5:1-11; Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 4:18-22) does not follow the chronology of Mark as he usually does. It seems reasonably clear that the renewed call of the four fishermen came before the first tour of Galilee in Luke 4:42-44. It is here assumed that Luke is describing in his own way the incident given in Mark and Matthew above. Luke singles out Simon in a graphic way. This verb επικεισται epikeisthai is an old one and means to λιε υπον lie upon rest upon as of a stone on the tomb (John 11:38) or of fish on the burning coals (John 21:9). So it is used of a tempest (Acts 27:20) and of the urgent demands for Christ‘s crucifixion (Luke 23:23). Here it vividly pictures the eager crowds around Jesus. Εν τωι επικεισται En tōi epikeisthai is a favourite idiom with Luke as we have already seen, εν en with the articular infinitive in the locative case. [source]
John 6:9Fishes [ὀψάρια] The word occurs only here and at John 21:9. The Synoptists use ἰχθυές . The A.V., small fishes, is intended to render the diminutive. The word means anything that is eaten with bread, and may apply to meat generally, or to what is eaten with bread as a relish. Homer speaks of an onion as a relish ( ὄψον ) for drink (“Iliad,” 11,630). The term was applied to fish par excellence. Fish became among the Greeks a chief dainty to gourmands, so that Demosthenes describes a glutton and spendthrift as one who is extravagant in fish. [source]
John 18:18Fire of coals [ἀνθρακιὰν] Only here and John 21:9. Matthew does not mention the fire. Mark has τὸ φῶς , strictly, the light of the fire. Luke says they had kindled a fire ( πῦρ ). [source]
John 11:38Again groaning in himself [παλιν εμβριμωμενος εν εαυτωι] Direct reference to the use of this same word (present middle participle here) in John 11:33, only with εν εαυτωι en heautōi (in himself) rather than τωι πνευματι tōi pneumati (in his spirit), practically the same idea. The speculation concerning his power stirred the depths of his nature again. Cometh to the tomb Vivid historical present. A cave Old word (from σπεος speos cavern). Cf. Matthew 21:13. Lay against it Imperfect middle of επικειμαι epikeimai old verb to lie upon as in John 21:9 and figuratively (1 Corinthians 9:16). Note repetition of επι epi with locative case. The use of a cave for burial was common (Genesis 23:19). Either the body was let down through a horizontal opening (hardly so here) or put in a tomb cut in the face of the rock (if so, επι epi can mean “against”). The stones were used to keep away wild animals from the bodies. [source]
John 18:18A fire of coals [αντρακιαν] Old word, in lxx, only here and John 21:9 in N.T. A heap of burning coals Cf. our “anthracite.” It was cold “There was coldness.” The soldiers had apparently returned to their barracks. Were warming themselves Direct middle imperfect indicative of τερμαινω thermainō (from τερμος thermos). So as to τερμαινομενος thermainomenos about Peter. “Peter, unabashed by his lie, joined himself to the group and stood in the light of the fire” (Dods). [source]
John 6:9A lad here [παιδαριον ωδε] Old word, diminutive of παις pais here only in N.T., not genuine in Matthew 11:16. How he came to have this small supply we do not know. Barley Adjective, here and John 6:13 only in N.T., in the papyri, from κριτη krithē barley (Revelation 6:6). Considered an inferior sort of bread. Fishes Late diminutive of οπσον opson common in papyri and inscriptions for delicacies with bread like fish. In N.T. only here, John 6:11; John 21:9-13. Synoptics have ιχτυας ichthuas f0). [source]
What do the individual words in John 21:9 mean?
Whenthereforethey got outontothelandthey seea fire of coalslyingandfishlying on [it]bread
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἐπίκειμαι
Sense: to lie upon or over, rest upon, be laid or placed upon.
Greek Commentary for John 21:9
As in Luke 5:2. They see Vivid historical present. A fire of coals See John 18:18 for this word. Cf. our “anthracite.” There Lying as placed, present middle participle of κειμαι keimai Fish As in John 6:9, John 6:11, like προσπαγιον prosphagion above. Laid thereon So broiling with bread ready (toast). [source]
Not of the arrival of the boat, but of the going ashore of the boatmen. Rev., therefore, correctly, they got out upon the land. [source]
Charcoal. See John 18:18. [source]
See on John 6:9. [source]
Or, a loaf. See on Matthew 4:1; see on Matthew 7:9. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 21:9
From ὄψον ,cooked meat, and later, generallyprovisions. At Athens, especially, fish. Compare ὀψάριον ,fish, John 21:9, John 21:10, John 21:13. Hence ὀψώνιον is primarily provision-money, and so used of supplies and pay for an army. With this understanding the use of the word at Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin,” becomes highly suggestive. [source]
Luke in this paragraph (Luke 5:1-11; Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 4:18-22) does not follow the chronology of Mark as he usually does. It seems reasonably clear that the renewed call of the four fishermen came before the first tour of Galilee in Luke 4:42-44. It is here assumed that Luke is describing in his own way the incident given in Mark and Matthew above. Luke singles out Simon in a graphic way. This verb επικεισται epikeisthai is an old one and means to λιε υπον lie upon rest upon as of a stone on the tomb (John 11:38) or of fish on the burning coals (John 21:9). So it is used of a tempest (Acts 27:20) and of the urgent demands for Christ‘s crucifixion (Luke 23:23). Here it vividly pictures the eager crowds around Jesus. Εν τωι επικεισται En tōi epikeisthai is a favourite idiom with Luke as we have already seen, εν en with the articular infinitive in the locative case. [source]
The word occurs only here and at John 21:9. The Synoptists use ἰχθυές . The A.V., small fishes, is intended to render the diminutive. The word means anything that is eaten with bread, and may apply to meat generally, or to what is eaten with bread as a relish. Homer speaks of an onion as a relish ( ὄψον ) for drink (“Iliad,” 11,630). The term was applied to fish par excellence. Fish became among the Greeks a chief dainty to gourmands, so that Demosthenes describes a glutton and spendthrift as one who is extravagant in fish. [source]
As in John 21:9. Emphasizing the fish as food. [source]
Only here and John 21:9. Matthew does not mention the fire. Mark has τὸ φῶς , strictly, the light of the fire. Luke says they had kindled a fire ( πῦρ ). [source]
Direct reference to the use of this same word (present middle participle here) in John 11:33, only with εν εαυτωι en heautōi (in himself) rather than τωι πνευματι tōi pneumati (in his spirit), practically the same idea. The speculation concerning his power stirred the depths of his nature again. Cometh to the tomb Vivid historical present. A cave Old word (from σπεος speos cavern). Cf. Matthew 21:13. Lay against it Imperfect middle of επικειμαι epikeimai old verb to lie upon as in John 21:9 and figuratively (1 Corinthians 9:16). Note repetition of επι epi with locative case. The use of a cave for burial was common (Genesis 23:19). Either the body was let down through a horizontal opening (hardly so here) or put in a tomb cut in the face of the rock (if so, επι epi can mean “against”). The stones were used to keep away wild animals from the bodies. [source]
Old word, in lxx, only here and John 21:9 in N.T. A heap of burning coals Cf. our “anthracite.” It was cold “There was coldness.” The soldiers had apparently returned to their barracks. Were warming themselves Direct middle imperfect indicative of τερμαινω thermainō (from τερμος thermos). So as to τερμαινομενος thermainomenos about Peter. “Peter, unabashed by his lie, joined himself to the group and stood in the light of the fire” (Dods). [source]
Old word, diminutive of παις pais here only in N.T., not genuine in Matthew 11:16. How he came to have this small supply we do not know. Barley Adjective, here and John 6:13 only in N.T., in the papyri, from κριτη krithē barley (Revelation 6:6). Considered an inferior sort of bread. Fishes Late diminutive of οπσον opson common in papyri and inscriptions for delicacies with bread like fish. In N.T. only here, John 6:11; John 21:9-13. Synoptics have ιχτυας ichthuas f0). [source]