Lord’s Library contributor Lonetta Key wrote this concise commentary on the disciples fishing after the resurrection of Christ Scriptures in the Bible. Check out Lonetta’s blog: Living Before God’s Face. Lord’s Library’s Ministry Leaders Series is a collection of contributed articles written by ministry leaders on key Christian topics.
John 21 begins by introducing us to the third incident of the risen Jesus presenting Himself to His followers. But in verse 2 an intriguing narrative ensues: “There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.”
Keep in mind the Lord had already interacted in the flesh with His disciples. So they knew beyond any speculation that Christ had resurrected. But shortly thereafter, Peter very matter-of-factly announces he is going fishing. Editor’s note: See John 21:3: “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.”
And the other six disciples that were hanging out with him said, “Hey good idea. We are coming too.” So off they went. I have no idea what thoughts were thrashing around in their heads. Did they just figure the drama was over, life would return to being routine and it was now business as usual?
Disciples Fishing After the Resurrection of Christ
I can envision the seven men climbing into their boats—space they had shared with their Lord many times. But this time He was not there. Kind’ve makes me wonder if that reality crossed their minds. They became melancholy and allowed confusion and lack of understanding to run rampant. You may recall that the Lord had chided them on more than one occasion about their dull minds.
So they resort to the familiar where they felt they would find security and grounding. They put their trust in the horizontal instead of the vertical. Their recourse was to the earthly instead of the heavenly. Being fishermen again— treading mental and spiritual water. They were moving but making no progress toward the goals Christ was establishing for them. Had Peter forgotten how Jesus said to him in Matthew 4:19: “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
They had even seen Jesus twice with their physical eyes. See John 20:19-20, 26:
- John 20:19-20: “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.”
- John 20:26: “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.”
Yet they allowed that awesome revelation to dim.
Something very extraordinarily significant stands out in this scenario. Jesus came to them once again meeting them right where they were. He offered no words of chastisement or disappointment. Instead, He appeared with love, patience, and understanding. He even addressed them as children as He expressed concern over their lack of sustenance and prepared breakfast for them.
And when He showed up a miracle occurred—a magnificent catch of fish. See John 21:4-11: “But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.”
As far as we know they never went fishing again. They went from going backward to going forward because Jesus showed up.
Oh dearest friend, in unabridged honesty we all must admit that we have been tempted to return to fishing. Especially in seasons of feeling like God is far away and inaccessible—when we feel baffled and discouraged. Or when the Lord is leading us out of our “safe” territory. It can seem so reassuring to go back to what we know. We revert to the common—to what we perceive to be our comfort zone—instead of to the supernatural.
Take hope and be encouraged. If Jesus was patient with the seven in today’s focus who had traveled with Him for three years and were eyewitnesses to His resurrection, we can be confident of His longsuffering with our weaknesses. He comes to us no matter our situation.
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