< John 21 >
1 After that, Jesus showed himself to [us] disciples when we were at Tiberias Lake, [which is another name for Galilee Lake]. This is what happened:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas who was called {whom [we] called} The Twin, Nathaniel from Cana [town] in Galilee, my older brother and I, and two other disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to us, “[I] am going to [try to] catch some fish.” We said, “We will go with you.” So we went down [to the lake] and got into the boat. But that night we caught nothing.
4 Early the next morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but we did not know that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to us, “My friends, you have not [caught] any fish, have you?” We answered, “You are correct, [we have not caught any].”
6 He said to us, “Throw your net out from the right-hand side of the boat! Then you will find some!” We did that, and we caught so many fish [in the net] that we were unable to pull the net into [the boat]!
7 [But I knew that it was Jesus], [so] I said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Peter had taken off his cloak [while he was working], but as soon as he heard [me say] “It is the Lord!” he wrapped his cloak around himself and jumped into the water [and swam to shore].
8 The rest of us came [to the shore] in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. We were not far from shore, only about 100 yards/meters.
9 When [we] got to the shore, we saw that there was a fire of burning coals there, with a [large] fish on the fire, and [some] buns.
10 Jesus said to us, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught!”
11 Simon Peter got in [the boat] and dragged the net to the shore. It was full of large fish. There were 153 of them! But in spite of there being so many fish, the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to us, “Come and eat some breakfast!” None of us dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because we knew that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus took the buns and gave them to us. He did the same with the fish.
14 That was the third time that Jesus appeared to [us] disciples after [God] caused him to become alive again after he died.
15 When we had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “John’s [son] Simon, do you love me more than these [other disciples do]?” Peter said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me (OR, that I love you).” Jesus said, “Give to [those who belong to] me [what they need spiritually, like] [MET] [a shepherd provides] food for his lambs.”
16 Jesus said to him again, “John’s [son] Simon, do you love me?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me (OR, that I love you).” Jesus said to him, “Take care of [those who belong to] me, [like] [MET] a [shepherd takes care of his] sheep.”
17 Jesus said to him a third time, “John’s son Simon, am I really dear to you (OR, do you really love me)?” Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him this three times, [and because the third time he changed the question]. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that you are dear to me (OR, that I love you).” Jesus said, “Give to [those who belong to] me [what they need spiritually, as] [MET] [a shepherd provides] food for [his] sheep.
18 Now listen to this carefully: When you were young, you put your clothes on by yourself, and you went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your arms, and someone will fasten them [with a rope] and will lead you to a place where you do not want to [go].”
19 Jesus said this to indicate how Peter would die ([violently/on a cross]) in order to honor God. Then Jesus said to him, “Keep being my faithful disciple [until you die].”
20 Peter turned around and saw that I was following them. I was the one who leaned close to Jesus during the [Passover] meal and said, “Lord, who is going to enable your enemies to seize you?”
21 When Peter saw me, he asked, “Lord, what [is going to happen] to him?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain [alive] until I return, (that is not your concern!/what is that to you?) [RHQ] You be my [faithful] disciple!”
23 Some of the other believers heard [a report of] what Jesus had said about me, and [they thought that Jesus meant] that I would not die. But Jesus did not say that I would not die. He said only, “If I want him to remain [alive] until I return, (that is not your concern!/what is that to you?) [RHQ]”
24 [I, John], am the disciple who has seen all these things and I have written them down. My [fellow apostles] and I know that what [I have written] is true.
25 Jesus did many other things. If they would [all] be written {If people would write them [all]} down [in detail], I suppose that the whole world would not have enough space [HYP] to contain the books that would be written {that they would write} [about what he did].
