John 21:11 kjv
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.
John 21:11 nkjv
Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
John 21:11 niv
So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
John 21:11 esv
So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
John 21:11 nlt
So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn't torn.
John 21 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 21:6 | "...Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." | Fulfillment of Jesus' specific instruction |
| Luke 5:4-6 | "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught of fishes." | Similar miraculous catch showing Jesus' authority |
| John 2:1-11 | Jesus turns water into wine, first miracle. | Demonstrates divine power over physical nature |
| Matthew 4:18-22 | Jesus calls fishermen, they leave nets and follow. | Calling to discipleship and service |
| Mark 1:17 | "And Jesus said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." | The new commission tied to "fish" imagery |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit..." | Jesus as the source of all productive effort |
| John 6:1-13 | Feeding of the five thousand with loaves and fishes. | Jesus' provision for needs with few resources |
| Acts 2:41 | "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." | Spiritually bringing souls into the Kingdom |
| Romans 10:14-15 | "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" | The proclamation of the Gospel leading to souls |
| Jeremiah 16:16 | "Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." | Prophecy of bringing people from dispersion |
| Psalm 22:27 | "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee." | The universal scope of God's salvation |
| 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 | "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." | God is the one who brings spiritual increase |
| Matthew 13:47-48 | "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind..." | The Kingdom gathering diverse people |
| Acts 1:8 | "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." | The Great Commission with emphasis on fruitfulness |
| Zechariah 9:10 | "And I will speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth." | Dominion of Christ extending far and wide |
| Matthew 28:18-20 | "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..." | The final commission, confirming authority |
| John 1:29 | "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." | Jesus' ultimate work is to save |
| 1 Peter 2:2 | "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby..." | Nourishment for spiritual growth |
| Revelation 7:9 | "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb..." | The final ingathering of redeemed souls |
| Genesis 1:28 | "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion..." | The original command to be fruitful |
| Exodus 14:27-28 | Pharaoh's chariots drowned in the Red Sea. | God's power displayed against opposition |
John 21 verses
John 21 11 Meaning
The verse highlights the immense catch of fish that miraculously appeared in the Sea of Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee), corroborating Jesus' presence and divine power. It signifies the disciples' renewed faith and understanding of Jesus' resurrection, impacting their obedience and efforts. The large number of fish, precisely 153, points to a divinely ordained provision and a profound spiritual reality beyond human explanation.
John 21 11 Context
This verse appears at the end of John's Gospel, following the resurrection appearances of Jesus. The disciples, including Peter, have returned to their former life as fishermen after Jesus' crucifixion, seemingly without clear direction. Jesus appears to them while they are fishing and initiates a meal. The question then arises about the specific significance of the number 153. This event is a restoration of Peter to discipleship and ministry after his denial, and a reaffirmation of their calling as "fishers of men." The context emphasizes Jesus' continued presence and provision for His followers, even after His earthly ministry concluded. The disciples are exhausted from fishing all night with no success, setting the stage for a dramatic divine intervention.
John 21 11 Word analysis
- "He therefore said unto Simon Peter": Jesus directly addresses Simon Peter, marking a pivotal moment of personal restoration and commission.
- He: Refers to Jesus, emphasizing His divine authority and initiative.
- therefore: Connects this action to the preceding events and discussions, highlighting the appropriateness of Jesus' word in this situation.
- said: The act of speaking, conveying command and instruction.
- unto Simon Peter: Direct and personal address.
- "Launch out into the deep": An imperative command, calling for faith and venturing into the unknown, a place where significant results are often found.
- Launch out: To cast, throw, or set forth. Suggests a deliberate and extensive effort.
- into the deep: Not just the shore but into deeper waters, symbolizing venturing beyond comfort zones and natural limitations, towards areas where abundance is often found but requires courage.
- "and let down your nets": Instruction to cast the fishing nets.
- let down: To lower, cast. The focus is on the act of casting the net.
- your nets: The tools of their trade, now to be used according to Jesus' specific instruction.
- "for a draught": With the intention of catching.
- draught: A catch, haul, or as much as can be taken at one time. Emphasizes a substantial capture.
- "of fishes.": The object of their effort.
- fishes: The literal catch, representing both physical sustenance and the symbolic ingathering of people.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught of fishes": This entire phrase is a command encapsulating faith-filled obedience. It contrasts their previous fruitless night with the potential of obedience under divine direction. It’s about acting according to Jesus' word, not human logic or past experience. The emphasis on "the deep" suggests going beyond the obvious or expected.
John 21 11 Bonus section
The specific number, 153, has been interpreted in various ways:
- Some scholars suggest it represents all the nations of the world, drawing parallels to the enumeration of nations known in the ancient world.
- A popular interpretation relates it to the sum of numbers from 1 to 17 (1+2+...+17 = 153). In Hellenistic culture, numerology was common, and some believe 17 was associated with salvation or completeness.
- Others link it to early Greek terms related to fish or fishermen, such as ichthys (fish), or to the concept of a net gathering all kinds of fish.
- From a theological standpoint, it underscores God’s perfect order and providence in His works, highlighting that even a miracle is precisely measured and purposed. It signifies a harvest so abundant that it could not be contained by the disciples’ nets or boat alone, pointing to the limitless capacity of God’s Kingdom and the harvest of souls. The "great multitude, which no man could number" in Revelation 7:9 is the ultimate fulfillment of this symbolic "draught."
John 21 11 Commentary
This moment marks Jesus' powerful recommissioning of Peter, who had recently denied Him. By issuing a specific instruction that leads to an overwhelming success, Jesus restores Peter's confidence and ministry. The immense catch, precisely 153 large fish, is not mere coincidence but a divine confirmation. This event foreshadows the disciples' future work of "fishing for men," symbolizing the evangelization of nations. The number 153 itself has been a subject of much interpretation, with many seeing it as symbolic of the full extent of God's redeemed people. It’s a profound reminder that obedience to Christ, even when seemingly contrary to natural reasoning, yields extraordinary results through His power.