John 21 12

John 21:12 kjv

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

John 21:12 nkjv

Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"?knowing that it was the Lord.

John 21:12 niv

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

John 21:12 esv

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

John 21:12 nlt

"Now come and have some breakfast!" Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

John 21 verses

John 21 12 Meaning

John 21:12 presents a pivotal moment after the miraculous catch of fish on the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus, already preparing a fire with fish and bread, invites the physically exhausted disciples to come and eat. Despite their internal recognition and certainty that it was the Lord, a deep sense of reverence, awe, and perhaps a lingering question about the specific form of His post-resurrection presence prevented any of them from audibly asking, "Who are You?" They knew, yet did not dare to verbalize their unspoken inquiry.

John 21 12 Context

John 21 records Jesus' third post-resurrection appearance to His disciples, specifically to seven of them, near the Sea of Tiberias. Having returned to their former livelihood of fishing, they toiled fruitlessly through the night. Just as in their initial call (Luke 5), Jesus orchestrates a miraculous catch, revealing Himself in a moment of great need. The atmosphere is one of transition, from despair and old routines back to the presence of the resurrected Lord. Peter, impulsively, dives into the water to reach Jesus, highlighting his unique connection and forthcoming restoration. The meal itself is an intimate moment of fellowship and sustenance provided by the Lord, bridging their past work with their renewed commission. Historically, eating together in ancient Near Eastern culture signified fellowship, reconciliation, and often the cementing of a covenant, setting the stage for the important conversation that follows with Peter. The immediate context preceding this verse is Jesus' silent appearance and preparation of a meal (fish and bread) for His exhausted disciples.

John 21 12 Word analysis

• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The familiar name, yet here belonging to the resurrected one, a person who is the same yet subtly changed, embodying divine authority.

• said (λέγει - legei): Present tense, indicating immediate and direct speech, a command and invitation from the one who is master of the scene.

• to them: Refers to the seven disciples present: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two unnamed disciples (Jn 21:2).

• ‘Come (Δεῦτε - Deute):’ An imperative of invitation. It is both a loving beckoning to fellowship and an authoritative call to move.

• and have breakfast (ἀριστήσατε - aristesate): This specifically refers to the first meal of the day, eaten after a night's work or fast. It's a practical provision, yet laden with symbolic significance of new life and sustenance.

• But none of the disciples: Emphasizes the universal reaction among them, not just one individual's hesitancy, suggesting a collective awe.

• dared (ἐτόλμα - etolma): From τολμάω (tolmao), meaning "to have courage, to be bold enough, to presume." Their inaction stems not from doubt in recognizing Him, but from an overwhelming reverence that prohibited direct inquiry.

• to ask Him (ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτόν - erōtēsai auton): The act of questioning or inquiring, which they refrain from.

• ‘Who are You?’ (Σὺ τίς εἶ; - Sy tis ei?): A direct personal question. The very identity they internally knew but were reluctant to voice, perhaps sensing the impropriety or redundancy of it in His presence.

• —knowing (εἰδότες - eidotes): Perfect participle, meaning "having known, being aware, certainly aware." This confirms their established and confident understanding of His identity.

• that it was the Lord (ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν - hoti ho Kyrios estin): "The Lord" (ὁ Κύριος - ho Kyrios) is a definite, majestic title, affirming His divine status and authority, especially profound in the post-resurrection context.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.'": This phrase portrays Jesus as a compassionate and sovereign host. He sees their need (tiredness, hunger after a fruitless night) and directly addresses it. The invitation to "come" signals intimacy and restored communion. "Have breakfast" signifies a practical, grounded reality of the resurrected Christ who still shares meals and life with His followers.
  • "But none of the disciples dared to ask Him, 'Who are You?'": This highlights a profound paradox. On one hand, an undeniable recognition; on the other, an unexpressed query. Their awe and reverence were so immense that despite their familiarity, they dared not challenge the silent majesty of the resurrected Lord with an explicit question. It reveals the unique tension of intimacy with the divine.
  • "—knowing that it was the Lord.": This clause resolves the paradox. Their silence was not due to doubt but to an overpowering certainty. The title "the Lord" confirms His resurrected status, power, and identity, rendering any verbal questioning redundant and potentially disrespectful in their perception.

John 21 12 Bonus section

The scene highlights the ongoing process of the disciples coming to terms with the physical and spiritual reality of the resurrected Christ. His physical body was present and able to eat, challenging any notion of a mere spiritual apparition (a polemic against nascent Gnostic ideas). The simplicity of "Come and have breakfast" contrasts with the majesty implied by "the Lord," showcasing Jesus' humility in leadership and His enduring care for His disciples. This encounter also sets a crucial precedent for believers: intimate fellowship with Jesus does not diminish His Lordship but deepens our reverent awe and knowing certainty of His identity. The entire encounter here on the seashore, particularly this meal, foreshadows the Great Commission and Peter's personal restoration that immediately follows, demonstrating Jesus' commitment to both individuals and His ongoing kingdom mission.

John 21 12 Commentary

John 21:12 offers a profound insight into the post-resurrection experience of Jesus' disciples. Faced with their risen Lord, an unusual combination of recognition and reverent awe gripped them. Jesus initiates fellowship by providing a meal, mirroring His role as the ultimate provider and sustainer. His invitation to "come and have breakfast" is not just about physical nourishment; it's a symbolic re-gathering and a renewal of their bond after Peter's denial and their collective dispersion. The disciples' silent reticence to ask "Who are You?" despite "knowing that it was the Lord" speaks volumes. It wasn't uncertainty of His identity, as seen in previous appearances (e.g., Doubting Thomas). Rather, it reflects the overwhelming sacredness and divine mystery surrounding the resurrected Christ. Their human limitations in fully grasping His glorified state resulted in an inexpressible awe that made verbal questioning seem unnecessary or perhaps too audacious. This verse teaches us that even in our most intimate moments of fellowship with Christ, a deep reverence for His divine nature remains, recognizing His identity as "the Lord" with unwavering certainty yet also with holy wonder.