John 21:2 kjv
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.
John 21:2 nkjv
Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
John 21:2 niv
Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
John 21:2 esv
Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
John 21:2 nlt
Several of the disciples were there ? Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
John 21 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 4:18-20 | While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew... | Calling of Peter as a "fisher of men" |
| Lk 5:10-11 | And so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” | Initial miraculous catch of fish & call to discipleship |
| Matt 16:16-19 | Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him... | Peter's confession and Jesus' words about building His church |
| Matt 26:69-75 | Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him... | Peter's denial of Jesus, highlighting his fall |
| Jn 20:24-29 | Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. | Thomas's doubt and subsequent confession of Jesus' deity |
| Jn 1:45-49 | Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him... Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” | Nathanael's calling and initial skepticism |
| Mk 3:17 | James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); | James and John's nickname "Sons of Thunder" |
| Mk 10:35-45 | And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” | James and John's request for prominent places in the Kingdom |
| Mk 5:37 | He allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. | Peter, James, and John form Jesus' inner circle |
| Mk 9:2 | And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain... | Inner circle at the Transfiguration |
| Mk 14:33 | And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. | Inner circle in Gethsemane |
| Acts 1:3 | He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. | Jesus' post-resurrection appearances |
| Acts 1:13-14 | And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas... All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer... | Disciples gathered together post-resurrection and pre-Pentecost |
| Acts 2:1 | When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. | Disciples united for a significant spiritual event |
| Acts 2:42 | And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. | Early church devoted to community and teaching |
| Psa 133:1 | Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! | The blessing of believers being "together" |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ... | Believers as one body, different members working together |
| Heb 10:25 | not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another... | Encouragement for believers to assemble |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you... | Importance of unity among believers |
| Mt 28:16 | Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. | Disciples gathered in Galilee for Jesus' instructions |
| Isa 6:8 | And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” | Readiness to serve after an encounter with the divine |
| Ezra 1:5 | Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirit God had stirred... | Readiness to respond to God's calling |
John 21 verses
John 21 2 Meaning
John 21:2 introduces a specific group of seven disciples of Jesus who were gathered by the Sea of Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee) shortly after His resurrection. This assembly of disciples—Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the two sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two unnamed disciples—sets the scene for a significant post-resurrection encounter with Jesus, highlighting their return to familiar territory (fishing) and their readiness for new direction from the Risen Lord. The verse serves to identify key individuals and establish the setting for the events that follow, emphasizing the communal aspect of discipleship even amidst uncertainty.
John 21 2 Context
John 21:2 takes place after the first few resurrection appearances of Jesus. Specifically, it follows Jesus's appearance to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:11-18), to the disciples in the locked room without Thomas (Jn 20:19-23), and then to all the disciples, including Thomas, a week later (Jn 20:26-29). The setting is the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), which was familiar territory for most of these disciples as their original home and fishing ground.
Historically, after Jesus' crucifixion and initial appearances, the disciples were in a transitional and perhaps uncertain period. They knew Jesus had risen, but the full implications of their future mission were not yet clear. Peter, having denied Jesus three times, was likely wrestling with his past failures and his future role. Returning to their former occupation of fishing indicates a temporary holding pattern, a familiar rhythm in the face of momentous and bewildering recent events. This scene sets the stage for Jesus' third recorded post-resurrection appearance to the disciples, during which He provides specific instructions, a miraculous catch, and Peter's restoration, effectively calling them back to their mission of being "fishers of men."
John 21 2 Word analysis
- Simon Peter: Greek Simōn Petros. Simon means "he who hears." Peter means "rock" or "stone" (petros). He is consistently prominent, signifying his leadership role, despite his recent denials. His presence underscores that Jesus' grace extends to those who have failed, preparing the ground for his restoration in later verses.
- Thomas (called Didymus): Greek Thomas ho legomenos Didymos. "Thomas" is from Aramaic meaning "twin," and "Didymus" is its Greek equivalent. This dual naming emphasizes his unique identity, well-known to the readers. His inclusion here highlights his transition from profound doubt in John 20:24-29 to being fully present with the other believers.
- Nathanael of Cana in Galilee: Nathanael (meaning "God has given" or "gift of God") is uniquely identified with Cana in Galilee. He was one of Jesus' first disciples (Jn 1:45-51) and famously skeptical of anything good coming from Nazareth, only to be overwhelmed by Jesus' divine knowledge of him. His inclusion expands the named group beyond the immediate Twelve, potentially emphasizing a broader base of trusted followers.
- the sons of Zebedee: Greek hoi tou Zebedaiou, literally "those of Zebedee." This refers to James and John. They were part of Jesus' inner circle (along with Peter), nicknamed "Sons of Thunder" by Jesus (Mk 3:17) and had previously sought places of honor (Mk 10:35-45). Their presence, alongside Peter, signals the continued importance of this core group.
- and two other of his disciples: Greek kai alloi ek tōn mathētōn autou duo, meaning "and others from his disciples, two." The anonymity of these two highlights the primary focus on the five named disciples while also indicating that the gathering included a wider group of followers. It implies that Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances were not exclusive to the most prominent apostles and may signify any faithful follower, allowing readers to identify with them.
- were together: Greek ēsmen homou. This phrase signifies their unity and shared purpose in gathering. It suggests a bond forged through their discipleship with Jesus and their current shared state of waiting or uncertainty after the resurrection. This communal gathering forms the essential foundation for Jesus' subsequent teaching and commissioning.
John 21 2 Bonus section
The number seven (seven disciples listed: Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two unnamed) is highly symbolic in biblical numerology, often representing completeness, perfection, or fullness. Their being "together" emphasizes a unity that transcends their individual personalities and past actions (like Peter's denial or Thomas's doubt). This group represents the core of the early community of believers poised to receive new instructions from the Risen Christ, signifying a new beginning and a restoration of fellowship not just for Peter, but for all who follow Jesus. The act of them returning to their "former lives" as fishermen subtly underscores Jesus' power to call them back from that former life, once again, to their true commission of fishing for people.
John 21 2 Commentary
John 21:2 sets the stage for one of the most tender and crucial post-resurrection encounters between Jesus and His disciples. The enumeration of these seven disciples is deliberate, revealing a cross-section of Jesus's most trusted followers, from the bold leader (Peter) and the famously doubting one (Thomas), to the less frequently mentioned but devoted Nathanael, the ambitious but faithful sons of Zebedee, and two anonymous figures representing a wider circle of disciples.
Their decision to gather and for Peter to initiate a return to fishing (mentioned in the subsequent verse) highlights their immediate state: still disciples, but without a clear directive yet for their lives post-resurrection. It is a moment of transition and a subtle nod to their origins as "fishers." Yet, even in this return to their old life, they are "together," emphasizing the crucial role of community and mutual support among believers. This unity sets the proper atmosphere for Jesus to appear, to provide sustenance both physically and spiritually, and to powerfully re-commission Peter, reinforcing themes of grace, forgiveness, and continued purpose. The anonymity of the "two other disciples" reminds us that faithfulness is not solely about notoriety but presence and devotion.