John 21 3

John 21:3 kjv

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.

John 21:3 nkjv

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.

John 21:3 niv

"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

John 21:3 esv

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

John 21:3 nlt

Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing." "We'll come, too," they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

John 21 verses

John 21 3 Meaning

John 21:3 narrates Simon Peter's decisive action to return to his former profession of fishing, followed by six other disciples joining him. Their night-long labor on the Sea of Galilee, undertaken after Jesus' resurrection but without His immediate guidance, ultimately yields no catch. This passage highlights the natural human tendency to revert to familiar comforts or perceived purpose when divine direction seems uncertain, while simultaneously demonstrating the futility of human effort when separated from Christ's specific instruction and blessing, preparing the ground for Jesus' re-commissioning of Peter.

John 21 3 Context

John chapter 21 unfolds after Jesus' resurrection and His initial appearances to the disciples in Jerusalem. Despite witnessing the Risen Lord, the disciples are in a transitional period, grappling with the profound changes and the lack of explicit, continuous instruction for their next steps. An instruction had been given to meet Jesus in Galilee (Matt 28:7), and so they are gathered by the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). Peter, traditionally viewed as the leader, initiates a return to his old trade. This action reflects the human desire for routine, purpose, or comfort in times of great uncertainty or personal doubt, especially given Peter's recent denials of Jesus (John 18). Historically, fishing was a major industry in Galilee, a familiar and demanding occupation for these men. Their choice to go fishing underscores a return to a known, tangible livelihood when their spiritual calling's immediate manifestation was not yet clear, thus setting the stage for Jesus to once again intervene and provide clarity and commission.

John 21 3 Word analysis

• Simon Peter (Σίμων Πέτρος - Simōn Petros): A significant individual among the disciples, named here with both his birth name and the name given by Jesus, indicating his prominence, yet also his ongoing human fallibility, soon to be addressed by Jesus.
• said (λέγει - legei): Present tense, implying an immediate, resolute declaration of his intent to the group.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers to the other six disciples present (John 21:2), highlighting Peter's role as a leader even in this moment of seeking purpose.
• “I am going (Ὑπάγω - Hypagō): A strong declaration of personal initiative and direction, conveying a firm intention to depart for a specific purpose.
• fishing (ἁλιεύειν - halieuein): An infinitive used here. This signifies a return to their previous, secular profession, a natural, yet temporarily misplaced, source of purpose for the disciples.
• They said (Λέγουσιν - Legousin): Indicates the collective agreement and readiness of the other disciples to join Peter's lead.
• to him (αὐτῷ - autō): Reinforces their unanimous decision to follow Peter.
• “We will go (Ἐρχόμεθα - Erchometha): Expresses their shared intent and immediate willingness to participate, showing solidarity with Peter's plan.
• with you (μετὰ σοῦ - meta sou): Emphasizes their collective commitment and reliance on Peter's lead during this uncertain period.
• So they went out (Ἐξῆλθον οὖν - Exēlthon oun): "Therefore they went out." Denotes direct action immediately following the group's decision, showing their commitment to the endeavor.
• and got into (καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς - kai enebēsan eis): The act of boarding, showing preparation and setting off to accomplish their task.
• the boat (τὸ πλοῖον - to ploion): The specific vessel for fishing, a familiar tool for their former trade.
• and that night (καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ - kai en ekeinē tē nykti): Specifies the time – night was often a preferred time for fishing on the Sea of Galilee due to cooler temperatures and fish behaviour.
• they caught (ἤγευσαν - ēgeusan): Refers to the act of hauling in fish, the expected outcome of their fishing effort.
• nothing (οὐδὲν - ouden): A stark, absolute declaration of complete failure and futility. It's crucial for the verse's theological point, highlighting the barrenness of self-directed effort without Christ.

• "Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.'": This pivotal statement shows Peter taking initiative, directing the group back to a familiar trade. It can be seen as Peter reverting to what he knew, perhaps due to the lack of clear, immediate instructions from Jesus after His resurrection, or a feeling of disqualification due to his denials.
• "They said to him, 'We will go with you.'": This group consensus highlights the influence of Peter and a shared sentiment among the disciples. Their agreement suggests a collective human response to seek comfort and purpose in the familiar amidst confusion and the weight of waiting.
• "So they went out and got into the boat": This demonstrates their decisive action and physical commitment to returning to their old way of life. They moved swiftly to implement Peter's plan, preparing themselves for a night's labor.
• "and that night they caught nothing": The culmination of their efforts underscores the core message of futility. Despite their professional experience, diligence throughout the night, and appropriate timing, their endeavors were barren. This narrative detail dramatically foreshadows Jesus' later intervention, where human toil alone is shown to be insufficient without divine blessing and direction.

John 21 3 Bonus section

The journey back to Galilee itself for the disciples, and particularly to fishing, holds profound symbolism. Galilee was the primary theatre of Jesus' public ministry and the place where He first called many of these same men from their nets to be His followers (Matthew 4:18-22). Their return to the boats is, therefore, a deeply significant full circle, a return to "Square One" that serves to vividly reset the scene for Jesus' climactic re-calling and re-commissioning of Peter. It emphasizes that while they were temporarily stepping back into their old identity as fishermen, Jesus would soon elevate and transform that calling into something infinitely greater. The failure to catch anything isn't merely a factual detail but a powerful didactic device that makes Christ's subsequent appearance and the miraculous catch all the more impactful, demonstrating His indispensable role as the source of all provision and purpose, especially for those called to be "fishers of men."

John 21 3 Commentary

John 21:3 is a poignant illustration of human response to profound uncertainty after experiencing extraordinary events. Simon Peter, having denied Jesus and likely carrying a heavy burden of guilt, along with six other disciples, returns to his familiar occupation of fishing. This act can be interpreted as seeking solace, purpose, or a return to normal life in the vacuum created by Jesus' post-resurrection appearances being sporadic and His immediate directives for them not yet fully established. Their night of laborious fishing, a field in which they were experts, yields "nothing." This emptiness of their nets is deeply symbolic, powerfully reinforcing Jesus' earlier teaching: "apart from me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). It highlights that even skilled, earnest human endeavor remains unproductive in God's eyes if it is disconnected from His divine will, timing, and empowerment. The barren nets set the perfect stage for Jesus to appear, demonstrate miraculous provision, and ultimately re-commission Peter, drawing him back from his old "nets" to the higher calling of shepherding Christ's flock.Practical Usage: When believers feel lost or face uncertainty in their spiritual journey, there's a natural pull to revert to past routines, comfortable secular pursuits, or self-reliant efforts. This verse serves as a caution against seeking purpose solely in what is familiar or earthly, reminding us that true fruitfulness, especially in ministry or service, springs only from explicit reliance on and obedience to Christ's divine direction and presence.