John 21 6

John 21:6 kjv

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

John 21:6 nkjv

And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

John 21:6 niv

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

John 21:6 esv

He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

John 21:6 nlt

Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get some!" So they did, and they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

John 21 verses

John 21 6 Meaning

The verse describes the inability of Jesus' disciples to catch any fish despite their extensive effort, which highlights their present spiritual and physical state apart from Christ.

John 21 6 Context

Following Jesus’ resurrection and His final ascension instructions to His disciples, some of the disciples, including Peter, Nathanael, Thomas, James, John, and two others, returned to their former occupation of fishing in the Sea of Galilee. It was nighttime, typically the prime time for fishing, yet their efforts proved futile, yielding no fish at all. This event occurs in the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, underscoring a period of transition and recalibration for the disciples.

John 21 6 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting clauses, indicating addition or continuation of the narrative.
• they (αὐτοὶ - autoi): Refers back to the disciples mentioned in the preceding verses, emphasizing their collective action.
• said (εἶπαν - eipan): The aorist tense indicates a completed action, the words spoken by the disciples.
• unto (πρὸς - pros): Indicates direction towards; here, addressed to Jesus.
• them (αὐτούς - autous): Refers to Jesus and possibly other people present, although the immediate context points to Jesus as the recipient of their statement.
• He (αὐτός - autos): Pronoun referring to Jesus, emphasizing His singular response.
• said (εἶπεν - eipen): Similar to "εἶπαν," another instance of the aorist tense for completed speech.
• unto (πρὸς - pros): Again, indicating direction of speech towards them.
• them (αὐτούς - autous): The disciples.
• Having (ἔχων - echōn): Present participle, indicating an ongoing state or action.
• thrown (βαλόντας - balontas): Aorist participle from "βάλλω" (ballo), meaning to throw, cast, or put. Here, referring to casting the net.
• it (αὐτό - auto): Refers to the net.
• upon (εἰς - eis): Preposition indicating motion into or onto.
• the (τὸ - to): Definite article.
• right (δεξιόν - dexion): Refers to the right side. In a fishing context, a specific, fruitful location.
• side (μέρος - meros): Part, side, or region.
• of (τοῦ - tou): Possessive genitive, showing relation.
• the (πλοίου - ploiou): Genitive case of "πλοῖον" (ploion), meaning ship, boat, or vessel.
• boat (εἴπετε - eipete): The verb "εἶπον" (eipon) in the perfect tense, imperative mood, plural form. Literally "you have said." This phrasing can convey an emphasis or a directive nature to their prior statement or action, suggesting: "you said [or, were saying] and acted as commanded." Alternatively, it can be interpreted as "and you did," implying obedience to the prior instruction, "throw your net..." which implies they did. The nuance is subtle but suggests the disciples’ actions align with the instruction.
• they (οἱ - hoi): Definite article, plural.
• shall (εὑρήσετε - heurēsete): Future indicative, second person plural of "εὑρίσκω" (heuriskō), meaning to find. It implies a future result contingent on their action.
• find (πλήρης - plērēs): Adjective meaning full, complete. Here used predicatively.
• a (σύνης - synēs): This part of the Greek word seems like a typo or misrendering from a source text in this common passage. The actual word that follows "right side" is most commonly translated as "you will find" (εὑρήσετε - heurēsete). There is no Greek word that fits "σύνης" directly in the standard text of John 21:6 following "right side" or indicating a quantity of fish like "a full catch". The intended meaning conveyed by the following adjective "πλήρης" (full) in other versions of the text would then naturally describe what they will find. The commonly understood Greek for the phrase would be closer to "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find them [fish] as full."
• one (ἀhængéte - hungēte): Another potential rendering issue from the source text for "one". The standard Greek reads "καὶ οὐκ εἴχετο ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων" (kai ouk eicheto apo tou plethous tōn ichthuōn), which means "and were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fish". The notion of "one" is not present. The emphasis is on the "multitude" and their inability to draw it.
• hundred (ἐκατὸν - ekaton): Usually linked to "53" (ἑκατόν, ekaton - one hundred). Again, the common rendering of the verse does not include a specific number like "153" here, but rather the difficulty in drawing the net due to the multitude. The "153" fish are mentioned in the subsequent part of the verse, signifying the abundance Jesus commanded. The text says: "εἰς ἓν πλῆθος ἰχθύων" (eis hen plethos ichthuōn) - "into one multitude of fish".

Words-group analysis:The disciples’ prior, repeated efforts to fish throughout the night ("He is standing on the shore") were unproductive, indicated by "out ten, out nor a hundred". The phrase implies not just zero fish but a complete absence of catch, a failure even to get "a hundred", let alone more. This emptiness ("and then we have nought") underscores their own insufficient strength and lack of divine favor. Jesus' instruction ("cast your net on the right side") and the miraculous result ("and ye shall find it full") directly contrast their human failure with divine sufficiency and power, preparing them for the realization of His identity and the dawning of their mission.

John 21 6 Bonus section

The phrase "out ten, out nor a hundred" is a colloquialism for a complete failure to catch anything. The number 153 has intrigued biblical scholars for centuries. Various theories exist, including:

• The species of fish found in the Sea of Galilee.
• A symbolic meaning relating to the sum of numbers from 1 to 17, suggesting completeness or a divine order.
• The numerical value of specific Hebrew or Greek phrases referring to fullness or the Gentile nations.

This encounter serves as a powerful apologetic for Jesus' resurrection and divinity, reinstating the disciples' hope and equipping them for their future ministry. It is a testament to Jesus’ power over the natural world and His intimate knowledge of His disciples’ needs and circumstances.

John 21 6 Commentary

This verse marks a pivotal moment after Jesus' resurrection. The disciples, skilled fishermen by trade, had fished all night without success, emphasizing their current limitations apart from Christ's presence and power. Jesus, standing on the shore, though not immediately recognized, gives a simple command. The "right side" signifies not just a physical location but a place of divine favor and opportune blessing. Their immediate obedience, even after a night of failure, demonstrates a residual, though perhaps dim, trust in His word. The abundant catch that follows is a clear manifestation of Jesus' divine authority and power, similar to His miracles during His earthly ministry. It serves as a reminder that their strength and success are dependent on Him. This miracle prefigures their future mission and the abundant harvest of souls they would bring in under His guidance. The specific number of fish caught, 153, has various symbolic interpretations, often relating to the Gentile nations and the completeness of the Gospel’s reach.