John 21 8

John 21:8 kjv

And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

John 21:8 nkjv

But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.

John 21:8 niv

The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

John 21:8 esv

The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

John 21:8 nlt

The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore.

John 21 verses

John 21 8 Meaning

This verse describes the disciples' action of rowing their boat toward Jesus. It signifies their obedience and their intentional movement to be with Christ after He revealed Himself on the shore.

John 21 8 Context

Following Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection, His disciples were gathered together. On this occasion, seven of them, including Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two other unnamed disciples, were by the Sea of Galilee. Peter decided to go fishing, and the other disciples joined him in their boat. Although they fished all night without catching anything, Jesus appeared to them on the shore. They did not recognize Him at first.

John 21 8 Word Analysis

• οἱ οὖν (hoi oun): "so then," "therefore." This conjunction connects the disciples' action to the preceding context, suggesting it follows from the events or conversations that just took place.
• λοιποὶ (loipoi): "the rest," "remaining." Refers to the other disciples present with Peter who decided to go fishing with him.
• μαθηταὶ (mathētai): "disciples." This term signifies those who follow and learn from Jesus.
• τῇ (tē): "the." Definite article indicating a specific boat.
• σκάφῃ (skaphei): "boat." Refers to a small boat or vessel, the one they were using for fishing.
• ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon): "they went away," "they departed." Past tense verb indicating they left to go fishing.
• εἰς (eis): "into," "to." Preposition indicating their destination or direction.
• τὴν (tēn): "the." Definite article.
• θάλασσαν (thalassan): "sea." Specifically the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.
• εἰς (eis): "into," "to."
• Ἰουδαίαν (Ioudaian): "Judea." Likely indicating their movement back towards Judea, though given the context, it refers to heading toward the Judean side of the Sea of Galilee, where they might expect Jesus to be.
• τὸ (to): "the."
• ἕτερον (heteron): "other." Implies there was another significant direction or place.
• πλοῖον (ploion): "boat." Refers to their vessel.
• ἐν (en): "in," "on."
• ᾧ (hō): "which." Relative pronoun referring to the boat.
• οἱ (hoi): "the."
• λοιποὶ (loipoi): "rest," "remaining."
• ἐκάθηντο (ekathēnto): "were sitting." Imperfect tense verb, suggesting an ongoing action of being seated in the boat.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• "οἱ οὖν λοιποὶ μαθηταὶ τῇ σκάφῃ ἀπῆλθον": This phrase emphasizes that the remaining disciples, as a group, made the decision and acted upon it, leaving to go fishing. The use of "λοιποὶ" (the rest) highlights that not all disciples were necessarily fishing at that moment, but this specific group did.
• "εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν εἰς Ἰουδαίαν τὸ ἕτερον πλοῖον": This is a somewhat debated phrase. Most understand "eis thalassan" as heading out into the Sea of Galilee for fishing. "eis Ioudaiāēn" might refer to a specific side of the lake, or more broadly as their journey takes them back towards their previous context of discipleship that began in Judea. However, the literal reading points to direction.
• "ἐν ᾧ οἱ λοιποὶ ἐκάθηντο": This final clause states that the remaining disciples were seated in "the other boat," suggesting Peter might have been in one boat and the others in another, or more simply, the boat in which the other disciples were situated. However, the immediate context of John 21:3 indicates Peter said "I am going fishing," and they replied, "We will go with you." This implies they were together. Some interpretations suggest the distinction in the pronoun "the other boat" could be a textual difficulty or a minor clarification, but the primary action is their going to the sea.

John 21 8 Bonus Section

The detail about "the other boat" (τὸ ἕτερον πλοῖον) has led to some discussion among scholars. It is possible that Peter and at least some of the disciples were in one boat, and the "other disciples" (οἱ λοιποὶ μαθηταὶ) were in a separate vessel, perhaps a larger fishing boat. This could imply Peter's impulsiveness or a moment where his individual initiative sparked the action. However, given Peter's earlier statement, it is more probable that the disciples were generally together, and this phrasing might simply be specifying the boat in which the majority of "the rest" were located as they set out. The significant point remains their collective action in going out to fish, leading them to the Lord's divine provision and guidance.

John 21 8 Commentary

This verse highlights the disciples' return to their former occupation of fishing after witnessing Jesus's resurrection. While they failed to catch anything throughout the night, this endeavor is not portrayed negatively. Instead, it serves as a prelude to Jesus's miraculous intervention. Their willingness to engage in manual labor demonstrates their continuing humanity and the reality of their situation before Jesus’s full restoration of their purpose. The verse is simple, stating the action, but the implication is profound: even in moments of apparent lack of success, they were moving towards Christ's re-manifestation and His reaffirmation of their calling. Their action, though to their own fishing, leads them back to encounter the risen Lord who had commissioned them to "fish for people."