21:9 21:9

John 21:10

21:11 21:11

Bible Versions

Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Bring {G5342} of {G575} the fish {G3795} which {G3739} ye have {G4084} now {G3568} caught {G4084}.
Yeshua said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken.

Context

John 21:10 occurs during one of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to His disciples, specifically at the Sea of Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee). After a night of fruitless fishing, the disciples, including Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, and the sons of Zebedee, were exhausted and disheartened. Jesus appeared on the shore, unrecognized by them initially, and instructed them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous catch of 153 large fish (John 21:6). Upon realizing it was the Lord, Peter impulsively jumped into the water to reach Him. This verse captures Jesus' instruction as they approach the shore, where He had already prepared a charcoal fire with fish and bread (John 21:9).

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Human Participation: Even though Jesus had already prepared fish, He asks the disciples to bring some of their miraculously caught fish. This highlights a profound theological truth: God's abundant provision often includes and incorporates human effort and contribution. It's a partnership where our work, even when seemingly small or initially fruitless, is integrated into His greater plan.
  • Fellowship and Communion: The shared meal on the beach symbolizes intimate fellowship with the resurrected Christ. Jesus invites them to bring their catch, making them active participants in the meal, not just passive recipients. This act strengthens their bond and signifies the ongoing communion believers have with their Lord.
  • Symbol of Ministry and Harvest: The miraculous catch of fish is often seen as a symbol of the abundant harvest of souls in the disciples' future ministry as "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Jesus asking for some of "their" fish connects their future spiritual harvest to His ultimate provision and purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "fish" here is opsarion (ὀψάριον), which generally refers to cooked fish, or fish eaten with bread. In this context, it's used for the fish they just caught, implying it's for consumption. The command "Bring" (pherō - φέρω) is direct and active, inviting their participation in the meal. There isn't a complex linguistic nuance in the individual words, but the simple request itself carries deep theological weight, emphasizing inclusion and partnership.

Practical Application

John 21:10 reminds us that while God is the ultimate provider and orchestrator of all things, He often chooses to involve us in His work. Our contributions, talents, and efforts, even those we might consider insignificant or earned through struggle, are valued and can be used by Him for His purposes. This verse encourages us to offer what we have to the Lord, trusting that He will bless it and incorporate it into His perfect plan, often leading to a greater sense of shared purpose and deeper fellowship with Him, just as the disciples shared a meal with their resurrected Lord.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.

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