John 21:3

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.

Simon {G4613} Peter {G4074} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, I go {G5217} a fishing {G232}. They say {G3004} unto him {G846}, We {G2249} also {G2532} go {G2064} with {G4862} thee {G4671}. They went forth {G1831}, and {G2532} entered {G305} into {G1519} a ship {G4143} immediately {G2117}; and {G2532} that {G1722}{G1565} night {G3571} they caught {G4084} nothing {G3762}.

Shim‘on Kefa said, “I’m going fishing.” They said to him, “We’re coming with you.” They went and got into the boat, but that night they didn’t catch anything.

Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing.

Commentary

John 21:3 captures a poignant moment in the post-resurrection narrative, revealing the disciples' state of mind and Peter's initiative before their final commissioning by Jesus. After witnessing the resurrected Christ, the disciples find themselves back in Galilee, a familiar territory, but perhaps uncertain about their next steps.

Context

This verse is set on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee) after Jesus' resurrection. The disciples, including Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two others, are together. Despite having seen the Lord multiple times since His resurrection (e.g., John 20:19), there seems to be a period of waiting or uncertainty. Peter, always a man of action, declares his intention to return to his former trade: fishing. His fellow disciples readily agree, indicating a collective return to the familiar. The immediate outcome, "that night they caught nothing," sets the stage for the miraculous intervention that follows, highlighting the futility of human effort without divine guidance.

Key Themes

  • Return to the Familiar: Faced with a new reality (Jesus' resurrection) but perhaps unclear instructions for the future, the disciples revert to their previous livelihood. This highlights a common human tendency to seek comfort and purpose in what is known when the path ahead is uncertain.
  • Human Effort vs. Divine Provision: The stark declaration "that night they caught nothing" underscores the limitation of human strength and skill. Despite their experience as fishermen, their efforts were fruitless until Jesus intervened. This powerfully contrasts human striving with God's effortless provision, a theme echoed throughout scripture.
  • Waiting and Preparation: This period of fishing, though unproductive, serves as a backdrop for Jesus' final instructions and restoration of Peter. It shows God often allows us to exhaust our own resources before revealing His perfect plan, preparing our hearts for His direction.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I go a fishing" (KJV) is a somewhat archaic rendering of the Greek hypago halieuein (ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν), which simply means "I go to fish." There isn't a complex linguistic nuance here, but the directness of Peter's statement reflects his pragmatic nature and his desire to do something, even if it was a return to his old life. The immediate agreement of the others ("We also go with thee") shows their collective state of being adrift without clear direction from their Lord.

Practical Application

John 21:3 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Dealing with Uncertainty: Like the disciples, we may sometimes find ourselves in periods of transition or uncertainty, perhaps after a significant spiritual experience or when awaiting God's next move. It's natural to feel a pull back to old habits or familiar comforts.
  • Trusting God's Direction: This verse reminds us that even our best efforts can be fruitless without God's blessing and direction. It encourages us to seek His guidance in all our endeavors, rather than relying solely on our own strength or experience. The barren night of fishing prepares the disciples for the miraculous catch when Jesus appears, a powerful symbol of divine abundance following human futility.
  • Remembering Our Calling: For Peter, this return to fishing stood in contrast to his initial calling to be a "fisher of men". The passage subtly highlights the importance of remembering and embracing the spiritual calling God has placed on our lives, even when the path isn't immediately clear.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 5:5

    And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

  • Matthew 4:18

    ¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

  • Matthew 4:20

    And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him.

  • Luke 5:10

    And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

  • Luke 5:11

    And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9

    For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:7

    For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
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