But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
But {G1161} when the morning {G4405} was {G1096} now {G2235} come {G1096}, Jesus {G2424} stood {G2476} on {G1519} the shore {G123}: but {G3305} the disciples {G3101} knew {G1492} not {G3756} that {G3754} it was {G2076} Jesus {G2424}.
However, just as day was breaking, Yeshua stood on shore, but the talmidim didn’t know it was he.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.
But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
-
John 20:14
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. -
Luke 24:15
And it came to pass, that, while they communed [together] and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. -
Luke 24:16
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. -
Luke 24:31
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. -
Mark 16:12
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
John 21:4 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment shortly after Jesus' resurrection, where He appears to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.
Context
This verse is part of the final chapter of John's Gospel, which recounts Jesus' third post-resurrection appearance to His disciples as a group. After the initial shock and joy of the resurrection, some of the disciples, led by Peter, had returned to their former occupation of fishing on the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Sea of Tiberias). They had toiled through the night without success, a common experience for fishermen. It is at this weary and unproductive point that Jesus approaches them from the shore, though they do not immediately recognize Him, setting the stage for a miraculous encounter and significant dialogue.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "knew not" comes from the Greek word eido (οἶδα), which often refers to knowledge gained by perception, intuition, or inward realization, rather than intellectual understanding (ginosko). This implies that their inability to recognize Jesus was not a lack of factual information, but a failure of immediate spiritual or visual perception in that moment, perhaps due to the distance, the dim light of dawn, or divine providence obscuring His identity for a time.
Practical Application
John 21:4 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today: