In the night before his crucifixion and as they walked from the upper room to the Mount of Olives, Jesus told his disciples that, after he was risen, he would go before them into Galilee (Matthew 26:30-32). After Jesus rose from the dead, the angels told the women who had come to the sepulcher that Jesus had risen and to remind his disciples of what he had told them, concerning meeting them in Galilee (Matthew 28:5-7, cp verse-10). This was the only scheduled meeting of Jesus with his disciples after his resurrection that is revealed in the Gospel narratives (cp. Mark 14:26-28). All others were extemporaneous. Moreover, both the time and the place of that meeting were also revealed (Matthew 28:16). All post resurrection appearances were done with one (John 20:14) two (Luke 24:13-16), perhaps five or six (Matthew 28:9), eleven or maybe also with others (Mark 16:14; cp. Luke 24:33-36). However, if folks knew of a scheduled meeting was to occur, certainly many more would be present even from among the unbelievers, and Paul mentions that meeting (1Corinthians 15:6).
Both Matthew and Mark mention Jesus’ appearance before the many, which was in Galilee. There Jesus gave his disciples what has been referred to as the Great Commission. But, how do we get from the doubters Jesus appeared to in the upper room to sending them forth into the world to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom? Obviously, the doubt had to be addressed sometime, and this is what John discusses in the final chapter of his narrative.
After a whole night of fishing, but catching nothing, the dawn was breaking and a figure on the shore was heard to ask, if they had any fish, and they answered, no. It was Jesus, but the disciples didn’t recognize him (John 21:4-5).
Jesus replied by telling them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and they would find a catch. They obeyed but were unable to draw in such a large catch (John 21:6). The disciple whom Jesus loved was in the boat with Peter and was the first to recognize that it was Jesus on the shore. When he told Peter it was Jesus, Peter jumped into the sea, for he was naked, and he took with him his fisher’s coat (John 21:7) While Peter was swimming to shore, the other disciples got into a smaller boat and drew the net to shore (John 21:8).
By the time they reached land, they found Jesus already had a fire burning and was roasting fish in the fire. He told the disciples to bring some of their fish also, and dine with him (John 21:9-10). So, Peter helped the others to drag the net to shore. It held one hundred and fifty-three large fish (too heavy a load to lift into the larger boat), yet the net didn’t break, as they pulled it to shore (John 21:11-12).
What a contrast from the first time Jesus went fishing with Peter (cp. Luke 5:4-8). Remember, at that time Jesus told Peter to cast out the nets (plural), but Peter, the fisherman, condescended to Jesus (not a fisherman) out of respect, but cast out only one net. The net broke at that time, due to the large catch, which, when loaded in at least two boats, put them to the point of sinking due to such a large catch. Thus, after being with Jesus for over three years, when he did similarly at this time, how could they not consider the two accounts and recognize the difference faith and obedience made. Such an experience had to have helped their tender faith, which was damaged through their abandoning Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. To dine with him, is to be forgiven by him. He didn’t recall their sin, but ministered to their doubts, and they came away feeling better about the future.
So, after the fish were cooked well enough, Jesus gave the disciples some bread and fish, and they dined together (John 21:13). The text doesn’t say, but it seems that Jesus appeared to them this third time (John 21:14) in a different form than he did the day of his resurrection. Yet, no one questioned his identity, for they knew who he was (John 21:12).
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