21:1 After these things 1 Jesus shewed himself again to the
disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed
he [himself].
(1) In that Christ is not only present here but also eats with
his disciples, he gives a most full assurance of his
resurrection.
21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter,
It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the
Lord, he girt [his] fisher's a coat [unto him], (for he
was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
(a) It was a linen garment which prevented him from
swimming freely.
21:152 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,
Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He
saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
(2) Peter by this triple confession is restored into his former
position from where he fell by his triple denial: and
furthermore it is proclaimed that he is indeed a pastor,
who shows his love to Christ in feeding his sheep.
21:17 He saith unto him the b third time, Simon, [son] of
Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said
unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto
him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I
love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
(b) It was appropriate that he that had denied him three
times should confess him three times, so that Peter
might neither doubt the forgiveness of his grievous
sin, nor his being restored to the office of the
apostleship.
21:183 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young,
thou c girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou
wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch
forth thy hands, and another shall d gird thee, and
carry [thee] whither thou wouldest e not.
(3) The violent death of Peter is foretold.
(c) Those that took long trips, especially in the east and
in those places where the people used long garments,
needed to be girded and fastened up.
(d) He meant that kind of girding which is used with
captives, when they are bound fast with cords and
chains, as one would say, "Now you gird yourself as you
think best, to go where you want to go, but the time
will come when you will not gird yourself with a
girdle, but another will bind you with chains, and
carry you where you would not."
(e) Not that Peter suffered anything for the truth of God
against his will, for we read that he came with joy and
gladness when he returned from the council where he was
whipped, but because this will comes not from the
flesh, but from the gift of the Spirit who is given to
us from above, therefore he shows that there should be
a certain striving and conflict or repugnancy, which
also is in us, in all our sufferings as touching the
flesh.
21:19 This spake he, signifying by f what death he should
glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto
him, Follow me.
(f) That is, that Peter would die by a violent death.
21:204 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom
Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at
supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
(4) We must take heed that while we cast our eyes upon others
that we do not neglect that which we are commanded to do.
21:245 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things,
and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is
true.
(5) The history of Christ is truly and cautiously written: not
for the curiosity of men, but for the salvation of the
godly.
