Chapter 21:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
John 21
Concise Complete
Christ appears to his disciples. (1-14) His discourse with
Peter. (15-19) Christ's declaration concerning John. (20-24) The conclusion.
(25)
Verses 1-14 Christ
makes himself known to his people, usually in his ordinances; but sometimes by
his Spirit he visits them when employed in their business. It is good for the
disciples of Christ to be together in common conversation, and common business.
The hour for their entering upon action was not come. They would help to
maintain themselves, and not be burdensome to any. Christ's time of making
himself known to his people, is when they are most at a loss. He knows the
temporal wants of his people, and has promised them not only grace sufficient,
but food convenient. Divine Providence extends itself to things most minute, and
those are happy who acknowledge God in all their ways. Those who are humble,
diligent, and patient, though their labours may be crossed, shall be crowned;
they sometimes live to see their affairs take a happy turn, after many
struggles. And there is nothing lost by observing Christ's orders; it is casting
the net on the right side of the ship. Jesus manifests himself to his people by
doing that for them which none else can do, and things which they looked not
for. He would take care that those who left all for him, should not want any
good thing. And latter favours are to bring to mind former favours, that eaten
bread may not be forgotten. He whom Jesus loved was the first that said, It is
the Lord. John had cleaved most closely to his Master in his sufferings, and
knew him soonest. Peter was the most zealous, and reached Christ the first. How
variously God dispenses his gifts, and what difference there may be between some
believers and others in the way of their honouring Christ, yet they all may be
accepted of him! Others continue in the ship, drag the net, and bring the fish
to shore, and such persons ought not to be blamed as worldly; for they, in their
places, are as truly serving Christ as the others. The Lord Jesus had provision
ready for them. We need not be curious in inquiring whence this came; but we may
be comforted at Christ's care for his disciples. Although there were so many,
and such great fishes, yet they lost none, nor damaged their net. The net of the
gospel has enclosed multitudes, yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to
God.
Verses 15-19 Our
Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeited that of Peter
through his denying him. He now answered, Thou knowest that I love thee; but
without professing to love Jesus more than others. We must not be surprised to
have our sincerity called into question, when we ourselves have done that which
makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned sins, renews
the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity, Peter solemnly appealed
to Christ, as knowing all things, even the secrets of his heart. It is well when
our falls and mistakes make us more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our
love to God must be brought to the test; and it behoves us to inquire with
earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and prove us,
whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the
sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any
earthly advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man, whatever
death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die
to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?
Verses 20-24
Sufferings, pains, and death, will appear formidable even to the experienced
Christian; but in the hope to glorify God, to leave a sinful world, and to be
present with his Lord, he becomes ready to obey the Redeemer's call, and to
follow Him through death to glory. It is the will of Christ that his disciples
should mind their own duty, and not be curious about future events, either as to
themselves or others. Many things we are apt to be anxious about, which are
nothing to us. Other people's affairs are nothing to us, to intermeddle in; we
must quietly work, and mind our own business. Many curious questions are put
about the counsels of God, and the state of the unseen world, as to which we may
say, What is this to us? And if we attend to the duty of following Christ, we
shall find neither heart nor time to meddle with that which does not belong to
us. How little are any unwritten traditions to be relied upon! Let the Scripture
be its own interpreter, and explain itself; as it is, in a great measure, its
own evidence, and proves itself, for it is light. See the easy setting right
such mistakes by the word of Christ. Scripture language is the safest channel
for Scripture truth; the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, 1Co 2:13. Those who
cannot agree in the same terms of art, and the application of them, may yet
agree in the same Scripture terms, and to love one another.
Verse 25 Only a small
part of the actions of Jesus had been written. But let us bless God for all that
is in the Scriptures, and be thankful that there is so much in so small a space.
Enough is recorded to direct our faith, and regulate our practice; more would
have been unnecessary. Much of what is written is overlooked, much forgotten,
and much made the matter of doubtful disputes. We may, however, look forward to
the joy we shall receive in heaven, from a more complete knowledge of all Jesus
did and said, as well as of the conduct of his providence and grace in his
dealings with each of us. May this be our happiness. These are written that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye
might have life through his name, ch. 20:31.
Chapter 21:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
