John 21: “Feed My Sheep”
1. “After This Jesus Revealed Himself Again”
“After this Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and He revealed Himself in this way.” (Jn 21:1)
The Gospel closes where it began — beside the waters of Galilee.
The circle of redemption is complete: the disciples return to their ordinary life, yet everything has changed.
Christ meets them where vocation first began.
St Bede the Venerable writes:
“He who called them from the sea now recalls them to the sea; the same shore witnesses their first following and their final confirmation.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
2. “I Am Going Fishing”
“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’” (v. 3)
Peter’s decision is not apostasy but restlessness — a longing for direction.
The Resurrection has occurred, but their mission remains unclear.
Their return to the nets symbolises the Church’s return to labour, now sanctified by grace.
St Augustine observes:
“They were not wrong to fish again, but they were fruitless until Christ stood upon the shore.”
(Tractates on John 122.1)
Without Christ, all labour is vain; with Him, even failure becomes fruit.
3. “That Night They Caught Nothing”
“But that night they caught nothing.” (v. 3)
Night symbolises human effort without divine aid.
The disciples’ emptiness prepares them to receive the Lord’s abundance.
St Ambrose comments:
“They toil in vain who trust their own nets; only when the dawn of Christ rises does the sea yield its treasure.”
(On the Mysteries 53)
The Church, too, learns that her mission depends not on skill but on grace.
4. “Jesus Stood on the Beach”
“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” (v. 4)
As in Emmaus, the risen Lord is present but unrecognised until He acts.
The distance between sea and shore signifies the distance between earthly labour and heavenly rest.
St Bede:
“The sea is the world, the ship the Church, the shore eternity; Christ stands on the shore calling us from toil to peace.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
5. “Children, Have You Any Fish?”
“Children, have you any fish?” They answered Him, ‘No.’ (v. 5)
The Lord begins with gentle familiarity.
He knows their failure yet invites confession of need.
Grace always begins where human strength ends.
St Augustine writes:
“He calls them children, not labourers; for He comes not to demand but to give.”
(Tractates on John 122.2)
6. “Cast the Net on the Right Side”
“He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’” (v. 6)
Obedience turns failure into miracle.
The “right side” symbolises the direction of righteousness — acting in accord with divine will.
St Bede:
“The left side is the work of self-will, the right side the work of obedience; they who obey the word draw multitudes into the Church.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
The Fathers saw in the 153 fish (v. 11) a symbol of the universality of salvation — a perfect, inclusive number embracing all nations.
St Augustine interprets:
“The number 153 signifies the fulness of the Gentiles: ten (the Law) plus seven (the Spirit) multiplied to perfection.”
(Tractates on John 122.9)
7. “It Is the Lord!”
“That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” (v. 7)
Love recognises before authority acts.
The same pattern seen at the empty tomb repeats: the beloved disciple discerns, Peter leads.
St Ambrose notes:
“Love perceives what authority must proclaim; faith and love work together as eye and hand.”
(On the Faith V.11)
Peter’s leap into the water symbolises zeal and repentance — plunging through death’s waters to reach the risen Christ.
8. The Fire of Coals
“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.” (v. 9)
The charcoal fire recalls another — the fire at which Peter denied his Lord (Jn 18:18).
Now, at another fire, Peter will be restored.
Christ’s mercy meets sin in the place of memory.
St Bede comments:
“The Lord kindles fire to burn away denial; He feeds where He once was denied.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
The bread and fish also evoke the Eucharist — the meal of reconciliation and mission.
9. “Come and Have Breakfast”
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask Him, ‘Who are You?’ for they knew it was the Lord.” (vv. 12–13)
Simple fellowship now becomes sacred communion.
Christ feeds His disciples as Priest and Host.
St Augustine writes:
“He feeds them on the shore, for now they eat in hope; later He will feed them in glory, where no sea divides.”
(Tractates on John 122.13)
The meal seals their restored friendship.
10. “Simon, Son of John, Do You Love Me?”
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’” (v. 15)
Three questions, three affirmations — one for each denial.
Christ heals Peter not by reproach but by renewed mission.
St Ambrose:
“The triple question unbinds the triple chain; love must heal what fear had wounded.”
(On Repentance II.7)
The Lord calls him not by his new name “Peter” but by the old “Simon” — a gentle reminder of humility.
11. “Feed My Lambs… Tend My Sheep”
“Feed My lambs… Tend My sheep… Feed My sheep.” (vv. 15–17)
Here the Lord entrusts His flock to Peter — a clear expression of the Petrine office.
The Fathers are unanimous: this is the institution of the universal pastoral ministry.
St Augustine proclaims:
“If the love of Christ is in Peter, let him feed the sheep; for that is the proof of love.”
(Tractates on John 123.5)
St Bede adds:
“Three times he is told to feed, because he must nourish with word, example, and sacrament.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
Peter’s primacy is thus rooted in charity, not domination.
12. “When You Were Young”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you.” (v. 18)
This prophecy foretells Peter’s martyrdom.
The shepherd will die like his Lord, crucified for love.
St Ambrose reflects:
“To follow Christ even to the Cross is the perfection of love; Peter’s death preaches more than his words.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy III.12)
St Bede:
“He who denied by fear will confess by blood.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
13. “Follow Me”
“After this He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” (v. 19)
This is the final personal call of the Gospel.
The first words Christ spoke to Peter were “Follow Me” (Jn 1:43); now, after all falls and tears, they are spoken again.
St Augustine:
“The beginning and the end of discipleship are the same — to follow Christ; only now Peter understands the cost.”
(Tractates on John 123.7)
14. Peter and John
“Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them.” (v. 20)
Peter asks about John’s future, but the Lord answers:
“If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me!” (v. 22)
Each disciple’s vocation differs — martyrdom for Peter, contemplation for John — yet both serve the one Lord.
St Bede writes:
“Peter signifies the active life, John the contemplative; both are needed in the Church until Christ returns.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
15. “This Is the Disciple Who Is Bearing Witness”
“This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and we know that his testimony is true.” (v. 24)
The Evangelist steps forward, sealing the Gospel with his own witness.
Truth here is not theory but testimony confirmed by the Spirit.
St Augustine notes:
“He writes what he saw, not what he invented; his truth is the mirror of eternal Truth.”
(Tractates on John 124.1)
16. “The World Itself Could Not Contain the Books”
“There are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (v. 25)
The Gospel ends not with an end but an opening — eternity overflowing into the world.
Christ’s deeds are inexhaustible because His love is infinite.
St Bede concludes:
“He who fills heaven and earth cannot be contained by words; yet every word of His fills heaven and earth.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.27)
17. Theological Summary
| Theme | Revelation |
| Fishing and fruitlessness | Human effort without Christ is empty |
| Miraculous catch | Universal mission of the Church |
| Breakfast on the shore | Communion and forgiveness |
| Peter’s restoration | Charity as the foundation of authority |
| Prophecy of death | Martyrdom as perfect love |
| Follow Me | Lifelong discipleship renewed |
| Peter and John | Active and contemplative vocations in harmony |
St Augustine summarises:
“Peter follows, John remains; the Church works in time, the Church rests in eternity. Both live by love.”
(Tractates on John 124.2)
18. Moral and Spiritual Application
Return to your first calling. Christ still meets you where He first called you, to begin again.
Trust obedience over effort. Cast your nets on the right side — at His command, not your own.
Let failure become encounter. Every empty net can lead to recognition of the Lord.
Feed His sheep. Every Christian shares Peter’s commission: love expressed in service.
Follow Him again. Even after denial or delay, the invitation remains.
19. Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, risen Shepherd and eternal King,
You called Your disciples from their nets and called them again after their failures.
Kindle in us the fire of Your forgiveness,
that our love may feed Your sheep,
our labour bring souls to Your shore,
and our obedience glorify You in all things.
Strengthen the shepherds of Your Church,
unite the faithful in charity,
and lead us to that final shore
where You have prepared the everlasting feast.
Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 