Joh 21:2 | KingComments | STEP | The disciples went to Galilee. The Lord had also told them to go there, for there He would meet them ( ). Yet this is special for this Gospel because the events in this Gospel take place mainly in Judea. This means that they are outside the usual terrain of Judaism. Only later are they instructed not to leave Jerusalem ( ). They find themselves near the Sea of Tiberias. There the Lord reveals Himself to them again. John describes the way in which He does this. Seven disciples have gathered together. The names of three of them are mentioned. Peter is mentioned first, as always. Thomas is also among them this time. Again, his nickname “Didymus” is mentioned ( ). Furthermore, Nathanael is also present. He is from Cana in Galilee, which reminds us of the first sign of the Lord ( ). John and James are the sons of Zebedee. That they are here referred to by this name reminds us of their natural origin. Even though the Lord is risen, that does not change their natural relations. Finally, John mentions the presence of “two others of His disciples,” whose names are not mentioned. They are all His disciples before His suffering and death and remain so after His resurrection. The men mentioned by name are especially connected with Israel. Peter, John and James are the pillars of support for those who are “of the circumcision,” that is, the believers from among the Jews ( ). Thomas is a picture of the believing remnant of Israel. Nathanael comes from the area of Israel that borders closely on the nations ( ). This brings us to the goal of the following history. The fishing by the disciples is a picture of what the Lord Jesus will do in the future through His people. He will bring a great multitude out of the nations to faith in Him during the great tribulation ( ), of which the fish these men catch from the sea is a picture.

‏ John 21:2

The Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias

The disciples went to Galilee. The Lord had also told them to go there, for there He would meet them (Mt 26:32 ; Mt 28:7). Yet this is special for this Gospel because the events in this Gospel take place mainly in Judea. This means that they are outside the usual terrain of Judaism. Only later are they instructed not to leave Jerusalem (Acts 1:4). They find themselves near the Sea of Tiberias. There the Lord reveals Himself to them again. John describes the way in which He does this.

Seven disciples have gathered together. The names of three of them are mentioned. Peter is mentioned first, as always. Thomas is also among them this time. Again, his nickname “Didymus” is mentioned (Jn 11:16 ; Jn 20:24). Furthermore, Nathanael is also present. He is from Cana in Galilee, which reminds us of the first sign of the Lord (Jn 2:1). John and James are the sons of Zebedee. That they are here referred to by this name reminds us of their natural origin. Even though the Lord is risen, that does not change their natural relations. Finally, John mentions the presence of “two others of His disciples,” whose names are not mentioned.

They are all His disciples before His suffering and death and remain so after His resurrection. The men mentioned by name are especially connected with Israel. Peter, John and James are the pillars of support for those who are “of the circumcision,” that is, the believers from among the Jews (Gal 2:9). Thomas is a picture of the believing remnant of Israel. Nathanael comes from the area of Israel that borders closely on the nations (Mt 4:15).

This brings us to the goal of the following history. The fishing by the disciples is a picture of what the Lord Jesus will do in the future through His people. He will bring a great multitude out of the nations to faith in Him during the great tribulation (Rev 7:9), of which the fish these men catch from the sea is a picture.