Teks -- John 21:6 (NET)

21:6 He told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they threw the net, and were not able to pull it in because of the large number of fish.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Joh 21:6 - The right side

The right side ( eis ta dexia merē ).

Jesus knew where the fish were. For "net"(diktuon ) see Mat 4:20, here alone in John.

Robertson: Joh 21:6 - Were now not able to draw it

Were now not able to draw it ( ouketi auto helkusai ischuon ).

Imperfect active picturing the disciples tugging at the net.

Vincent: Joh 21:6 - The net

The net ( δίκτυον )

See on Mat 4:18; see on Mat 13:47.

Vincent: Joh 21:6 - Were not able

Were not able ( οὐκ ἴσχυσαν )

See on Luk 14:30; see on Luk 16:3; see on Jam 5:16.

Vincent: Joh 21:6 - To draw

To draw ( ἑλκῦσαι )

Into the boat. Compare σύροντες , Joh 21:8, dragging the net behind the boat.

Wesley: Joh 21:6 - They were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes

This was not only a demonstration of the power of our Lord, but a kind supply for them and their families, and such as might be of service to them, when they waited afterward in Jerusalem. It was likewise an emblem of the great success which should attend them as fishers of men.

JFB: Joh 21:3-6 - Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing

(See on Luk 5:11).

JFB: Joh 21:3-6 - that night . . . caught nothing

As at the first miraculous draught (see on Luk 5:5); no doubt so ordered that the miracle might strike them the more by contrast. The same principle is seen in operation throughout much of Christ's ministry, and is indeed a great law of God's spiritual procedure with His people.

JFB: Joh 21:6 - he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship

No doubt, by this very specific direction, intending to reveal to them His knowledge of the deep and power over it.

Clarke: Joh 21:6 - And ye shall find

And ye shall find - The Ethiopic, three copies of the Itala, and St. Cyril, add, They said therefore unto him, we have labored all the night and caught nothing, nevertheless at thy command we will let down the net. This is borrowed from Luk 5:5

Clarke: Joh 21:6 - For the multitude of fishes

For the multitude of fishes - This was intended as an emblem of the immense number of souls which should be converted to God by their ministry; according to the promise of Christ, Mat 4:19.

Calvin: Joh 21:6 - Cast the net on the right side of the ship // And now they were not able to draw it

6.Cast the net on the right side of the ship Christ does not command with authority and power as Master and Lord, but gives advice like one of the people; and the disciples, being at a loss what to do, readily obey him, though they did not know who he was. If, before the first casting of the net, any thing of this sort had been said to them, they would not have so quickly obeyed. I mention this, that no one may wonder that they were so submissive, for they had already been worn out by long and useless toil. Yet it was no small proof of patience and perseverance, that, though they had labored unsuccessfully during the whole night, they continue their toil after the return of daylight. And, indeed, if we wish to allow an opportunity for the blessing of God to descend on us, we ought constantly to expect it; for nothing can be more unreasonable than to withdraw the hand immediately from labor, if it do not give promise of success.

That Simon Peter Was Naked, is a proof that the disciples had labored in earnest; and yet they do not hesitate to cast the net again to make another trial, that they may not neglect any opportunity. Their obedience to the command of Christ cannot be ascribed to faith; for they hear him speak as a person who was unknown to them. Now, if we dislike our calling, because the labor which we undertake appears to be unproductive, yet, when the Lord exhorts us to steadiness and perseverance, we ought to take courage; in the end we shall obtain a happy result, but it will be at the proper time.

And now they were not able to draw it ²²⁸ Christ here exhibited two proofs of his Divine power. The first consisted in their taking so large a draught of fishes; and the second was, when, by his concealed power, he preserved the net whole, which otherwise must unavoidably have been broken in pieces. Other circumstances are mentioned, namely, that the disciples find burning coals on the shore, that fishes are laid on them, and that bread is also prepared. As to the number of the fishes, we ought not to look for any deep mystery in it. Augustine enters into ingenious reasonings about the statement of the number, and says that it denotes the Law and the Gospel; but if we examine the matter carefully, we shall find that this is childish trifling.

Defender: Joh 21:6 - multitude of fishes

This remarkable change of fortune would remind them immediately of their experience three years earlier when Jesus had similarly given them a miraculous catch of fishes and told them they would "catch men" (Luk 5:10) in the future (Luk 5:1-10). They recognized that it was Jesus and, most likely, would have understood His presence and the miracle as a rebuke and a reminder that they must soon be fishing for men instead of fish."

TSK: Joh 21:6 - Cast // They cast // the multitude

Cast : Mat 7:27; Luk 5:4-7

They cast : Joh 2:5; Psa 8:8; Heb 2:6-9

the multitude : Act 2:41, Act 4:4

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Joh 21:6

Though they had before laboured in vain, yet their Master’ s command encourages them to go to work again; then they take a multitude of fishes; a presage, say some, of that great success which the apostles should have in their fishing for men.

Gill: Joh 21:6 - And he said unto them // cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find // they cast therefore // And now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes

And he said unto them,.... Willing to make himself known by a miracle, since they knew him not by his person, nor voice:

cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find; that is, a large multitude of fish, as they did. The ship was an emblem of the church in its present afflicted state; the right side of it points to the elect, and where they are to be found in this world; the casting of the net signifies the preaching of the Gospel; the promise of finding fish, the assurance Christ gives of the success of his word, which he owns and blesses for the conversion of elect sinners:

they cast therefore; the net, willing to try what success they might have at the instance of this person, whom they knew not. The Ethiopic version reads the passage thus, "and they said unto him, we have laboured all night, and have found nothing, but at thy word we will let down"; which seems to be taken out of Luk 5:5. However, they obeyed his orders and directions, as the faithful ministers of the Gospel do, and should, and, succeeded.

And now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. The Syriac adds, "which it held"; being in number, as in Joh 21:11 an hundred and fifty, and three great fishes; which was an emblem and presage of that large number of souls both among the Jews and Gentiles, which they should be instrumental in bringing to Christ, through the preaching of the Gospel.