Simon Peter saith, I go a fishing They were now waiting for Christ's promised appearance to them, and it was certainly commendable in Peter that he wished to redeem the time and not be idle; but endeavour to make some provision for his own support, and for the entertainment of his friends. They say, We also go with thee They were as willing as he to labour for a maintenance, and not to eat the bread of idleness. They went forth, therefore, and entered into a ship immediately A small vessel on the lake or sea of Tiberias; and that night Though it was the properest time for fishing, and they were diligent in throwing their nets; they caught nothing The providence of God so ordering it that the subsequent miracle might be the more illustrious. But when the morning was now come After they had been toiling all night to no purpose; Jesus appeared and stood on the shore over against them; but the disciples Who had no expectation of seeing him there, and also being at some distance from him, and it not being yet perfectly light; knew not that it was Jesus They observed a person upon the shore, but knew not who he was. Then As they approached within call; Jesus saith, Children, have ye any meat? Have you taken fish enough to furnish out a meal? They answered him, No We have been toiling here this whole night in vain. And he said, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find Reader, whether we would cast the temporal net with success, and gain a maintenance for ourselves, and those dependant upon us, or the spiritual net, so as to be successful fishers of men, we have need of the direction of Jesus, and ought to apply to him for it; which if we do aright we shall not do in vain; the direction we need shall certainly be granted us. They Willing to try, at least, whether this stranger conjectured right, cast the net therefore as he had directed them; and now To their great astonishment; they were not able to draw it Into the ship again; for the multitude of fishes Which they had enclosed in it. This was not only a demonstration of the power of our Lord, but a kind supply for them and their families. It was, likewise, an emblem of the great success which should attend them as fishers of men.
Related Commentaries of John 21:3
John 21:3-6
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them,Children,a have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
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.