As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. (10) Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. (11) Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three. And for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. (12) Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of his disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. (13) Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. (14) This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
The first manifestation the Lord made of himself, in proof who he was, he shewed in calling them by the tender name in which he had so lately spoken to them, and following this with causing them to enclose a multitude of fishes. And now, as soon as they step on shore, they find immediate provision made for them in the same miraculous manner. Both instances could not fail to bring to their recollection, how Jesus, near the same spot, had fed the multitude in the wilderness, and gave them success also on the water. John 6:1-14; Luke 5:1-11. Some have thought, and probably it might be so, that beside the supply those mercies gave to their present necessities, these things had respect to the Apostles' future ministry. And as those fishermen had caught nothing before they met with Jesus so all labors in the word and doctrine are unprofitable without Him. John 15:5. And as at Christ's command their capture was so abundant, so is it with all faithful ministers of salvation, when, at the direction of Jesus, and the presence of Jesus, they cast the net of the Gospel on the right side.
There is somewhat very sweet and gracious in the invitation of the Lord to come and dine. Though they knew him, and though Jesus had sufficiently shewn by such attention to them, that there was no alteration in his love towards them, yet, since the Lord was now come forth out of the invisible world, there was, no doubt, a certain somewhat in his aspect, which induced an holy solemnity in the Apostles. It must have been a solemn interview, though so highly gracious. The Lord's presence cannot but fill the mind with awe. A child of God will have the most lively sense of his own creatureship and unworthiness, in those seasons when Jesus is giving out most largely of his love.
And was there not somewhat sacramental in this repast? Jesus took bread it is said, as well as gave to them. Precious Lord! how doth every view of thy tender words and actions, minister to the endearment of thy Person and Character?
The Evangelist saith, that this was the third time of Jesus shewing himself to his disciples after his resurrection. But he meant the third time in a public manner to the disciples in a body. For the Lord had shewn himself five times, before this. First, to Mary Magdalene. Mark 16:9. Secondly, to the other Women who went early to the Sepulchre, who at the command of the Angel, while running to tell the disciples of Christ's resurrection, were met by Jesus, saying, All hail! Matthew 28:9. Thirdly, by the two disciples, in their walk to Emmaus. Luke 24:13, etc. Fourthly, to the Eleven, as they sat at meat. Luke 24:36, etc. And fifthly, the same day week after, when the Lord spoke particularly to Thomas. John 20:26. But the Evangelist, by the third time meant the third visit to the disciples as a body. But Paul seems to intimate, as if Peter had been blessed with a visit and manifestation of Jesus alone, beside those which the Lord had granted him in common, with the other Apostles. For Paul, when speaking of Christ's resurrection saith, that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. And I pray the Reader to observe, with what an air of triumph the Apostle adds, after that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom (saith Paul) the greater part remain unto this present. As much as to say, if any of you doubt the fact itself of the resurrection of Jesus, you may enquire for yourselves; for they are alive and will inform you. For this thing (as Paul said on another occasion), was not done in a corner. Act 26:26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. See Commentary also on that Chapter. And see for a testimony of the resurrection of Christ, by the Holy Ghost's teaching. Acts 25:19.