Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He made his presence known in a remarkable way.

Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, along with two other disciples, were gathered together. Simon Peter said to them, "I'm going fishing," and they replied, "We're coming with you." They immediately went out that night and entered a boat, but they caught nothing.

When morning came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn't recognize him. He asked, "Have you caught anything?" They replied, "We've caught nothing." So he said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you'll find some." They cast it in, and now they were unable to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord," and when Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he quickly wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in a little ship, dragging the net with fish, since they were not far from land but about two hundred cubits away.

As soon as they arrived on land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. <span class="jesus-words">Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you've just caught."</span> Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of 153 great fish, yet the net was not broken.

Jesus then came and took the bread, giving it to them, and also the fish that were laid there. He invited them to dine with him. None of the disciples dared ask him who he was, knowing that it was the Lord.

This was now the third time Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples after he was risen from the dead. Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, you know that I love you more than these others." Jesus replied, "Feed my lambs."

Jesus then asked Simon Peter again, "Do you have affection for me?" And Simon Peter replied, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

Simon Peter had proven his love for Jesus by his actions, and now he entrusted to Peter the care of his sheep. When they were young, they had the freedom to go wherever they pleased, but when they grew old, another would take control of their life and lead them in a direction they didn't want to go.

This was what Jesus meant by the death he would glorify God with. After speaking this, he said to Simon Peter, "Follow me."

Then Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following him, who had also leaned on his breast at supper when Jesus asked, "Which one of you is betraying me?" Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

Jesus replied, "If I desire that he remain until I come, what's that to you? Follow me." Then the brothers heard that this disciple was not going to die; yet Jesus hadn't said he wouldn't die, but rather, "If I want him to remain until I come, what's that to you?"

This is the disciple who testifies about these things and wrote them down. We know his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, of which if they were written every one, even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.