John 21 in the early church
334 passages quote, allude to, or echo John 21, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25
John 21:1
Later, by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples. He made Himself known in this way:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:1–3 | Gospel of Peter (Akhmim fragment) 60 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 100–200 |
| John 21:1 | Sermon 248.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:1 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.75 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:1 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.78 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:1 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.79 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:1 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.83 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:1 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.84 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:1–3 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 122.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| John 21:1–9 | Book 5, lines 379–403 · Sedulius | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| John 21:1–8 | Book 5, section 34 · Sedulius | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
John 21:2
Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:2 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.78 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:2 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.81 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:2 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.82 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
John 21:3
Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:3 | The Instructor 3.10.52 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| John 21:3 | Ancoratus 9.10 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374 |
| John 21:3 | Sermon 248.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:3 | Sermon 252.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:3 | The Harmony of the Gospels 2.41 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:3–11 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 122.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
John 21:4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:4 | The Instructor 1.5.12 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| John 21:4 | Letter 108.24 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| John 21:4–13 | Letter 120.7 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| John 21:4 | Sermon 249.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:4 | Sermon 252.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:4–7 | Against Jovinianus 1.26 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| John 21:4 | Letters 50.15 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| John 21:4–8 | Sermon 78 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
John 21:5
So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:5 | The Instructor 1.5.12 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| John 21:5 | Ancoratus 9.12 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| John 21:5–6 | Liber Orsiesii 52 · Orsiesius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| John 21:5 | Sermon 249.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:5 | Sermon 252.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:5 | Sermon 76 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
John 21:6
He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
John 21:7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:7 | Ancoratus 9.12 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| John 21:7 | Homilies on Matthew 50.1 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
John 21:8
The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:8 | Sermon 251.3 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:8 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 122.7 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
John 21:9
When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:9 | The Instructor 2.1.13 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| John 21:9 | Catechetical Lecture 14.23 · Cyril of Jerusalem | allusion, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| John 21:9–13 | Tractates 2.38.1 · Zeno of Verona | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362-380 |
| John 21:9–10 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 123.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| John 21:9–13 | Sermon 55 · Peter Chrysologus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| John 21:9–13 | Book 5, section 35 · Sedulius | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| John 21:9–13 | Part 2, chapter 39 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | allusion, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
John 21:11
So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.
John 21:12
“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:12 | Letter 216.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| John 21:12 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 123.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| John 21:12–17 | Book 5, lines 404–428 · Sedulius | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
John 21:13
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:13 | The Instructor 2.1.13 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| John 21:13 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 30.19.4 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374-377 |
| John 21:13 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 123.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
John 21:14
This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:14 | The Harmony of the Gospels 3.82 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:14 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 123.1 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| John 21:14 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 123.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
John 21:15
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
John 21:16
Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:16 | Letter to Dracontius 10 · Athanasius of Alexandria | echo, low confidence | ca. 355 |
| John 21:16 | Letter 14.8 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| John 21:16 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 59.8.2 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374-377 |
| John 21:16 | Apology of the Prophet David 50 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-390 |
| John 21:16 | Homilies on Matthew 71.1 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| John 21:16 | Sermon 253.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:16 | Sermon 253.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:16 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.70 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 398–400 |
| John 21:16 | City of God 14.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
John 21:17
Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
John 21:18
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
John 21:19
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”
John 21:20
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:20–23 | Commentary on John 32.260 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| John 21:20 | Commentary on John 32.279 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| John 21:20 | Church History 3.23.1 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300–325 |
| John 21:20 | Church History 5.8.4 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300–325 |
| John 21:20 | Church History 7.25.12 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300–325 |
| John 21:20 | Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:3–5 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| John 21:20 | Sermon 253.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:20 | Sermon 388.2 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| John 21:20 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 17.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 398–400 |
| John 21:20 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 16.2 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 406–420 |
John 21:21
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:21 | Commentary on John 32.262 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| John 21:21 | Homilies on Matthew 82.3 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| John 21:21 | Sermon 253.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
John 21:22
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
John 21:23
Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:23–24 | Commentary on John 32.261 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| John 21:23 | Sermon 253.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
John 21:24
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| John 21:24 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 17.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 398–400 |
| John 21:24 | The Harmony of the Gospels 2.25 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 399–400 |
| John 21:24–25 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 124.8 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
John 21:25
There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written.