J.97

STORY SETTING AND BACKGROUND

Jesus at the Sea of Galilee

 

Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee, provides them with a great draught of fishes and exhorts Peter.                       John 21:1-25

 

TO GALILEE

 

On the resurrection morning, the angels told the women to tell the disciples that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. Sev­eral days before Jesus Himself had told them so (Matt 26:32). Later that day when Jesus Himself appeared to some women, He reminded them to tell the disciples that they would see Him in Galilee.

Sometime later Jesus appeared to the disciples. A week later He showed Him­self to them again and especially to Thomas. Then the disciples traveled up to Galilee. This must have been a very happy experience for them. Jesus had risen from the dead. He had promised to meet them in Galilee. They were happy.

These events probably took place early in April. This time of the year is a beautiful season in Palestine. Crops of grain are beginning to fill out. In some years barley has begun to turn a golden yellow by this time. Flowers of many colors and types clothe the countryside. The silvery green of the many olive trees add to the beauty.

 

THE LAKE OF GALILEE

John 21 took place in the area of the Lake of Galilee. Of the seven disciples men­tioned, Peter, James and John had been fishermen. Philip and Nathanael were from Bethsaida (house of fish), the fish­ing suburb of Capernaum. We have no knowledge where Thomas came from. Two of the disciples are not identified,.

 

The Lake of Galilee is about 13 miles at its longest and 8 miles across at its widest point. The lake itself lies about 700 feet below sea level in a bowl of hills, which rise up to about 2000 feet on almost all sides. The southern end of the lake opens into the Jordan valley.

 

At the time of Jesus, the lake was teem­ing with many people. Josephus, the Jewish historian of the first century, speaks of the heavy population of this whole area. Even if one allows for exag­geration, the area of the Lake of Galilee bustled with many people, much trade and activity. Capernaum, lying on the northern shoreline, was an ideal head­quarters for the ministry of Jesus in Galilee.

Fishing was one of the major indus­tries of the lake. Magdala, the home town of Mary Magdalene, lay at the southern end of the small, triangular Plain of Gen­nesaret at its northwestern shore. This town was a center for the fishing indus­try; it was also known as Tarichaea.

 

Fish from the Lake of Galilee were pickled in brine or dried. They were sent overland via camel and donkey caravans to the fish markets of Jerusalem. Pickled fish from the lake were considered a great delicacy in Rome.

 

"HAVE YOU CAUGHT ANYTHING?"

 

Peter and the other disciples very like­ly set out to fish in the late afternoon or early evening. Peter, James and John were seasoned fishermen. They knew the best fishing spots as only experienced fish­ermen know them.

It seems that the disciples went out in two boats, a larger and a smaller boat. When they arrived at the desired place, they spread their net out in a long u-­shaped form. Then they brought the net together and began to haul it in. Time af­ter time they dropped their net, and time after time they drew it in only to find it empty. They fished all night, but caught nothing.

As dawn was beginning to break, they were fishing only 300 feet from the shore. Jesus stood watching His disciples. He called to them, "Have you caught any­thing?" He seemed to be a total stranger to them.

 

When this stranger told the disciples to let down the net on the right side of the boat, they did this. They made such a tremendous catch that they were un­able to pull in the net. John told Peter, "It's the Lord."

 

Peter probably was wearing a garment reaching down to about the knees. More of his body was exposed than was usual and therefore from the Jewish point of view the term "naked" is used to describe this. Peter put a belt or sash around his waist before plunging into the water to swim ashore.

The other disciples followed carefully dragging the net filled with fish. When they came to shore, they saw that Jesus had a fire burning with fish roasting on it.   All knew that it was Jesus.

 

Jesus asked them for fish. Peter hur­ried to pull the net on shore. Note the careful count and description of the fish, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the catch.

 

"FEED MY LAMBS"

 

After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him. Note how Peter answered with deep humility. When Jesus asked him the third time, Peter was sad. It reminded him of that fateful night when he had denied his Lord three times.

 

Fishermen in Galilee

 

Each time Peter affirmed his love Jesus told him, "Feed my sheep," "feed my lambs." Peter was to show his love through the service of feeding the sheep which belong to Jesus, the Good Shep­herd.

In His closing comments to Peter, Jesus indicated that Peter would have the privilege of dying for Him. According to tradition, Peter was imprisoned and cruci­fied under Nero after the burning of Rome in 64 A.D.