John 21

“After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he…” Naming Jesus and Tiberias keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered…” Naming Peter and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,)…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, coals, fire. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.” Naming Bring and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there…” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow…” Naming Follow keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.” The line’s distinctive content terms include disciple, know, testifieth. Its relationship to verses 23 and 25 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.