Simon Peter, Déjà Vu, and St. John the Master Story Teller

Have you ever warmed yourself outdoors on a chilly morning by a fire? Ever looked into the burning embers and have a remembrance of a similar time rise to the surface, bringing with it the feelings of that past experience — maybe even giving rise to thoughts of regret that you have yet to resolve? For you, maybe it was not a fire, but pondering the surface of a placid lake, the seashore, or maybe a sunrise, or something else, like staring into a good cup of coffee, or watching the birds outside your window. An experience which fosters internal peace and a feeling of comfort, until … well, until it doesn’t, and morphs into an unexpected and uncomfortable “been here before” experience, or what the French call “déjà vu”.

We shall consider just such a moment described in the Gospel of John, but first some thoughts on this book by John:

• One can get lost in the word pictures painted by the author of the Gospel of John, who I do believe was the Apostle John. John, the youngest of the Apostles, and the one who lived the longest life on this earth. John, who walk away from a family commercial fishing enterprise to shepherd early believers in Jesus Christ. John, who walked with Jesus as a young man and authored the Gospel of John as an old man; an old man of wisdom and mystic insight, whom the Holy Spirit led to author a story of “good news” that is unlike the other stories, for the focus is on the spiritual understanding of an event rather than its chronological order; spiritual facts rather than physical facts (though they may be the same).
• Consider this: John would have been familiar with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The Holy Spirit had inspired the other authors to give specific perspectives for the intended audience on the chronology of events – and the same Spirit helped John to navigate to a point in life where he was both spiritually wise, and, most importantly, a master story teller. Keep these things in mind when wandering through the stories in the Gospel of John. Why? Well because when John says something happened at night, he is more probably focused on the aspect of doing something under cover of darkness, then on the time of the day. Oh, and if a number is involved … if John “bothers” to ensure a number rises in your mind when you digest one of his stories, then likely there is a reason: That reason may be, to us, cloaked in ancient mystic culture, but John’s writings do not just mention a number for the sole purpose of mathematical accuracy: it is not about the “count”.

Now on to the closing chapter of the Gospel of John, Chapter 21 from World English Bible (WEB):

First a snippet of verses that give rise to our introduction about staring into a fire … then we will read more for context.

John 21:9-11

9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

Comment: Keep in mind those 153 fish, and the previous thoughts about John using numbers with intent – the intent is not to provide an accurate count (although it may well be very accurate … that is NOT the point of mentioning a number).

World English Bible

Now we read a little more —

John 21:12-14

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.

Comment: Another number to keep an eye on: three.

World English Bible

Now —

John 21:15-17

15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Comment: Some other stuff to Ponder: Simon bar (son of) Jonah — I though Jesus renamed Simon Cephas, or Peter, the “Rock” — & we have “3” again.

World English Bible

Peter’s déjà vu: Flash back to John 13 and John 18 —

John 13:36-38

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.”

John 18:15-18

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.

John 18:25-27

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “You aren’t also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed.

World English Bible

Before try to put ourselves inside Peter’s mind … let us now read John 21 from start to finish, then pick up our pondering:

John 21:

1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.

4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. 7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.

9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.

15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus sincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21 Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.

25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

World English Bible

SO …

Peter walked away from a lucrative business enterprise … (Biblical: Simon and Andrew were in partnership with James and John, and father Zebedee. Extra Biblical: Peter’s house, which became the location of the first church in Capernaum, is a respectable businessman’s home near the port commercial fishing district.)

… Walked away to follow a man the religious leaders of the day distrusted, no – more like hated, and had put to death. Peter promised this Jesus that he would lay down his life for him … and then he ran, and denied he even knew Jesus – three times, as predicted by Jesus. Peter’s world fell apart, and the apostles were hiding for fear of being arrested and killed. Then Jesus rises from the dead, and appears to the apostles, including Peter. We know little about Jesus’ words to Peter in these previous meetings … but, it appears Peter, and six other apostles who, probably, were also related to the fishing business in Capernaum were still a bit dazed and confused: The previous post-resurrection appearances of Jesus happened around Jerusalem. Now the setting changes about 75 miles away, the 7 guys are back on the fishing boats on the lake called the Sea of Galilee, or Sea of Tiberias, apparently initially just hanging out on the home grounds trying to decided what was next — And Peter says … “Going fishing” and the others join him.

Ultimately, in the scene, Peter ends up standing around another charcoal fire, but this time Jesus is present. A resurrected Jesus, who is clearly God, who predicted Peter would deny him 3 times, and Peter did so while warming himself around just such a charcoal fire. Peter is having a critical déjà vu moment, and this perfect man – perfect God, Jesus, knows precisely what is going through Peter’s mind, and what makes Peter “tick”.

Jesus does not blatantly and bluntly remind Peter of his dismal failure, but rather we see Jesus, who had told Simon his new name as a follower of the Christ was Cephas, or Peter, the “Rock” – well Jesus addresses him by his “old” name, as “Simon bar Jonah”. This is a very subtle way of tell him they both know that Peter has, essentially, “put on his old self”. Jesus’ way of letting Peter know that Jesus understands fully the flashbacks and turmoil going on in Peter’s mind: the regrets, remorse and feelings of loss. Then, just as Peter had renounced Jesus three times, Jesus gives Peter (from Peter’s perceptive) three opportunities to “undo” the damage (there are nuances in the Greek to these questions which are not apparent in English, we will get to that in a few moments).

Jesus, artfully, in a kind manner, not only restores a broken man, but actually promotes him (evangelist to shepherd of evangelists and the church) to the position planned for him from the foundation of the world. We will, as stated earlier, get to the nuances related to Greek words for love, later. For now, focus on some other things: Like verse 15, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”, begs the question “more than WHO?” Well, more than the other apostles who were present, but which nuance? Did Peter loved Jesus more than the other apostles loved Jesus, or did Peter love Jesus more than he loved the other apostles? Jesus is establishing some key concepts here … it is always about one’s love for Jesus, so it is about Peter’s verses the others’ love for Jesus.

Notice as well the responses to Peter’s answers: “Feed my lambs”, “Tend my sheep”, and “Feed my sheep”. Previously Jesus had set Peter’s role as a “fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17), essentially an evangelist … now that role changes, to “shepherd”. With Jesus’ three questions, Peter’s answers, and Jesus’ response we see Peter’s role redefined, with more responsibility for others than before, he is now responsible for tending to the needs of the evangelists, and the church, he has been chosen to lead. Jesus did NOT ask these questions so that He could discern Peter’s heart, but rather to help Peter discern his own heart, and sort out the horrible regret experienced in this déjà vu moment.

Peter needed to understand that he was not bound to, nor limited by, his past failure. Jesus knew Peter loved him, and at what level. These questions help Peter discover his love for Christ. They help him come to grips with being “human”. A human, like you and I, who seeks a place of refuge when things do not turn out as expected – a human with a their own peculiar vice or love that pulls them away to a place of isolation when things get rough. Peter’s refuge and vice was the love of fishing: when things seemed to be falling apart he led his troupe of like minded fishermen back to those familiar things, and they “went fishin’” (notice though, they caught nothing). All of these men walked with Jesus, but did not fully comprehend His walk, saw him crucified, then arisen from the grave, were given His commission, and received the in-breathed Spirit from Jesus, but just still did not “get it”. As with Peter, Christ knows exactly where to find us when we fail – AND He will go there to find us: Remember in Mark 16 :7 An agent of God told the women at the tomb —

“Mark 16:7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.'” ← Comment: Note the emphasis on Peter, and meeting them in Galilee – you are reading the story where that comes true.

World English Bible

So, now let us look at the Greek nuances of the question and answer session between Peter and Jesus:

(Note that many English translation use the word “love” throughout this exchange, the WEB we are using attempts to clarify the Greek by using “affection” where “brotherly love” is used, and “love” where “selfless love” is used. There are as many as 7 terms in Greek that would translate to English as some type of “love”. Here the focus is on two types: Agapaó love, or the discriminating affection which involves choice and selection, essentially the love of esteem – love of man for God as defined by God, and Phileó love, or the brotherly – friendship love or affection (hence Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love).

In Peter’s head = I denied Jesus three times, now three times I can honor Him, and the truth in me, by acknowledging within me is currently phileó for Christ, not the agapaó I desire and professed … and then ran away and denied Christ, three times. In my failure the best I have is phileó. Now I hear “Well then, out of your phileó for me, provide food for my lambs.” AND “Well then, out of your phileó for me, tend (provide all that is needful) for my sheep.”

AND most importantly, “You desire to faithfully respond with agapaó, but honestly know you can only muster, at this time, phileó, that does not define you for eternity; the agapaó you seek is found in walking in the steps I created for you at the foundation of the world. Want agapaó, then the path to it, is in “tending my sheep”.

So a little more detailed trip through John 21:

John 21: (comments added in these brackets { … } )

1 After these things {What things? – crucifixion, resurrection, previous appearances of the resurrected Jesus}, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together {7, probably all fishermen, the complete number God designed, to see to the entirety of the gentile nations of Christ. A number again, seven = completeness, perfection, the number of God – also, the Hebrew perspective of the time that there are 7 general “nations of gentiles” (little flash back here to the feeding of the 5,000 in Hebrew territory with 12 baskets of left overs, one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel, and the feeding of the 4,000 taking place in gentile territory with 7 baskets of left overs, one for each of the 7 gentile nations). A lot packed into that 7, mystically, pondering leads towards a meaning: The 7 here are the perfect, or complete, number selected by God to assure the complete complement, ordained by God, of the gentile nations, are gathered into God’s church – not implying the other 5 apostles are not relevant, after all God’s church is not just the gentiles. Seven apostles who, when faced with adversity, doubted their calling, ran away from it, and resumed their old lives. Does that remind you of anyone? Maybe, someone in the mirror?}. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. {We go back to the familiar when we think we have failed … but we feel empty. After feeling and answering Christ’s call, going back to that “safe space” gets us a big nothing burger.}

4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.{Wow, something to ponder later … many verses attest that the risen Christ was not always recognized by those who knew Him best … Oh and empty nets just like the empty jars of wine at the wedding feast (John 2), when we get to the “world of nada, nothing” the miracles of God are there, like Jesus . No wine, no fish, no life: That’s when Jesus showed himself.} 5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?”{Wow, ya think you could, unrecognized, get away with calling a bunch of bummed-out commercial fishermen “children”? Well, the Greek = teknon (children), if used here would probably trigger just such a reaction. However, the Greek used is paidia = suggests a familiar relationship with those addressed being our little children in training. Jesus is using “fisherman” talk, something the guys understand as as being good-natured ribbing by an equal an equal} They answered him, “No.” {No good results from stewing in one’s own darkness, as in fishing at night} 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. 7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked) {Well, our author, John, does not mention such a detail for no reason … so, we see another story of Peter getting out of the boat in Matthew 14, he basically demands Christ do a miracle “… command me to come to you on the water …”, and fails: that has to be on his mind now, no demands but rather clothing himself with humility, and an urgency to go to his Lord, the Lord who has come to find him in his self-exile.}, and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.{The risen Lord is never far away.}

9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals {flashback for Peter} there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three {Here we see one of those inspirations of the Spirit, for it is KNOWN John mentions numbers for a reasons other than math. It has prompted many spiritual people to ponder wonderful things about this, and the pondering may be the only point – getting us to ponder the depths of God’s Word. However, the most logical pondering arrives at the concept that “those of that time” considered the Sea of Galilee to host 153 species of fish – so this symbolizes that these “fishers of men” are to bring in “all the kinds of fish” … the call is not limited to Hebrews for evangelism, but all of humankind.}; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn {Ponder: the net is the church, the large catch is Christian converts, the church can stand the strain of bringing in ALL of the catch}.

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time {Three, the number of the trinity … God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit have a hand in this.} that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.

15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah {Peter’s old name, for he has returned to his old nature.}, do you love me more than these?”{Item addressed earlier – “IAE”} He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” {IAE} He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” {IAE} 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” {IAE} He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” {IAE} He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”{IAE} 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” {IAE} Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” {IAE} He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” {IAE} Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” {IAE}

{Well enough for now … Ponder the completion of this book, below, on another day}

18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus sincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21 Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” {W23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.

25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

World English Bible