John 21:4

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

John 21:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
ESV
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
NLT
4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.
MSG
4 When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn't recognize him.
CSB
4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know it was Jesus.

John 21:4 Meaning and Commentary

John 21:4

But when the morning was now come
The day began to dawn, and light to appear, very early in the morning; for Christ visits his right early, and is a present help to them in their time of trouble.

Jesus stood on the shore:
on firm ground, whilst his disciples were beating about in the waves, and toiling to no purpose. So Christ, risen from the dead, is glorified, is in heaven; but not unmindful of his people amidst all their afflictions in this world:

but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus;
though he was so near them that they could hear what he said; but it not being broad daylight they could not distinctly discern him, or their eyes might be held that they could not know him. So Christ is sometimes near his people, and they know it not.

John 21:4 In-Context

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Luke 24:16; John 20:14
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