So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
Parallel translations
- KJV As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
- BSB When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
- NKJV Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
- NASB So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already made and fish placed on it, and bread.
- NLT When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
On shore the disciples find Jesus has already prepared a fire with fish and bread. It matters because the risen Lord provides for and serves His disciples.
Overview
Before the disciples contribute their catch, Jesus has already made breakfast over a charcoal fire. The same word for charcoal fire appears at Peter's denial in 18:18, quietly setting the stage for his restoration. The scene shows the risen Christ caring for His followers' bodily needs. It pictures the Lord's gracious provision that precedes and exceeds human effort.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- John 21:10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
- 1 Kgs 19:5–6He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat!”
- John 21:13Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
- John 18:18Now 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.
- Mark 8:3If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way.”
- Matt 4:11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
- Luke 12:29–31Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 21:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.