When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
Parallel translations
- WEB So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
- KJV As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and 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 told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
- 1 Kgs 19:5–6Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
- John 21:13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.
- John 18:18Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself.
- Mark 8:3If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.”
- Matt 4:11Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.
- Luke 12:29–31And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.