New International VersionWhen they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
New Living TranslationWhen they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
English Standard VersionWhen they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.
Berean Standard BibleWhen they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
Berean Literal BibleSo when they got out onto the land, they see a fire of coals lying, and a fish lying on it, and bread.
King James BibleAs soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
New King James VersionThen, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
New American Standard BibleSo when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already made and fish placed on it, and bread.
NASB 1995So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.
NASB 1977And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread.
Legacy Standard BibleSo when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire in place and fish placed on it, and bread.
Amplified BibleSo when they got out on the beach, they saw a charcoal fire set up and fish on it cooking, and bread.
Christian Standard BibleWhen they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.
American Standard VersionSo when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Contemporary English VersionWhen the disciples got out of the boat, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it.
English Revised VersionSo when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen they went ashore, they saw a fire with a fish lying on the coals, and they saw a loaf of bread.
Good News TranslationWhen they stepped ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread.
International Standard VersionWhen they arrived at the shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish lying on it, and some bread.
NET BibleWhen they got out on the beach, they saw a charcoal fire ready with a fish placed on it, and bread.
New Heart English BibleSo when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish placed on it, and bread.
Webster's Bible TranslationAs soon then as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid upon them, and bread.
Weymouth New TestamentAs soon as they landed, they saw a charcoal fire burning there, with fish broiling on it, and bread close by. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
World English BibleSo when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwhen, therefore, they came to the land, they behold a fire of coals lying [there], and a fish lying on it, and bread.
Berean Literal BibleSo when they got out onto the land, they see a fire of coals lying, and a fish lying on it, and bread.
Young's Literal Translation when, therefore, they came to the land, they behold a fire of coals lying, and a fish lying on it, and bread.
Smith's Literal TranslationWhen therefore they came away to the land, they see a heap of burning coals laid, and little fish laid upon, and bread. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs soon then as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen, when they climbed down to the land they saw burning coals prepared, and fish already placed above them, and bread.
New American BibleWhen they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
New Revised Standard VersionWhen they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen they landed, they saw burning coals set, and a fish laid on them, and bread.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut when they came up to the land they saw burning coals, which had been set, and fish were lying on them, and bread. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAs soon as they had come to the land, they saw there a fire of coals, and fish lying upon it, and bread.
Godbey New TestamentThen when they came to the land, they see fire lying, and fish and bread lying on it.
Haweis New TestamentWhen therefore they were come to land, they saw a fire laid, and a fish upon it, and a loaf.
Mace New Testamentassoon as they were come to land, they saw fish frying upon a fire of coals there, and bread.
Weymouth New TestamentAs soon as they landed, they saw a charcoal fire burning there, with fish broiling on it, and bread close by.
Worrell New TestamentWhen, therefore, they went out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish lying thereon, and bread.
Worsley New TestamentAnd as soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire laid, and fish upon it, and bread.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Jesus Appears by the Sea of Tiberias… 8The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards. 9Whenthey landed,they sawa charcoal firetherewithfishon it,andsome bread.10Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”…
Cross References Luke 24:42-43So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, / and He took it and ate it in front of them.
John 6:9-13“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” / “Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. / Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. ...
Matthew 14:19-21And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. / They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. / About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.
Mark 6:41-44Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And He divided the two fish among them all. / They all ate and were satisfied, / and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ...
Luke 9:16-17Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. / They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
John 6:1-14After this, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias). / A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick. / Then Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with His disciples. ...
Acts 10:41not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
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.
John 13:4-5So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. / After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.
1 Kings 19:6And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.
Exodus 16:13-15That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. / When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.
Numbers 11:7-9Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. / The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. / When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.
1 Samuel 2:15Even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast, because he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.”
1 Kings 17:6The ravens would bring him bread and meat in the morning and evening, and he would drink from the brook.
2 Kings 4:42-44Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.
Treasury of Scripture As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. they saw. 1 Kings 19:5,6 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Ariseand eat… Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. Jump to Previous AlreadyBreadBurningCharcoalCloseCoalsCookingFireFishLaidPlacedSoonThereonJump to Next AlreadyBreadBurningCharcoalCloseCoalsCookingFireFishLaidPlacedSoonThereonJohn 21 1.Jesus appearing again to his disciples is known of them by the great catch of fish.12.He dines with them;15.earnestly commands Peter to feed his lambs and sheep;18.foretells him of his death;22.rebukes his curiosity.24.The conclusion.When they landedThis phrase indicates the disciples' arrival on the shore after a night of fishing. The Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias, is the setting, a significant location in Jesus' ministry. This event occurs after Jesus' resurrection, highlighting His continued presence and guidance in the disciples' lives. they saw a charcoal fire there
The charcoal fire is reminiscent of the fire Peter warmed himself by during Jesus' trial (John 18:18). This setting may evoke Peter's denial, setting the stage for his restoration later in the chapter. Charcoal fires were common for cooking, indicating a prepared meal. with fish on it
Fish is a staple in the diet of those living around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus' provision of fish here mirrors the miraculous catch earlier in the chapter and recalls the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14), emphasizing His role as provider. Fish also became an early Christian symbol, representing believers and the mission to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). and some bread
Bread, a basic sustenance, is significant in Jesus' teachings, symbolizing His body and the Word of God (John 6:35). The presence of bread alongside fish recalls the Last Supper and the breaking of bread as a sign of fellowship and communion with Christ. This meal signifies Jesus' continued fellowship and provision for His disciples. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe resurrected Christ who appears to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His continued care and provision for them. 2. DisciplesSpecifically, Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two other disciples are present. They are returning from a night of fishing. 3. Sea of GalileeThe location where Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection, a familiar place of ministry and miracles. 4. Charcoal FireA specific detail that recalls Peter's denial of Jesus ( John 18:18) and sets the stage for his restoration. 5. Fish and BreadSymbolic of Jesus' provision and reminiscent of the feeding of the 5,000, highlighting His role as the provider. Teaching Points Jesus' ProvisionJesus provides for our needs, both physical and spiritual. Just as He prepared a meal for His disciples, He cares for us in our daily lives. Restoration and ForgivenessThe setting of the charcoal fire is a reminder of Peter's denial, yet it becomes a place of restoration. Jesus offers forgiveness and restoration to all who repent. Community and FellowshipThe shared meal signifies the importance of fellowship among believers. Gathering together strengthens our faith and encourages mutual support. Symbolism of Bread and FishThese elements remind us of Jesus' miracles and His identity as the Bread of Life. We are called to trust in His provision and share His abundance with others. Obedience and TrustThe disciples' obedience in casting their nets as instructed by Jesus led to a miraculous catch. Trusting and obeying Jesus leads to fruitful outcomes in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of John 21:9?
2.How does John 21:9 demonstrate Jesus' care for His disciples' physical needs?
3.What significance does the "charcoal fire" have in John 21:9 and elsewhere?
4.How can we emulate Jesus' hospitality shown in John 21:9 today?
5.What scriptural connections exist between John 21:9 and Jesus' previous miracles?
6.How does John 21:9 encourage us to trust in Jesus' provision daily?
7.What is the significance of Jesus preparing breakfast in John 21:9?
8.How does John 21:9 reflect Jesus' post-resurrection relationship with His disciples?
9.Why does John 21:9 emphasize the presence of a charcoal fire?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 21?
11.What are examples of miracles in the Bible?
12.Did Jesus consume meat?
13.John 21:15–17 – Why does Jesus repeat his question to Peter three times, and does this contradict or overlap inconsistently with Peter’s declarations in earlier chapters?
14.What lessons do Elijah and Elisha teach us?What Does John 21:9 Mean When they landed• “When they landed” grounds the scene in actual history—real men stepping out of a real boat onto a real shore (cf.Acts 27:44 for another literal, providential landing). • Their safe arrival fulfills Jesus’ earlier promise that He would meet them in Galilee after the resurrection (Matthew 28:7,10). • The disciples have just hauled in a miraculous catch (John 21:6), reminding us that obedience to Christ precedes the revelation now about to unfold.
they saw a charcoal fire there• The charcoal fire (“anthrakia,” a small, self-contained fire) immediately evokes Peter’s earlier failure beside another charcoal fire in the high priest’s courtyard (John 18:18). • God often revisits our failures, not to shame us but to restore us. Just as Elijah met God at the same mountain where Moses received the law (1 Kings 19:8;Exodus 19:20), Peter is about to meet grace where he once met defeat. • The fire also signals warmth and fellowship, pointing ahead to the spiritual warmth of Christian community (Acts 2:42).
with fish on it• Jesus already has fish before the disciples bring theirs, underscoring His self-sufficiency. He is never dependent on our resources (Psalm 50:12). • Yet He soon invites them to add some of their catch (John 21:10), illustrating partnership: the risen Lord provides, but He lets us participate (2 Corinthians 6:1). • Fish recalled His earlier miracles—feeding the 5,000 (John 6:9-13) and calling fishermen to become fishers of men (Luke 5:10). The same Savior who supplied then still supplies now.
and some bread• Bread links this breakfast to previous acts of divine provision: manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4) and the feeding miracles of Jesus (John 6:11). • The presence of bread and fish together echoes Jesus’ identity as “the bread of life” (John 6:35) and anticipates the ongoing communion of believers who break bread in remembrance of Him (Luke 24:30-31;Acts 20:7). • Physical nourishment here is a precursor to the spiritual nourishment Peter will receive moments later as Jesus restores and commissions him (John 21:15-17).
summaryJohn 21:9 paints a vivid, literal scene that blends the ordinary (landing, fire, breakfast) with the extraordinary presence of the risen Christ. Each element—the safe landing, the charcoal fire, the prepared fish, and the waiting bread—demonstrates Jesus’ faithful provision, purposeful restoration, and invitation to fellowship. The verse reassures believers that the Lord not only meets us in our labor but also prepares for our needs and our future service in His grace-filled company. (9) They saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.--In the original the tenses are present, describing the scene as it was impressed on the mind of the writer. They saw a fire of coals and fish lying thereon, and bread, or, perhaps,. . . . and a fish lying thereon, and a loaf.For "fire of coals" comp. Note onJohn 18:18. For the word rendered "fish," comp.John 21:10;John 21:13, and Notes onJohn 6:9;John 6:11. In this passage and inJohn 21:13 only it occurs in the singular, but it seems clear that it may be collective, as our word "fish." . . . Verse 9. - So when they were come to land (literally, with Revised Version, got out of the boat upon the land; א reads ἀνέβησαν instead of ἀπέβησαν), they see a fire of coals there. The word ἀνθρακία occurs only in John 18:18 and in this place. It is derived from ἄνθραξ, a "coal of fire," or burning charcoal. Observe the form κειμένην (of John 2:6), which implies that the burning brazier was placed there for a purpose. And fish laid thereon, and a loaf. ( Ὀψάριον and ὀψάρια, used both in the singular and the plural for the roast relish eaten with bread, and, by reason of the customary food of the people, is often used for "fish" or "fishes.") Our Lord was regarding the whole of this proceeding from the standing of one who would meet their hunger, and was conscious of power to feed the world in its utmost need. So the provision which was thus made in advance for the need of the disciples becomes symbolic of Christ's power to meet all the wants of the dying world. Numerous speculations have been hazarded about the method employed by our Lord to prepare this meal. The early Fathers, Chrysostom, Theophylact, with Grotius, have appealed to Christ's creative power. Luthardt thinks of the ministry of angels. Some have suggested that Peter prepared the hasty repast during the interval that elapsed between his landing on the shore and the approach of the boat. Our Lord, who knew how to arrange for the last supper with his disciples, and who had all the resources of Providence, and hosts of disciples along the shore, would, with superlative ease, and without revealing himself to strangers, have made this simple meal; and, with his knowledge of the ease, would have still delighted to act towards his beloved ones as at once their Host and their Minister. He simply prepared for his own what he has been doing ever since.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek WhenὩς(Hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.they landed,ἀπέβησαν(apebēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 576:From apo and the base of basis; literally, to disembark; figuratively, to eventuate.they sawβλέπουσιν(blepousin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 991:(primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.a charcoal fireἀνθρακιὰν(anthrakian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 439:A coal-fire, a heap of burning coals. From anthrax; a bed of burning coals.thereκειμένην(keimenēn)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2749:To lie, recline, be placed, be laid, set, specially appointed, destined. Middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched.[with]καὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.fishὀψάριον(opsarion)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3795:A little fish. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of optos; a relish to other food, i.e., fish.on it,ἐπικείμενον(epikeimenon)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1945:From epi and keimai; to rest upon.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[some] bread.ἄρτον(arton)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 740:Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.
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NT Gospels: John 21:9 So when they got out (Jhn Jo Jn) |
