Grouped scripture paragraphs, Divine Principle interpretation, and True Father’s words
This completes John. The scripture is shown first in grouped Bible-style paragraphs. Under the chapter, Divine Principle explains the providential meaning, and then True Father’s words are added as supporting guidance.
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
John 21 shows the risen Jesus continuing to guide the disciples after the crucifixion. In Divine Principle, this chapter is not merely a touching ending. It reveals the course of restoration after the people failed to unite with Jesus during his earthly ministry. Because the prepared foundation did not receive him fully, Jesus had to continue the providence after the resurrection through spiritual leadership and renewed commissions.
The catch of fish shows that human effort alone brought no lasting fruit, yet when the disciples responded to Jesus’ direction, abundance came. DP explains that restoration succeeds when human responsibility joins Heaven’s guidance. The disciples had failed before, but Heaven still reopened the way for them to participate.
When Jesus asks Peter three times, “Lovest thou me?” the repetition has providential weight. Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now he is restored through three affirmations of love and three commissions to care for the flock. DP often teaches that restoration moves through indemnity conditions that reverse prior failure. Peter is not merely comforted; he is recommissioned.
“Feed my lambs” and “Feed my sheep” show that love for Jesus must become public responsibility. In DP terms, faith must bear fruit in attendance, care, and leadership for others. Jesus is rebuilding a spiritual foundation through disciples who must now live for Heaven’s purpose rather than for themselves.
The chapter also points beyond the resurrection appearances themselves. The risen Jesus is alive and active, yet the full Kingdom was still not established on earth at that time. Divine Principle explains that Jesus’ victory after the cross opened the realm of spiritual salvation, while the complete earthly fulfillment of God’s ideal awaited the further providence of restoration.
True Father taught: “He came to restore the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.”
This helps explain why John 21 is bittersweet. Jesus is victorious, yet he is still working with disciples after the cross because the full earthly reception did not happen.
True Father said that after “crucifixion and resurrection, he spent 40 days on earth, creating the realm of spiritual salvation.”
This matches John 21, where the resurrected Jesus appears again, directs the disciples, and strengthens a spiritual foundation for the continuing providence.
True Father also said, “Jesus had to return to earth because he did not have a foundation on earth.”
This illuminates why John 21 matters. The providence was not finished simply because Jesus rose. Heaven still needed a people, a foundation, and a living response on earth.
From a Divine Principle reading, Peter’s restoration means that failure does not end Heaven’s work. True love, attendance, and responsibility can reopen the path. The call “Follow me” remains the central command.
Closing note: John ends with the risen Jesus restoring love, mission, and testimony. Divine Principle explains that this was a victorious yet secondary course after rejection. The chapter therefore calls believers not only to admire Jesus, but to love him, follow him, and build the earthly foundation that was left unfulfilled at that time.