John 21: Breakfast by the Sea

Seven disciples fish all night and catch nothing. At dawn Jesus tells them to cast the net on the right side, and they catch 153 large fish. Jesus makes breakfast for them on a charcoal fire. Three times He asks Peter, Do you love Me? and three times tells him to feed His sheep, restoring Peter after his denials. John ends by saying that the world could not hold all the books about what Jesus did.

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Read John 21

World English Bible · 25 verses

¹ After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ This saying therefore went out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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John 21 · Preschool

Breakfast with Jesus

Name Date

Color the picture. Point to the fire, the fish and the bread.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.”

John 21:13 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Jesus takes care of us!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

John 21 · Grade 4

Peter Is Restored

Name Date

Read and Think

After the resurrection, seven disciples went back to fishing. They worked all night and caught nothing. At daybreak Jesus called from the shore and told them where to cast. The net filled with fish. This was just like the day Jesus first called Peter, as Luke tells. The beloved disciple recognized Jesus. Peter was so eager he jumped in and swam to shore.

Jesus had already made a charcoal fire with fish and bread. The last time Peter stood by a charcoal fire, he denied Jesus. Now Jesus served him breakfast. Jesus is the host who feeds His people.

Then Jesus asked Peter three times, Do you love me? Peter had denied Him three times, so Jesus gave him three chances to affirm his love. Each time Jesus gave Peter a job: Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep, Feed my sheep. Peter was forgiven and given work to do. Jesus told Peter that one day he would glorify God by his death. Then He said, Follow me. John ends by saying the whole world could not hold all the books about what Jesus did.

Show What You Know

How was the great catch like an earlier event?
Why is the charcoal fire important?
Why did Jesus ask Peter three times?
What did Jesus give Peter along with forgiveness?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

fishfirebreadsevenlove

After the resurrection, disciples went back to fishing.
The net filled with .
Jesus had already made a charcoal fire with fish and .
The last time Peter stood by a charcoal , he denied Jesus.
Then Jesus asked Peter three times, Do you me?

Think About It

Jesus forgave Peter and gave him a job. How does Jesus' forgiveness give you a fresh start?
Jesus said, Follow me. What does following Jesus look like for you this week?

Memory Verse

“Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.”

John 21:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Who could you make up with this week?
How can you care for others?
How can you obey Jesus right where you are?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

John 21 · Grade 5

Follow Me

Name Date

Read and Think

John 21 is an epilogue that shows how the risen Jesus restores a failed disciple. Seven disciples fished all night on the Sea of Tiberias and caught nothing. At dawn, a stranger told them to cast on the right side, and the net filled with 153 large fish. The miracle echoed Peter's original call in Luke 5. The beloved disciple said, It's the Lord! Peter threw himself into the sea to reach Jesus. Remarkably, the net was not torn, a picture of the gospel gathering many people without losing one.

On shore Jesus had prepared a charcoal fire with fish and bread. Jesus said, Come and eat breakfast. Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. The risen Lord served His disciples just as He had fed the five thousand. The charcoal fire also recalls the fire where Peter denied Jesus. Jesus meets us in the place of our failure.

Three times Jesus asked, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? Peter, once boastful, humbly answered, Lord, you know everything. Three affirmations matched three denials. Each answer brought a commission to shepherd Jesus' flock. The Good Shepherd was making Peter a shepherd under Him. Jesus also foretold that Peter would glorify God by his death. When Peter asked about the disciple Jesus loved, Jesus said, You follow me. Each disciple must follow Jesus without comparing his path to another's. The book closes by affirming that the beloved disciple's testimony is true and that Jesus did so much more than any books could contain.

Show What You Know

What earlier event did the great catch of fish echo?
What might the untorn net picture?
How does Jesus serving breakfast connect to John 6?
How had Peter changed, based on his answers?
What did Jesus mean by You follow me when Peter asked about the disciple Jesus loved?

Crossword

Across

Jesus told Peter to feed His ____ and sheep.
Throw it on the right side.
Jesus stood on the ____.

Down

Jesus asked Peter three times, Do you ____ Me?
How many disciples went fishing.
Jesus cooked ____ and bread.

Think About It

Jesus restored Peter at a charcoal fire, the place that reminded him of failure. How does Jesus bring healing to our failures?
Do you ever compare your life with someone else's? How does Jesus' word You follow me help?

Memory Verse

“Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.”

John 21:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does Jesus' forgiveness teach you about second chances?
How can you care for others in your church?
Jesus told Peter how he would one day glorify God. How can you trust Jesus with a future you cannot see?

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John 21: Breakfast by the Sea

Read John 21

Worksheets

Breakfast with Jesus

Prayer

Take It Home

Breakfast with Jesus

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Do You Love Me?

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Jesus Makes Breakfast

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Feed My Sheep

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Peter Is Restored

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Follow Me

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options