ACC ~ John 21 v1 - 2

THE DISCIPLES ARE FREE TO MOVE ABOUT AND WORK

CHRYSOSTOM: Do you see that he does not remain with them continually, nor is his presence with them the same as before? He appeared, for instance, in the evening, and then disappeared. Then after eight days he appeared once again, and again he disappeared. Then he appeared later again by the sea, and then another time, causing great awe. But what does John mean when he says Jesus “showed” himself? It is clear from this that he was not seen unless he condescended to be seen because his body was from this time forward incorruptible and of unmixed purity. But why has the writer mentioned the place? To show that he had now taken away the greater part of their fear so that they now ventured out from their home and went about everywhere. For they were no longer shut up at home but had gone into Galilee to avoid danger from the Jews. Simon, therefore, comes to fish. For since neither [Christ] was with them continually, nor was the Spirit yet given, nor were they at that time yet entrusted with anything and so had nothing to do, they returned to their trade. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 87.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:328**; PG 59:475.

WHY RETURN TO FISHING?

GREGORY THE GREAT: We may ask why Peter, who was a fisherman before his conversion, returned to fishing, when it is said, “No one putting his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” [1] FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 24. [2]

[1] Lk 9:62.

[2] CS 123:180**.

THE DISCIPLES CONTINUE TO EARN A LIVELIHOOD

AUGUSTINE: If the disciples had done this when Jesus was lying in the grave and before he rose from the dead … we might think they did so out of despair. But now after he has risen from the grave, after seeing the marks of his wounds … after he breathed the Holy Spirit on them … all at once they become what they were before, fishers, not of people but of fishes. We must remember then that they were not forbidden by their apostleship from earning their livelihood by a lawful use of their skills, provided they had no other means of living. … For if the blessed Paul did not use that power that he had with the rest of the preachers of the gospel, as they did, but went to warfare using his own resources in case the Gentiles, who were aliens from the name of Christ, might be offended at an apparently minor doctrine; if, educated in another way, he learned a craft he never knew before so that, while the teacher worked with his own hands, the hearer might not be burdened—how much more might Peter, who had been a fisherman, work at what he knew if he had nothing else to live on at the time? But how is it that he had nothing, someone will ask, when our Lord promises, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? [1] Our Lord, we answer, fulfilled this promise by bringing them the fishes to catch, for who else brought them? He did not bring on them that poverty that obliged them to go fishing, except in order to exhibit a miracle. TRACTATE ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 122.2-4. [2]

[1] Mt 6:33.

[2] NPNF 1 7:439-40**.

RETURNING TO WORK AFTER CONVERSION

GREGORY THE GREAT: We know that Peter was a fisherman, whereas Matthew was a tax collector. Peter returned to fishing after his conversion, but Matthew did not again sit down to his business of tax collecting, because it is one thing to seek to make a living by fishing and another to increase one’s gains by money from the tax office. [1] For there are some businesses that cannot—or hardly can—be carried on without sin. And these cannot be returned to after conversion. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 24. [2]

[1] At that time, this job was often abused for economic gain.

[2] CS 123:180**.

THE DISCIPLES BOUND TO ONE ANOTHER

CHRYSOSTOM: Having then nothing to do, they went fishing, and they did this at night because they were terribly frightened. Luke also mentions this, [1] but this is not the same occasion. And the other disciples followed because from that time on they were bound to one another, and at the same time desired to see the fishing and use their leisure time well. While they were working and tired, Jesus presents himself before them and does not reveal himself all at once so that they enter into conversation with him. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 87.2. [2]

[1] Lk 24:37.

[2] NPNF 1 14:328**; PG 59:475.

Jn