ACC ~ John 21 v12 - 14

OVERVIEW:

Jesus ate with his disciples on the shore just as the bodies of the just will eat, not because they need to, but because they want to (AUGUSTINE). The disciples were in awe of him because he no longer shielded his divine power from them (CHRYSOSTOM). Just like the meal they were eating on the shore, Christ is the broiled fish who suffered and is consumed; he is the bread that came down from heaven (AUGUSTINE). The seven disciples present for this meal signify the future eschatological banquet when all things will be brought to perfection (GREGORY THE GREAT). John speaks of this appearance of Jesus as the “third time,” which is a reference to manifestations of Jesus, not to days, since Jesus obviously appeared to his disciples more than three times (AUGUSTINE). All these appearances only cause us to look forward even more to our own resurrection (CHRYSOSTOM).

21:12 | Come and Eat

RESURRECTED BODIES EAT OUT OF DESIRE, NOT NECESSITY

AUGUSTINE: The bodies of the righteous at the resurrection will need neither any fruit to preserve them from dying of disease or the wasting decay of old age nor any bodily nourishment to prevent hunger and thirst. For they will be endowed with such a sure and inviolable gift of immortality that they will not eat because they have to, but only if they want to. Not the power but the necessity of eating and drinking shall be taken away from them … just like our Savior after his resurrection took meat and drink with his disciples, with spiritual but still real flesh, not for the sake of nourishment, but in an exercise of his power. CITY OF GOD 13.22. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 2:256-57**.

THEY WERE IN AWE

CHRYSOSTOM: “They knew that it was the Lord,” and therefore they did not ask him, “Who are you?” But seeing that his form was altered and full of awe, they were greatly amazed and wanted to ask something about it. But fear, and their knowledge that he was not someone else but the same person, checked the inquiry, and they only ate what he created for them by exercising greater power than before. For here he no longer looks to heaven, nor does he perform those human acts he did before, thereby showing that those things that he did previously were done by way of condescension. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 87.2. [1]

[1] ESUS IS INFORMED THAT LAZARUS IS SICK | JOHN 11:1-5

21:13-14 | Jesus Feeds the Seven Disciples

BREAD ALLUDES TO THE SACRAMENT

AUGUSTINE: Mystically, the broiled fish is Christ who suffered. And he is the bread that came down from heaven. [1] The church is united to his body in order to participate in everlasting blessedness. This is why he says, “Bring of the fish that you have now caught,” in order to signify that all of us who have this hope and are in that number seven of disciples, which represents the universal church here, partake of this great sacrament and are admitted to this bliss. TRACTATE ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 123.2. [2]

[1] See Jn 6:41.

[2] NPNF 1 7:444*.

SEVEN DISCIPLES SIGNIFY THE ESCHATOLOGICAL BANQUET

GREGORY THE GREAT: By holding this last feast with seven disciples … he declares that only those who are full of the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit shall be with him at his eternal feast. All time here on this earth unrolls in seven days, and the number seven indicates those who now rise above earthly things in their pursuit of perfection. It signifies those who are not bound by love of this world, who when tempted by anything at all do not suppress the [positive] desires that have arisen in them. These are the ones who feast at this final banquet in the presence of Truth. … Desire then to be filled with the presence of this Spirit. Weigh carefully what you do now for its impact on your future at that banquet. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 24. [1]

[1] CS 123:184-85**.

JESUS’ POSTRESURRECTION APPEARANCES

AUGUSTINE: We find in the four Evangelists ten distinct appearances of the Lord to different persons after his resurrection: First was to the women near the sepulcher; [1] the second to the women returning from the sepulcher; [2] the third, to Peter; [3] the fourth, to the two going to Emmaus; [4] the fifth, to the large number in Jerusalem when Thomas was not present; [5] the sixth when Thomas saw him; [6] the seventh at the sea of Tiberias; [7] the eighth by all the Eleven on a mountain of Galilee mentioned by Matthew; [8] a ninth when for the last time he sat eating with the disciples; [9] a tenth when he was seen no longer on earth but lifted up in the cloud as he ascended into heaven. [10] HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 3.25.83. [11]

[1] Jn 20:14.

[2] Mt 28:9.

[3] Lk 24:36.

[4] Lk 24:15.

[5] Jn 20:19-24.

[6] Jn 20:26.

[7] Jn 21:1.

[8] Mt 28:16-17.

[9] Mk 16:14.

[10] Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50-51.

[11] NPNF 1 6:223-24**.

REFERENCE TO DAYS WHEN HE APPEARED

AUGUSTINE: [The “third time”] is a reference not to appearances but to days. In other words, the first day includes all of his manifestations of himself on the day of his resurrection, then the second day occurs eight days after that when Thomas saw and believed, and now the third day occurs with the draught of fishes. And afterward as often as he saw them up to the time of his ascension. TRACTATE ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 123.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:444**.

LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR RESURRECTION

CHRYSOSTOM: Perhaps when you heard these things, you glowed and called those happy who were then with him along with those who shall be with him at the day of the general resurrection. Let us then make every effort so that we may see that admirable face. For if when now we hear, we are so enflamed, and desire to have been in those days that he spent upon earth, and to have heard his voice and seen his face and to have approached and touched and ministered unto him—consider how great a thing it will be to see him no longer in a mortal body or doing human actions but with a bodyguard of angels, being ourselves also in a form of unmixed purity, and beholding him and enjoying the rest of that bliss which surpasses all language. Therefore I beseech you, let us use every means so as not to miss such glory. For nothing is difficult if we are willing, nothing burdensome if we apply ourselves. “If we endure, we shall also reign with him.” [1] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 87.3. [2]

[1] 2 Tim 2:12.

[2] NPNF 1 14:329*; PG 59:476.