How does John 21:14 connect with other resurrection accounts in the Gospels? Setting the Verse in Context John 21:14: “This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.” Counting the “Third Time” John counts only the appearances to the gathered disciples: - First: John 20:19–23 — evening of Resurrection Sunday, doors locked, Jesus stands among the ten. - Second: John 20:26–29 — eight days later, again in the locked room, this time with Thomas present. - Third: John 21:1–14 — at the Sea of Tiberias, early morning, seven disciples fishing. How the Other Gospels Record These Same Moments • Matthew 28:16-20 parallels John’s third appearance: the disciples meet Jesus in Galilee, receive the Great Commission. John zooms in on one lakeside meal; Matthew zooms out to the mountaintop commission. • Mark 16:14 condenses the first two Johannine appearances into one summary statement: “Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were reclining at the table.” • Luke 24:36-43 matches John 20:19-23 — Jesus appears in Jerusalem, shows His hands and feet, eats fish. Luke then adds the Emmaus road and Bethany ascension, giving a fuller Jerusalem-to-Galilee arc. Key Threads Linking John 21:14 to the Synoptics - Physical reality of the risen body (Luke 24:39-43; John 20:27; 21:9-13). - Commissioning theme (Matthew 28:18-20; John 20:21-23; 21:15-17). - Transition from fear to mission (Mark 16:14-15; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19, 21). - Prophetic fulfillment and Scripture opening (Luke 24:27, 44; John 20:9). - Restoration of individuals: Thomas’s faith (John 20), Peter’s reinstatement (John 21), women’s witness (Matthew 28:9-10). Why John Mentions “the Third Time” • Underscores reliability: multiple eyewitness meetings silence doubt (cf. Deuteronomy 19:15). • Bridges Jerusalem and Galilee scenes already noted in the Synoptics. • Prepares for Peter’s threefold restoration (John 21:15-17) by echoing a rhythm of threes. • Signals completion: the disciples now have enough encounters to be fully convinced and commissioned. Harmonized Sequence of Resurrection Appearances 1. Women at the tomb — Matthew 28:9-10; John 20:11-18. 2. Two on the Emmaus road — Luke 24:13-35. 3. First meeting with the ten — John 20:19-23; Luke 24:36-43. 4. Second meeting with the eleven (Thomas present) — John 20:26-29. 5. Third meeting with the seven by the lake — John 21:1-14. 6. Galilean mountain commissioning — Matthew 28:16-20. 7. Final Jerusalem/Bethany blessing and ascension — Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:3-12. Take-Home Connections - John 21:14 stitches his Gospel into the broader fabric of resurrection history recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. - Each Gospel highlights different details, yet all affirm the literal bodily resurrection witnessed repeatedly and in varied settings. - The rising crescendo of appearances moves the disciples from bewilderment to bold proclamation, a pattern meant to strengthen our own certainty and mission today. |
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