Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 21:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

For no ordinary signs were they which had taken place. What were they? First, that so many fish were caught; then, that the net did not break; then, that before they landed, the coals had been found, and fish laid thereon, and bread. For He no longer made things out of matter already subsisting, as, through a certain dispensation, He did before the Crucifixion. When therefore Peter knew Him, he threw down all, both fish and nets, and girded himself. Seest thou his respect and love? …

Homily on the Gospel of John 87 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

Again, in this passage, the writer of this book calls himself the beloved disciple----and he would seem to have been thus well beloved on account of his great discernment and purity of mind, and the keenness of his mental vision, and a disposition which enabled him readily to grasp the truth. And, in fact, he seized the meaning of the sign before the rest, and perceived Christ's Presence, and told the rest, entertaining not a shadow of doubt, but crying out to them with a very confident voice, It is the Lord. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 12 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Here again we find an indication of the distinctive qualities of the disciples: John was more perceptive, while Peter was more ardent. Therefore John was the first to recognize the Lord, while Peter was the first to hasten to Him. By girding himself, Peter expressed his reverence for Jesus, and by throwing himself into the sea, he displayed his love. For he did not hold back like the others, but set out swimming, even though they were about two hundred cubits from the shore. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Bede

The Evangelist alludes to himself here the same way he always does. He recognised our Lord either by the miracle, or by the sound of His voice, or the association of former occasions on which He found them fishing. Peter was naked in comparison with the usual dress he wore, in the sense in which we say to a person whom we meet thinly clad, You are quite bare. Peter was hare for convenience sake, as fishermen are in fishing. He went to Jesus with the ardour with which he did every thing: And did cast himself into the sea. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The Evangelist, having shown how the taking of the great number of fish lead the disciples to recognize Christ, now mentions the order in those recognizing him. First, he mentions John; then Peter; and then actions of the other disciples. John, being quick in understanding, recognized Christ at once. So he said to Peter, whom he loved more than the others, and also because Peter was above the others in rank, It is the Lord! …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

That disciple therefore says etc. Here the fourth point is noted, namely the recognition of the Lord by John: whence: That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved, that is John, says to Peter: It is the Lord. He therefore calls him Lord, because he showed himself powerful, and one whom all things obey, even the fish: and therefore to be feared, according to that passage in Malachi 1: "If I am the Lord, where is my fear?" For the disciples called him Lord: above in chapter 13: "You call me Master and Lord." Simon Peter therefore. …

Commentary on John, Chapter 21 ↗