John 21:14 - This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "John 21:14" mean?
John 21:14, "This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead," is a statement by the author of the Gospel of John to clarify where this appearance of Jesus fits in the chronology of resurrection appearances. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"This is now the third time...": This means that, according to John's Gospel, this is the third distinct occasion where the resurrected Jesus has made himself known to his disciples. It's important to remember that the Gospels don't all present the resurrection appearances in the same order or with the same level of detail.
"...that Jesus was revealed to his disciples...": The word "revealed" emphasizes that Jesus' appearances weren't simply a matter of people seeing him. There was a supernatural element, a deliberate act of self-disclosure by Jesus to make himself known to them. It suggests that his resurrected body might have looked different or that he chose when and how to manifest himself.
"...after he had risen from the dead": This is the core fact: Jesus has been resurrected. This is the central event upon which Christian faith rests. The appearances are evidence of this resurrection.
Why is this "counting" important?
Emphasis on the reality of the resurrection: By specifically noting this as the third appearance, the author emphasizes the repeated and verifiable (at least to the disciples) reality of Jesus' resurrection. It's not a one-off hallucination or a fleeting vision.
Establishing a timeline (within John's Gospel): It gives readers a sense of the chronology of events after the resurrection, as understood within the context of John's Gospel.
What are the other two appearances in John's Gospel?
According to the Gospel of John, the two previous appearances were:
1. To Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18): Mary discovers the empty tomb and encounters Jesus, initially mistaking him for the gardener. He reveals himself to her, and she is sent to tell the other disciples.
2. To the disciples (without Thomas) (John 20:19-23): Jesus appears to the disciples in a locked room, showing them his hands and side, breathing on them, and giving them the Holy Spirit with authority to forgive sins.
Important Considerations
Differences between Gospels: The other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record different resurrection appearances in different locations and to different people. This is not necessarily a contradiction, but rather a matter of different authors focusing on different aspects of the same event, or different traditions about the appearances.
Theological Significance: These appearances were not just to prove that Jesus was alive. They were opportunities for Jesus to:
Reassure his disciples after his crucifixion.
Instruct them further regarding their mission.
Bestow authority upon them to continue his work.
Confirm his identity as the Messiah.
In summary, John 21:14 highlights the continuing reality of the resurrected Jesus, the supernatural nature of his appearances, and the author's attempt to situate this particular encounter within the narrative of the post-resurrection events as recorded in John's Gospel. It underscores the transformative power of the resurrection and its importance for the disciples and for the ongoing mission of the church.
John 21:14 - This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
What does "John 21:14" mean?
John 21:14, "This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead," is a statement by the author of the Gospel of John to clarify where this appearance of Jesus fits in the chronology of resurrection appearances. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"This is now the third time...": This means that, according to John's Gospel, this is the third distinct occasion where the resurrected Jesus has made himself known to his disciples. It's important to remember that the Gospels don't all present the resurrection appearances in the same order or with the same level of detail.
"...that Jesus was revealed to his disciples...": The word "revealed" emphasizes that Jesus' appearances weren't simply a matter of people seeing him. There was a supernatural element, a deliberate act of self-disclosure by Jesus to make himself known to them. It suggests that his resurrected body might have looked different or that he chose when and how to manifest himself.
"...after he had risen from the dead": This is the core fact: Jesus has been resurrected. This is the central event upon which Christian faith rests. The appearances are evidence of this resurrection.
Why is this "counting" important?
Emphasis on the reality of the resurrection: By specifically noting this as the third appearance, the author emphasizes the repeated and verifiable (at least to the disciples) reality of Jesus' resurrection. It's not a one-off hallucination or a fleeting vision.
Establishing a timeline (within John's Gospel): It gives readers a sense of the chronology of events after the resurrection, as understood within the context of John's Gospel.
What are the other two appearances in John's Gospel?
According to the Gospel of John, the two previous appearances were:
1. To Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18): Mary discovers the empty tomb and encounters Jesus, initially mistaking him for the gardener. He reveals himself to her, and she is sent to tell the other disciples.
2. To the disciples (without Thomas) (John 20:19-23): Jesus appears to the disciples in a locked room, showing them his hands and side, breathing on them, and giving them the Holy Spirit with authority to forgive sins.
Important Considerations
Differences between Gospels: The other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record different resurrection appearances in different locations and to different people. This is not necessarily a contradiction, but rather a matter of different authors focusing on different aspects of the same event, or different traditions about the appearances.
Theological Significance: These appearances were not just to prove that Jesus was alive. They were opportunities for Jesus to:
Reassure his disciples after his crucifixion.
Instruct them further regarding their mission.
Bestow authority upon them to continue his work.
Confirm his identity as the Messiah.
In summary, John 21:14 highlights the continuing reality of the resurrected Jesus, the supernatural nature of his appearances, and the author's attempt to situate this particular encounter within the narrative of the post-resurrection events as recorded in John's Gospel. It underscores the transformative power of the resurrection and its importance for the disciples and for the ongoing mission of the church.