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JOHN 21:4 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 21:3John 21:5
“But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.”
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus — the moment of Jesus' appearance (orthē, stood on beach) occurs at dawn, transitioning from night's unproductive darkness. The disciples' non-recognition (ouk idō hoti Jesus estin) parallels Mary's failure to recognize the risen Jesus; resurrection appearances require revelation, not mere visual perception. The beach setting (aiges, shore) creates spatial separation that heightens the dramatic encounter.

Church Fathers on John 21:4

The preceding words of the Evangelist seem to indicate the end of the book, but He goes on farther to give an account of our Lord’s appearance by the sea of Tiberias: After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias.

Augustine · 4th century

He says, Afterwards, because He did not go continually with His disciples as before; and, manifested Himself, because His body being incorruptible, it was a condescension to allow Himself to be seen. He mentions the place, to show that our Lord had taken away a good deal of their fear, and that they no longer kept within doors, though they had gone to Galilee to avoid the persecution of the Jews.

Chrysostom · 4th century

The Evangelist, after his wont, first states the thing itself, and then says how it took place: And on this wise showed He Himself.

Bede · 8th century
Read all 26 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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