John 21:5
Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus uses a tender word, "Children," not to reveal Himself immediately, but in a way that sounds like a friendly stranger asking a simple question. The term for "meat" specifically refers to something eaten with bread, highlighting that He's asking about the very thing they'd been trying, and failing, to catch.
Jesus, appearing to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, asks them in a friendly way if they have caught any fish. They don't recognize Him yet, and respond with a disheartening "No," having fished all night without success. This sets the stage for Jesus to provide an abundant catch, proving His divine power and love in their moment of weary failure.
Imagine this scene: the weary disciples, their nets empty after a long night. Then, a voice calls out from the shore. Who is it? And why use such a specific word?
Jesus, though not yet recognized by His disciples, addresses them with the tender term "Children" (Greek: paidia).
More Than Just a Word
This wasn't a generic greeting. It carried a warmth and intimacy that reflected their unique relationship with Him. It's a term of affectionate kindness, often used by an older person to younger ones, or someone with deep familiarity.
A Familiar Call
While it might seem unusual for a stranger, for Jesus, it was a way to draw them in, a gentle echo of the deep love He had for them. It hints at His divine nature – the eternal Wisdom reaching out to His beloved followers, even when they don't realize it's Him.
Jesus asks a simple question: "Do you have any fish?" But beneath the surface, there's a powerful purpose. Why ask about their catch?
Jesus' question, "Do you have any fish?" (using the specific word for 'meat' or 'provisions to eat with bread'), wasn't just a casual inquiry. The original language suggests an expectation of a negative answer.
Setting the Stage
He was drawing attention to their current situation – their labor, their lack of success. This wasn't to shame them, but to prepare them for a divine intervention. By having them state their failure, He highlighted the contrast with what was about to happen.
A Taste of Divine Power
Their honest "No" sets the stage for the miraculous catch to come. It underscores the truth that human effort, even diligent effort, is often insufficient without God's blessing. The emptiness of their nets makes the fullness of the coming catch even more astonishing.
Understand the original words
paidia · Greek Noun
A term of endearment and authority often used by a teacher or superior toward those under their care. It signifies a familial relationship, emphasizing the care, guidance, and authority the speaker has over the recipients.
This passage shows a similar situation where the disciples worked all night without success before Jesus intervened and blessed their efforts abundantly.
John 6:5-11Here, Jesus again initiates a mealtime interaction by asking a question about provisions, leading to a miraculous multiplication of food, echoing the theme of divine provision after human failure.
1 John 2:12-14The term 'Children' used by Jesus here is also found in John's first letter, where he affectionately addresses believers as 'little children' and 'fathers', highlighting a consistent theme of spiritual parentage and familiarity.
Matthew 14:17Similar to this interaction, the disciples initially report having very little food when Jesus asks about it, setting the stage for Him to perform a miracle of feeding the multitude.
barnesJohn 21:5: "Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No."
Children - A term of affection and friendship, 1 John 2:18 . Any meat - This word (Greek) means anything eaten with bread. It was used by the Greeks especially to denote fish (Schleusner).
clarkeJohn 21:5: "Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No."
Children - Παιδια, a term of familiarity and affectionate kindness: it is the vocative case plural of παιδιον, which is the diminutive of παις, and literally signifies little children, or beloved children. How the margin has made sirs out of it I cannot conceive. Any meat - Προσφαγιον from προς, besides, and φαγω, I eat; any thing that is eaten with bread, or such like solid substances, to make the deglu…
Jesus uses a tender word, "Children," not to reveal Himself immediately, but in a way that sounds like a friendly stranger asking a simple question. The term for "meat" specifically refers to something eaten with bread, highlighting that He's asking about the very thing they'd been trying, and failing, to catch.
Jesus, appearing to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, asks them in a friendly way if they have caught any fish. They don't recognize Him yet, and respond with a disheartening "No," having fished all night without success. This sets the stage for Jesus to provide an abundant catch, proving His divine power and love in their moment of weary failure.
Jesus, appearing to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, asks them in a friendly way if they have caught any fish. They don't recognize Him yet, and respond with a disheartening "No," having fished all night without success. This sets the stage for Jesus to provide an abundant catch, proving His divine power and love in their moment of weary failure.
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"Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”" — Jesus uses a tender word, "Children," not to reveal Himself immediately, but in a way that sounds like a friendly stranger asking a simple question. The term for "meat" specifically refers to somethi…
