That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter's haste to reach Jesus reveals a deep yearning, not just to be with his Lord, but to present himself properly by quickly donning his outer garment. This shows his immediate, instinctive desire for reverence and order before approaching the Master, even in his eagerness to swim.
That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus' resurrection, he appeared to seven of his disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, and John, the disciple Jesus loved, is the first to recognize him from the shore. Peter, characterized by his impulsiveness, immediately throws himself into the water to get to Jesus, while the others stay with the miraculous catch of fish in the boat. This encounter happens as the disciples are back to their former trade, perhaps feeling uncertain or disheartened after Jesus' crucifixion, and Jesus reveals himself in a way that both provides for them and reestablishes their calling.
In the quiet dawn, a miracle unfolds in a net full of fish. Who is it that first recognizes the Resurrected Christ?
The passage highlights two distinct, yet complementary, ways of recognizing Jesus:
John's Contemplative Insight
John, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved,' is the first to identify Jesus. His recognition isn't immediate but arises from contemplation. He likely connects the miraculous catch with Jesus' earlier ministry, seeing a divine pattern at work. This speaks to a spiritual intuition, a gift of discernment that perceives God's presence even in familiar circumstances.
Peter's Action-Oriented Faith
Upon hearing John's declaration, 'It is the Lord!', Peter’s response is swift and decisive. His faith is not one of quiet contemplation but of immediate action. He doesn't wait; he acts. This reveals a core characteristic: Peter's zealous, often impulsive, nature that drives him to physically move towards Jesus.
Why would Peter, already in the water, stop to put on a coat before rushing to Jesus?
Peter's action of putting on his outer garment ('fisher's coat') before entering the sea is fascinating and reveals a deeper aspect of his character.
Stripped for Work, Clothed for Encounter
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The text explains Peter was 'stripped for work' – meaning he was wearing only his undergarment. The 'fisher's coat' was an outer garment, likely made of coarser material, donned for protection or modesty when not actively toiling.
Reverence and Readiness
Peter doesn't just jump in. He takes a moment to cover himself. This isn't about shame, but about reverence. He is about to meet Jesus, his Lord, and he desires to do so with appropriate respect. It's a symbolic act of preparing himself, both physically and spiritually, for an encounter with Christ.
A Characteristic Leap
Despite this brief pause for reverence, his subsequent action – 'threw himself into the sea' – is still one of characteristic impulsiveness and zeal. He wants to be with Jesus now.
Understand the original words
kyrios · Greek Noun
A reference to the risen Jesus Christ, acknowledging His authority, divinity, and sovereignty as Master over all things, including nature.
hon ēgapa ho Iēsous · Greek Phrase
A distinctive description of the Apostle John, highlighting the special intimacy and unique fellowship he experienced in his relationship with Jesus.
ependytēn · Greek Noun
In this context, an outer garment or cloak worn by a fisherman; symbolically, it reflects the social decorum and respect due when entering the presence of the Lord.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus, the central figure of the disciples' lives, is crucified and then miraculously resurrected, causing immense grief and then bewildered joy among his followers.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Following his resurrection, Jesus appears multiple times to his disciples, including Peter and John, often in surprising ways, solidifying their faith and understanding.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Disciples Return to Fishing
After Jesus' ascension, the disciples, including Peter, John, and others, return to their former occupation of fishing on the Sea of Galilee, likely while awaiting further instruction or the coming of the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 30-33
The Miraculous Catch of Fish
While fishing, the disciples experience an astonishingly large catch of fish, a sign that prompts John to recognize the resurrected Jesus on the shore.
This passage describes Jonathan giving his robe to David, similar to how Peter puts on his outer garment as a sign of respect and readiness to approach Jesus.
John 20:8This verse highlights John's quick recognition of Jesus after the resurrection, paralleling his immediate insight here that the figure on the shore is their Lord.
Acts 19:12This verse mentions aprons and handkerchiefs being taken from Paul, showing that garments were often removed for work and then put back on, similar to Peter's action.
1 Corinthians 15:56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. This verse, while about spiritual victory, echoes the idea of a powerful force (sin/law) being overcome, much like Peter's desperate, almost reckless, desire to reach Jesus, overcoming the water.
Luke 5:11After Jesus calls them, the disciples leave everything and follow Him. This shows a pattern of Peter's immediate, decisive action in response to Jesus' call, even in this post-resurrection encounter.
ellicottJohn 21:7: "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea."
(7) Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter. —Comp. Introduction, p 375. The traits of character which have before met us are exactly preserved here. John, true to the life of contemplation, is first to trace in the present draught of fishes an analogy…
meyerJohn 21:7: "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea."
John 21:7 . Πάλιν τὰ ἰδιώματα τῶν οἰκείων ἐπιδείκνυνται τρόπων οἱ μαθηταὶ Πέτρος καὶ Ἰωάννης . Ὁ μὲν γὰρ θερμότερος , ὁ δὲ ὑψηλότερος ἦν · καὶ ὁ μὲν ὀξύτερος ἦν , ὁ δὲ διορατικώτερος . Διὰ τοῦτο ὁ μὲν Ἰωάννης πρῶτως ἐπέγνω τὸν Ἰησοῦν · ὁ δὲ Πέτρος πρῶτος ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτόν…
Peter's haste to reach Jesus reveals a deep yearning, not just to be with his Lord, but to present himself properly by quickly donning his outer garment. This shows his immediate, instinctive desire for reverence and order before approaching the Master, even in his eagerness to swim.
After Jesus' resurrection, he appeared to seven of his disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, and John, the disciple Jesus loved, is the first to recognize him from the shore. Peter, characterized by his impulsiveness, immediately throws himself into the water to get to Jesus, while the others stay with the miraculous catch of fish in the boat. This encounter happens as the disciples are back to their former trade, perhaps feeling uncertain or disheartened after Jesus' crucifixion, and Jesus reveals himself in a way that both provides for them and reestablishes their calling.
After Jesus' resurrection, he appeared to seven of his disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, and John, the disciple Jesus loved, is the first to recognize him from the shore. Peter, characterized by his impulsiveness, immediately throws himself into the water to get to Jesus, while the others stay with the miraculous catch of fish in the boat. This encounter happens as the disciples are back to their former trade, perhaps feeling uncertain or disheartened after Jesus' crucifixion, and Jesus reveals himself in a way that both provides for them and reestablishes their calling.
"That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea." — Peter's haste to reach Jesus reveals a deep yearning, not just to be with his Lord, but to present himself properly by quickly donning his outer garment. This shows his immediate, instinctive desir…
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Last reviewed October 2026