Devine Scripture

John 21:6

What does John 21:6 mean?

A plain-English look at John 21:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 21:6 means

Jesus instructed them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, promising they would find fish there. Though they didn't know it was Him, they obeyed, and the result was an overwhelming catch of fish so immense that they were unable to haul the net into the boat. This miraculous provision not only filled their nets but also served as a clear sign of Jesus' divine power and knowledge, mirroring an earlier miraculous catch at the beginning of their ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Let down the net on the right side of the boat and you will get some. So they put it in the water and now they were not able to get it up again because of the great number of fish.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

they answered him, `No;' and he said to them, `Cast the net at the right side of the boat, and ye shall find;' they cast, therefore, and no longer were they able to draw it, from the multitude of the fishes.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship; and you shall find. They cast therefore: and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, Cast the net at the right side of the ship and ye will find. They cast therefore, and they could no longer draw it, from the multitude of fishes.

Context

This verse describes the pivotal moment where Jesus gives the disciples a specific, practical instruction. Their obedience, despite not recognizing Him, leads directly to the miraculous catch. This event directly contrasts with their night of futility, serving as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority and foreshadowing His imminent revelation to them as the Lord who provides.

v.5Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No.

v.6This passage

v.7That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 5:4

    And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

  • Acts 2:41

    They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

  • Hebrews 2:6

    But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

  • Acts 4:4

    But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

  • John 2:5

    His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

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