Peter Restored by the Sea
Beside a fire of coals on the shore, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, and restored the disciple who had denied Him three times.
Some time after the resurrection, seven disciples went fishing on the sea of Tiberias and caught nothing all night, until Jesus, standing on the shore, told them to cast the net on the right side of the ship, and they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Peter cast himself into the sea to reach Him, and on the shore they found a fire of coals with fish and bread. After they had dined, Jesus asked Peter three times, 'lovest thou me?' and three times gave him a charge: 'Feed my lambs,' 'Feed my sheep,' 'Feed my sheep.' Peter, who had denied his Lord three times while warming himself at another fire of coals, was grieved at the third question, but Jesus restored him and foretold the death by which he would glorify God. Then He gave him the same call He had given at the beginning: 'Follow me.'
Did You Know?
The net held 'an hundred and fifty and three' great fishes, and yet it was not broken.
John calls this 'the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.'
Jesus' words about Peter stretching forth his hands were understood as signifying the death by which he would glorify God.
Key Passage
Peter Restored by the Sea
John 21:15-19
15o when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Meanwhile in the World
The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.
