John 21:12
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
οὐδεὶς
none
G3762
οὐδεὶς
none
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
7 of 21
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐτόλμα
durst
G5111
ἐτόλμα
durst
Strong's:
G5111
Word #:
9 of 21
to venture (objectively or in act; while g2292 is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξετάσαι
ask
G1833
ἐξετάσαι
ask
Strong's:
G1833
Word #:
12 of 21
to test thoroughly (by questions), i.e., ascertain or interrogate
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
15 of 21
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
εἰδότες
knowing
G1492
εἰδότες
knowing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
17 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
18 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 10:41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.John 16:19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
Historical Context
This meal fulfilled Jesus' promise at the Last Supper to eat and drink with disciples in the kingdom (Luke 22:30). Post-resurrection meals authenticated Jesus' bodily resurrection (Luke 24:41-43, Acts 10:41). The disciples' reluctance to question shows reverent awe before the risen Lord—a mix of familiarity (He's preparing breakfast) and wonder (He's conquered death). This breakfast by Galilee previews the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the disciples' knowing without asking teach about the nature of spiritual certainty versus intellectual proof?
- How does Jesus serving breakfast to those who denied and abandoned Him demonstrate the character of resurrection grace?
- When have you experienced Christ's presence so clearly that questions became unnecessary, and how did that shape your faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Come and dine (δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε/deute aristēsate)—Jesus' invitation to breakfast is tender and hospitable. The resurrected Lord serves His disciples, reversing typical master-servant relationships. This meal echoes the Last Supper but transforms sorrow into joy, betrayal into restoration. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord (οὐδεὶς ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτόν/oudeis etolma tōn mathētōn exetasai auton)—the verb ἐτόλμα (etolma) suggests they wanted to ask but couldn't bring themselves to do so.
This strange tension reveals the paradox of Christ's resurrection body: simultaneously recognizable and mysterious, familiar yet transformed. The disciples knew it was Jesus—His voice, His manner, His provision—yet His glorified body possessed qualities that made direct questioning feel inappropriate or unnecessary. Their silent certainty contrasts with Thomas's earlier doubt (John 20:25). Some knowledge transcends verbal confirmation; spiritual perception surpasses empirical investigation. They knew (εἰδότες/eidotes)—not by asking but by experiencing His presence.