World English Bible · Under Rome
John 21
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After these things, himself again to at the . He himself this way. , called Didymus, of in , and the sons of , and two others of his were together. said to them, "I'm going fishing." They told him, "We are also coming with you." They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. But when day had already come, stood on the beach; yet didn't know that it was . therefore said to them, "Children, have you anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." They cast it therefore, and now they weren't able to draw it in for of fish. That therefore whom loved said to , "It's !" So when heard that it was , he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was ), and threw himself into the sea. 8But the other came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred away), dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. 10 said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have caught." went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn't torn. said to them, "Come and eat breakfast!" None of dared inquire of him, "Who are you?" knowing that it was . Then came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that was to his after he had from . So when they had eaten their breakfast, said to , ", , do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, ; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him again a second time, ", , do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, ; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, ", , do you have affection for me?" was grieved because he asked him the third time, "Do you have affection for me?" He said to him, ", you know everything. You know that I have affection for you." said to him, ". Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don't want to go." Now he said this, signifying by what kind of he would . When he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me." Then , turning around, saw following. This was the whom loved, the one who had also leaned on ' chest at the supper and asked, ", who is going to betray you?" , seeing him, said to , ", what about this man?" said to him, "If I that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me." This saying therefore went out among the brothers that this wouldn't . Yet didn't say to him that he wouldn't , but, "If I that he stay until I come, what is that to you?" This is the who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his is true. There are also many other things which did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn't have room for the books that would be written.
A public domain modern English translation, free to read and share. Notes and cards are EKLI’s own.
The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.