Gospel in Art: Jesus stood on the shore and instructed the disciples

Christ at the Sea of Galilee, by the Circle of Jacopo Tintoretto © National Gallery of Art, Washington

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4 May 2025
John 21:1-14

At that time: Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.' They said to him, 'We will go with you.' They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, 'Children, do you have any fish?' They answered him, 'No.' He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 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. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred metres off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.' So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' Now none of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Reflection on the painting

In this canvas, painted by the circle of Jacopo Tintoretto, we see the Risen Christ illuminated from behind by the soft glow of the rising sun, standing on the shore of Lake Galilee. He is shown communicating with the disciples, who are depicted in their boat, casting their nets upon the water. As today's Gospel recounts, they had been fishing all night but caught nothing, until Christ, from the shore, instructed them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat, where they would find abundance. Recognising the Lord, Peter, in his characteristic zeal, leaps into the water to reach Him. From the left side of the painting, daylight begins to break, gently brightening the waves and sky, a visual reminder of the new dawn brought by the Resurrection.

The fact that the disciples returned to fishing after the Resurrection reveals much about their state of mind. Though called away from their nets years before, in the confusion and uncertainty following Christ's death, they instinctively reverted to what was familiar: the life they had left behind. They were looking backwards, retreating into the comfort of the past. But Jesus, in today's Gospel, gently calls them to do the opposite: to lift their eyes from the old ways and look forward, to embrace the new future shaped by His Resurrection. The Lord doesn't rebuke them; instead, He redirects them with love and simplicity.

How does the Risen Christ guide them forward? Not with grand speeches or commands, but with a humble invitation: "Come and have breakfast." He meets them in the ordinary, sharing food, an intimate act of communion and reassurance. In these days after Easter, we too are invited to listen for Christ's gentle call, to cast our nets in new directions, and to look ahead with hope. The Resurrection is not a return to what was, but a call to embrace the mission that lies before us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-21-1-14-2025-2/ (with audio)