Bible Strands
John 21:4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus stands on the shore early in the morning while the disciples, having spent the night fishing without success, remain in a boat nearby.
The words — πρωΐας (prōias) renders “when morning,” and ἔστη (estē) means “stood,” fixing the exact time and posture of his arrival.
The thread — The text’s claim that the disciples did not recognize Jesus parallels the delayed recognition in John 20:14, Mark 16:12, and Luke 24:15.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to accept the plain statement that physical presence does not automatically produce recognition, and that divine initiative often precedes human awareness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Cross-references
- John 20:14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus.
- Mark 16:12 After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country.
- Luke 24:15 And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them.
- Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight.