Christophany by the Lake Tiberias (Jn 21: 1-14). Interpretation problems and the meaning of the text

Abstract

Among many New Testament texts concerning the paschal events the appearances of the Risen Christ are mentioned. They fit right in between the Old Testament theophanies and Christ’s second coming, as in a way they crown the past, earthly being of Jesus of Nazareth and anticipate His coming again in glory. The author of this article – as suggested by the title – is interested in the meeting of the Risen Christ with seven disciples on Lake Tiberias shore described in Jn 21: 1-14. He neither intends to present an exhaustive exegesis, nor to carry out a critical, literary study of the quoted chapter. He passes over the question of the text’s authorship and origin as well. Instead he indicates the problems one sees while reading the pericope, presents the possible ways to solve them and discovers the meaning of the text. The issue of the article is discussed at two stages: first the reader gets aquainted with the structure of christophany’s description, next the symbolic meaning of the text is presented on the basis of some parallel texts and existing traditions. Many issues related to this particular text remain more or less probable assumptions. Opinions of different exegesists and theologians are to a large degree based on their attitude to the whole of paschal events. It is therefore impossible – according to the author – to reach an unquestionable solution. However, there is no doubt that the appearances of Jesus became crucial in leading the apostles to true faith in the reality of resurrection. They also became the object of testimonies of those whose preaching was fundamental for the faith of the whole Church. The first christophany – as the one from Lake Tiberias can be considered the first – is of great significance here. The author hopes that the present article may be a good example of various difficulties that can be found by everyone who tries to fathom the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ, which the christophany from the last chapter of John’s gospel is an inseparable part of.