Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

JESUS APPEARS AGAIN AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS V. 1-2

1) "After these things," (meta tauta) "After these things had occurred," at an indefinite time, after two successive Sunday appearances to the assembly-disciples, after His resurrection.

2) "Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples," (ephanerosen heauton palin lesous tois mathetais) "Jesus again manifested himself openly to the disciples." John is the only writer who recounted this story. It is after His former manifestations to them in the area of Jerusalem, in Judea.

3) "At the sea of Tiberias;" (eip tes thalasses tes Tiberiados) "Upon the Sea of Tiberias," also better known as the Sea of Galilee, John 6:1. They had gone there to receive the Great Commission, and were nearby when this event occurred, Matthew 28:16.

4) "And on this wise shewed he himself." (ephanerosen de houtos) "And he manifested himself in this manner," as follows:

1) "There were together," (esan homou) "There were together," in company with one another, a group of seven of the disciples, on a fishing trip, by the seaside, having returned to their old business until the Comforter should come.

2) "Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus," (Simon Petros kai Thomas ho legomenos Didymus) "Simon Peter and Thomas who was called a twin," two of the twelve apostles, Matthew 10:2-3; John 11:16.

3) "And Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee," (kai Nathanael ho apo Kana tes Galilaias) "And Nathaniel who was of Cana of Galilee," a Galileean, John 1:45-49.

4) "And the sons of Zebedee," (kai hois Zebedaiou) "And the sons of Zebedee, James, and John," who were fishers by trade, Matthew 4:21-22, who also were two of the twelve apostles, Matthew 10:2.

5) "And two other of his disciples." (kai alloi ek ton matheton autou duo) "And two other out of the number of the disciples," whose names are not given.

1) "Simon Peter saith unto them," (legei autois Simon Petros) "Simon Peter said to them," as they had gathered by the seaside.

2) "I go a fishing." (hupago halieuein) "I intend to go fishing," or I’m off to fish, as I did here many times a few years ago, Matthew 4:18-20.

3) "They say unto him, we also go with thee." (legousin auto erchometha kai hemeis sun soi) "They said to him, we are coming along with you," or we will go with you, agreed. There was a ready response and relief.

4) "They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately;" (ekselthon kai enebesan eis to ploion) "They went away and boarded (went into the boat) without delay."

5) "And that night they caught nothing." (kai en ekeine te nukti epiasan ouden) "And in and during that night they caught nothing," no fish at all, which Peter may have recalled they did once before, Luke 5:3-7.

1) "But when the morning was now come," (proias de ede ginomenes) "Then when it had become early morning," as day was now breaking, and the seven weary and disappointed men were returning to shore, empty handed and downhearted.

2) "Jesus stood on the shore:" (este leosus eis ton aigialon) "Jesus appeared and stood on the shore," on the beach near them, awaiting their arrival, as He now awaits us on the eternal shores.

3) "But the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." (ou mentoi edeisan hoi mathetai hoti lesous estin) "However the disciples did not know or recognize that it was Jesus," John 20:14. How often does He even stand nearby us today in our failures, without our recognizing it? Hebrews 13:5.

1) "Jesus saith unto them," (legei oun autois lesous) "Then Jesus said to them," spoke to them, called directly to them from the shore nearby, to the seven who had gone fishing, John 21:2.

2) "Children, have ye any meat?" (paidia me ti prosphagion echete) "Children, do you all not have anything to eat, any fish?" on His mercy, men must learn to lean or trust, for in Him we live, move, and have our being, or existence, La 3:22; Acts 17:28.

3) "They answered him, No." (apekrithesan auto ou) "They replied to him, no," not at all, not a thing, for the record. It was so similar to that experience they had once before, as recounted Luke 5:3-7.

SUCCESSFUL FISHING WHEN CHRIST IS OBEYED V. 6-11

1) "And he said unto them," (ho de eipen autois) "Then he said to them directly," as they were near the shore.

2) "Cast the net on the right side of the ship," (ablete eis ta deksia mere tou poliou to diktuon) "You all cast the net into (the water) on the right side-part of the boat," Luke 5:4; Luke 5:6-7; John 9:7. Obedience to Jesus always brings blessings or rewards, John 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9.

3) "And ye shall find." (kai heuresete) "And you will find," will locate the fish; just as those who obey Him are made to be fishers of men, Matthew 4:19.

4) "They cast therefore," (ebalon oun) "Then they cast the net," as He had told them, apparently suspecting who He was.

5) "And now they were not able to draw it," (kai ouketi auto elkusai ischuion) "And they were no longer or no more able (strong enough) to drag it," because they received through obedience to Him "more than they were able to ask or think," Ephesians 3:20.

6) "For the multitude of fishes." (apo tou plethous ton echthuon) "From the multitude of the school of fish," that they had caught in or surrounded with the net, because they had done what He had commanded them, John 15:14.

1) "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter," (legei oun ho mathetes ekeinos hon egapa ho leosus to Petro) "Then that particular disciple, whom Jesus loved with an holy affection, said directly and personally to Peter," that one being the apostle John, the writer of this Gospel, John 21:20; John 21:24.

2) "It is the Lord." (ho kurios estin) "it is the Lord," who had twice previously appeared to them, through closed doors, since His resurrection, John 20:19; John 20:26.

3) "Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord," (Simon oun Petros akousas hoti ho kurios estin) "Then Simon Peter upon hearing that it was the Lord," as they had likely suspected.

4) "He girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked)," (ton ependuten diezosato) "He girded himself with the coat," (hen gar gumnos) "For he was naked," or half-dressed, fishing with the net, with his clothes off, during the night and early dawn.

5) "And did cast himself into the sea." (kai ebalen heauton eis ten thalassan) "And he threw himself into the sea," as the ship was anchored offshore, hastening to come to the Master, John 13:7; John 20:6.

1) "And the other disciples came in a little ship:" (hoi de alloi mathetai to ploiario elthon) "Then six other disciples came also of their own choice and will, in the small boat," to shore from where the larger fishing vessel was anchored, John 21:2; John 21:7. Peter waded to shore, they rowed the little boat.

2) "For they were not far from land," (ou gar esan markran apo tes ges) "For they were not far away from the shoreline," where Jesus had come and called to them, John 21:4-5.

3) "But as it were two hundred cubits," (al la hos apo pechon diakosian) "Away from the land, which is a distance of about one hundred yards or 300 feet."

4) "Dragging the net with fishes." (surontes to diktuon ton ichthuon) "They (came) dragging or hauling the net full of the fishes," which they had caught in the net, when they obeyed His direction to cast on the right side of the ship, John 21:6; Luke 5:4; Luke 5:6-7.

1) "As soon then as they were come to land," (hos oun apenesan eis ten gen) "Then as they came ashore, onto the land," where Jesus had come and was waiting to bless them further, John 21:4-5.

2) "They saw a fire of coals there," (blepousin anthrakian keimenen) "They saw a bed of coals of fire," which He had built in preparing for their need, Philippians 4:19.

3) "And fish laid thereon, and bread." (kai opsairion epikeimenon kai arton) "And a fish lying on it, and bread," which He had miraculously prepared to satisfy their hunger and need of warmth, John 20:30-31.

1) "Jesus saith unto them," (legei autois ho lesous) "Jesus says to them," to the seven apostles and disciples who had been all night on the fishing excursion, during which they had toiled and caught nothing, until He came to them, John 21:3-6.

2) "Bring of the fish which ye have now caught." (enegkate apo ton opsarion hon epiasate nun) "You all now bring on continually from the fishes you caught." Drag the net and fish on to the shore and put more fish on the coals of fire, is the idea.

1) "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land," (anebe Simon Petros kai helkusen to diktuon eis ges) "Simon Peter then went up (upon the ship) and dragged the net unto the shoreline," as he had often done in his former business of earlier life, Matthew 4:18-20.

2) "Full of great fishes," (meston eschuon megalon) "Full of great fishes," of great size and fine edible quality. To obey the commands of the Lord surely brings blessings and reward, Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Psalms 126:5-6.

3) "And hundred and fifty and three:" (hekaton pentekonta trion) "An hundred and fifty three," in number, perhaps enough for the seven and their families for a full day, John 15:14. No spiritual significance seems to be attached to the number.

4) "And for all there were so many," (kai tosouton onton) "And even though there were (existed) so many," though they had caught nothing until Jesus came to them. It is well to here remember His words, "without me ye can do nothing," John 15:5; James 1:22.

5) "Yet was not the net broken." (ouk eschisthe to diktuon) "The net was not torn," broken or harmed, as it had been on a similar occasion, Luke 5:6. The word of truth is that net which the church is to cast into all the world. It will not break or fall. And all who bear and share it will surely be successful fishers of men. Let us cast it and drag it in, sow the seed and thrust in the sickle, and the presence of His person and power shall be with us, to bring prosperity beyond our comprehension, Psalms 126:5-6; Ecclesiastes 11:1-7; Isaiah 55:10-12; John 4:34-39; 1 Corinthians 3:8.

JESUS MEETS THE DISCIPLE’S NEED V. 12-14

1) "Jesus saith unto them," (legei autois ho lesous) "Jesus (then) said directly, personally to them," to the seven who had fished all night, caught nothing, till He came, John 21:3-6.

2) "Come and dine." (deute aristesate) "You all come to breakfast," which I have prepared for you. Be my breakfast guests, to begin this day; Seek my communion, first, Matthew 6:33; John 6:10.

3) "And none of the disciples durst ask him," (oudeis etolma ton matheton eksetasai auton) "Not one of the disciples dared or ventured to question or ask him," who He was or why He was there. To do so would be needless. Each was convinced that it was the Lord.

4) "Who art thou?" (su tis ei) "Who are you?" For they knew Him now, by His resurrection appearances, and continuing miraculous deeds, as He came through closed doors, blessed them, and caused the fish catch, John 20:19; John 20:26.

5) "Knowing that it was the Lord." (edotes hoti ho kurios estin) "Knowing or recognizing that He was the Lord," who gave direction for their early morning catch of fish, and crowned their efforts with success; He had told them that they would see Him again, after a little while, after His resurrection, and that they would be glad, John 16:16-20.

1) "Jesus then cometh, and taketh broad," (erchetai lesous kai lambanei ton arton) "Jesus then came of his own volition and took the bread," that too had been on the bed of fire coals, warmed, ready to eat, and perhaps blessed it, as in Luke 24:30-31.

2) "And giveth them," (kai didosin autois) "And he doled it out to them," directly, personally Himself, as a servant to them, even after his resurrection, teaching them to serve one another and their fellowman, Matthew 20:26-28; Romans 15:1-4.

3) "And fish likewise." (kai to posarion homoios) "And he gave out or served to them the fish after a like manner," to complete a satisfying meal for them, as He yet demonstrated that He, as their Master, was yet "servant of all," Mark 10:42-45. There was evidently a reverence in the air, as He had provided them and prepared for their need that day, perhaps to remind them that He would always do that, and be with them, if they would only trust and obey His word, Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:19.

1) "This is now the third time," (touto ede triton) "This was now, up to this time, the third time," that He had appeared to any considerable group of the disciples. It is evidently an orderly statement by John of such appearances.

2) "That Jesus showed himself to his disciples," (ephanirothe lesous tois mathetais) "That Jesus was manifested personally and directly to the disciples," as He had done on two previous occasions, John 20:19; John 20:26.

3) "After that he was risen from the dead." (egertheis ek nekron) "After he had been raised out of and from among dead corpses," or from the grave, as He had told them that He would, and would go before them into Galilee, where they met Him, Matthew 26:31-32; Matthew 28:6; Matthew 28:10; Matthew 28:16.

LOVE, TRUE MOTIVE FOR SERVICE V. 15-17

1) "So when they had dined," (hote oun eristesan) "Then when they had dined or eaten breakfast," and satisfied their hunger with the food Jesus had prepared for them, before He taught them further.

2) "Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas," (legei to Simoni Petro ho lesous, Simon lodannou) "Jesus asked him, Simon son of John," as leader spokesman of these fishing disciples, my disciple of pledged fidelity, who would never deny me, Matthew 26:33; Matthew 26:35.

3) "Lovest thou me more than these?" (agapas me pleon touton) "Do you love (with priority affection) me more than these?" with a Divine love, as in John 14:21; Luke 10:27; These fishes, these nets, these boats, and these other friends of mine, more than these things and people? For you are a leader of these, John 21:3.

4) "He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;" (legei auto nai, kurie), "He said to him (to Jesus) certainly Lord," I surely do. For had he not impulsively robed, jumped into the sea, and made haste to greet Him, when he recognized Him?

5) "Thou knowest that I love thee." (su oidas hoti philo se) "You know or perceive that I care for you as a friend," or I am your bond friend. Jesus asked Peter about (Gk. agapao) an Holy, Divine love; Peter switched words and affirmed (Gk. phileo) a physical affection to Jesus.

6) "He saith unto him, Feed my lambs." (legei auto boske ta arnia mou) "He (Jesus) said directly to him, feed my lambs," hand feed, or nourish my lambs that need spiritual nourishing, like you all need physical nourishment that I provided for you early this morning, 1 Peter 5:2; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 3:15; Acts 20:28.

The lambs Peter was to feed, nourish were the younger, less mature babes in Christ, as described, Hebrews 5:13-14; 1 Peter 2:2.

1) "He saith to him again the second time," (legei auto palin deuteron) "He (Jesus) said to him again, a second time," as He pressed the same subject of devoted, spiritual love of the highest order, John 21:15.

2) "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" (Simon loannou agapas me) "Simon, son of John, do you love me with an holy or priority love?" He used the same (Gk. agapa) term as before, which kind of love Peter avoided using in reply. Do you love me as the law demands? Luke 10:27.

3) "He saith unto him, yea, Lord;" (legei auto nai kurie) "He replied to him, yes, Lord;" surely or certainly Lord, as he had replied the first time, John 21:15.

4) "Thou knowest that I love thee." (su oidas hot! philo se) "You know, perceive, or comprehend that I am your friend," I have an affection for you like a friend, a very dear fondness toward you.

5) "He saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (legei auto poimaine ta probata mou) "He (Jesus) then said to him directly, take care of or shepherd my flock of sheep," 1 Peter 5:1-3. Tend them, care for them, feed them, and lead them, like a good shepherd, Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25.

Note: The Lord said tend "my lambs" and "my sheep," not yours. The shepherd must act as a steward, caring for and entrusted with, property that belongs to another, for which he must one day give account, 1 Peter 5:4; Hebrews 13:17.

1) "He saith unto him the third time," (legei auto to triton) "He (Jesus) asked him (Simon Peter) personally and directly a third time;" Since Peter had recently denied Him three times, in a similar manner; He pressed upon Peter, leader of these six disciples, the grave privilege and responsibility of His call.

2) "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" (Simon loannou phileis me) "Simon, son of John are you really a friend?" Do you even care for me as a friend? Are you really (Gk. phileis) fond of me, with even a personal love?

3) "Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time," (elupethe ho Petros hoti eipen auto to triton) "Peter was then grieved (deeply moved emotionally) because he (Jesus) said to him a third time," inquired of him for a third time, about an abiding, devout, spiritual love, of Divine nature, which Peter would not affirm.

4) "Lovest thou me?" (phileis me) "Are you a friend to me?" or are you personally fond of me? Since you denied me three times, and have returned to your old secular work?

5) "And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things," (kai eipen auto kurie panta su oidas) "And Peter replied to him, Lord, you know all things," you comprehend all things, as the Son of God, Matthew 16:16; John 2:24-25; Revelation 2:23; 1 Samuel 16:7.

6) "Thou knowest that I love thee." (su ginoskeis hoti philo se) "You know that I love you as a friend," with the care or affection of a friend. But had not our Lord warned that one who put his hand to the plow, then looked back, was unfit for the kingdom of God? Luke 9:62.

7) "Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (legei auto lesous boske ta probatia mou) "Jesus (then) directed him, Feed my flock of sheep," or guide, feed, protect, and care for my flock of sheep, John 21:15; John 10:9.

THE MANNER OF THE SERVANT’S DEATH TOLD V. 18,19

1) "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young," (amen, amen, lego soi hote hes neoteros) "Truly, truly, I tell you that when you were younger," a young man, before you became a disciple and an apostle.

2) "Thou girdest thyself and walked whither thou wouldest," (ezonnues seauton kai peripateis hopou etheles) "You girded or fully dressed yourself and walked around, where you chose, of your own volition; "Impulsively you were your own master, your own Lord, a god unto yourself then, John 13:16; But he had now consecrated his energies and life to Christ who was his master or Lord, to whom he was hereafter to be a servant.

3) "But when thou shall be old," (hotan de gerases) "However when you grow old," to be a geriatric, a much older, mature servant to man.

4) "Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands," (ekteneis tas cheiras sou) "You will stretch out or reach out your hands," for help or assistance, as an unstable, stumbling, aged one, a subject or victim of others, even as a prisoner to be bound, perhaps even meaning to be crucified, as tradition holds that he was crucified.

5) "And another shall gird thee and carry thee," (kai allos zosei se kai oisei) "And another person will dress you and will carry or assist you," binding on you the clothes and leading you where they choose, Acts 12:3-4.

6) "Whither thou wouldest not." (hopou ou thelels "Where you would not choose to go," if you could act on your own will, as in other days past, as they also did Paul, Acts 22:25.

1) "This spake he," (touto de elpen) "Then he said this," used this illustration.

2) "Signifying by what death," (semainon polo thanato) "Signifying or indicating by what death," what kind of death, pointing out the kind of or through what manner of death.

3) "He should glorify God." (doksasei ton theon) "He would come to glorify God," 2 Peter 1:14; Revelation 2:10. The death of His saints, no matter how they depart this life, always glorifies God, and is "precious in His sight," 2 Corinthians 5:8-9.

4) "And when he had spoken this," (kai touto eipon) "And when he had said this," completed this charge, admonition, and explanation of what was ahead for Peter, in service, humiliation, suffering, and death.

5) "He saith unto him, Follow me." (legei auto akolouthei moil "He told him directly and personally, you follow me," familiar words that Peter had often heard before, when they did not mean so much then as now and hereafter, Matthew 4:19; Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23.

PETER’S CONCERN OVER JOHN’S SERVICE, OUT OF PLACE

V. 20-25

1) "Then Peter, turning about," (epitrapheis ho Petros) "Peter upon turning around," to follow, or walk aside after Jesus, perhaps for a little privacy.

2) "Seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following;" (blepei ton matheten hon agapa ho lesous akolouthounta) "Saw the particular disciple Jesus loved with an holy love of a devout nature following;" It was the apostle John who wrote this Gospel, John 21:24. He is the only writer who told of this event.

3) "Which also leaned on his breast at supper," (hos kai anepesen en to deipno epi to stethos suton) "Who also leaned upon his breast at the supper," John 13:23.

4) "And said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?" (kai eipen kurie tis estin ho paradidous se) "And who said, Lord who is the one betraying you?" delivering you over to your enemies, treacherously, John 13:24-25.

1) "Peter seeing him saith to Jesus," (touton oun idon ho Petros legei) "Peter then upon seeing this one said," or asked concerning John, as he had asked a favor of John, on the night Jesus identified the traitor to John, John 13:23-31.

2) "Lord, and what shall this man do?" (kurie houtos de ti) "Then Lord, what shall this one do?" or what of him? referring to the Apostle John. It was perhaps not just "nosy" curiosity, but a genuine concern for a very dear friend, Galatians 2:7-9.

1) "Jesus saith unto him," (legei auto ho lesous) "Jesus said to him," directly, personally, and pointedly, with a slight rebuke. One is not to muse too much about the business of others.

2) "If I will that he tarry till I come," (ean auton thelo menein heos erchomai) "If I will that he remain until I come (again) of my own volition or choice," through patient waiting, without dying as a martyr, Hebrews 10:36-37; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

3) "What is that to thee?" (ti pros se) "What is that to you?" Not all have the same Divine calling in life’s service, suffering, or death, to God’s glory, 1 Corinthians 10:31. Consecration, more than speculation, is what is needed by everyone, Romans 12:1-2.

4) "Follow thou me." (su moi akolouthei) "You are to follow me," follow for yourself where I lead. Let each be fully consecrated to Him whether to live, to serve, to suffer, or to die for Him, for each shall surely receive his own reward, 1 Corinthians 3:8.

1) "Then went this saying abroad among the brethren," (ekselthen oun houtos ho logos eis tou adelphous) "Then this word went forth to the brethren," apparently overheard by the six disciples gathered around the fish-fire camp, John 21:7-14. Then they changed our Lord’s statement to report.

2) "That that disciple should not die:" (hoti ho mathetes ekeinos ouk apothneskei) "That that disciple (John) would not die," 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

3) "Yet Jesus said not unto him," (ouk eipen de auto ho lesous) "Yet Jesus did not say to him or tell him," what they had conjectured, or supposed, and circulated as an inaccurate rumor. And John did not help circulate it, for he knew the context in which Jesus had made the statement.

4) "He shall not die;" (hoti ouk apothneskei) "That he shall not come to die," Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 9:5.

5) "But, if I will that he tarry till I come," (all’ ean auton thelo menein heos erchomai) "But if I will, with a priority of choice, that he remain until I come," come or return, an hypothetical use of the language, which as Lord or Master He could have done.

6) "What is that to thee?" (ti pros se) "What business is that of yours?"

TRADITIONS OF DEATHS OF THE APOSTLES

1. Matthew is supposed to have suffered martyrdom or was slain with the sword, at a city of Ethiopia.
2. Mark was dragged through the streets of Alexandria, in Egypt, till he expired.
3. Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.
4. John was put into a cauldron of boiling oil at Rome, and escaped death. He afterwards died a natural death at Ephesus, in Asia.
5. James the Great was beheaded at Jerusalem.
6. James the Less was thrown from a pinnacle or wing of the Temple, and then beaten to death with a fuller’s club.
7. Philip was hanged up against a pillar, at Heirapolis, a city of Phrygia.
8. Bartholomew was flayed alive by the command of a barbarous king.
9. Andrew was bound to a cross, when he preached to the people till he expired.
10. Thomas was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel in the East Indies.
11. Jude was shot to death with arrows.
12. Simon Zelotes was crucified in Persia.

1) "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things," (houtos estin ho mathetes ho marturon peri touton) "This one (the writer of this Gospel, John) is (exists as) the disciple who is witnessing (in this Gospel) concerning these things," thus attesting that he is the one referred to as "The disciple whom Jesus loved," John 21:20; John 13:23.

2) "And wrote these things," (kai ho grapsas tauta) "And he is the one who has written these things," recounted these matters of accuracy, revolving around the life and ministry of: 1) John the Baptist, and 2) Jesus, the men might believe in Him, John 20:30-31.

3) "And we know that his testimony Is true." (kai oidamen hoti alethes autou he marturia estin) "And we know that the witness (testimony) of him is true," genuine, accurate, or trustworthy, as an eye-witness of Him from the beginning, John 15:26-27; 1 John 1:1-4. This is John’s certificate of accuracy of what he had written in this book, a certification of inspiration for it, John 19:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

1) "And there are also many other things," (estin de kai alla polla) "Yet, there are also many other things," revolving about the life and ministry of Jesus.

2) "Which Jesus did," (ho epoiesen ho lesous) "Which Jesus did," in words and deeds, during His wonderful life on earth.

3) "The which, if they should be written every one," (hatina ean graphetai kath’ en) "Which things, if they were written or recounted singly (or everyone) "in a book, upon scrolls, tablets etc., as also asserted John 20:30-31.

4) “I suppose that," (oimai) I think," a figure of speech, known as an hyperbole, used to describe a limitless idea, as expressed by the Pharisees, John 12:19.

5) "Even the world itself could not contain the books," (oud’ auton ton kosmon choresein) "That not even the world itself could contain the record of them," serve as an archive for their storage or keeping. For what He has done, and is doing, and shall do, is "above all that we are able to ask or to think," Ephesians 3:20.

6) "That should be written, Amen." (ta graphomena biblia) "The rolls, books, or scrolls," that should come to be written, Amen," as similarly expressed concerning Amos in the figure of the Old Testament hyperbole, Amos 7:10.