John 21:5
New International Version
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

New Living Translation
He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.

English Standard Version
Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”

Berean Standard Bible
So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Jesus says to them, "Children do you have any food?" They answered Him, "No."

King James Bible
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

New King James Version
Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”

New American Standard Bible
So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish to eat, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”

NASB 1995
So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”

NASB 1977
Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered Him, “No.”

Amplified Bible
So Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish [to eat along with your bread]?” They answered, “No.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you? ” “No,” they answered.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Men,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?"” No,” they answered.

American Standard Version
Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus shouted, "Friends, have you caught anything?" "No!" they answered.

English Revised Version
Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus asked them, "Friends, haven't you caught any fish?" They answered him, "No, we haven't."

Good News Translation
Then he asked them, "Young men, haven't you caught anything?" "Not a thing," they answered.

International Standard Version
Jesus asked them, "Children, you don't have any fish, do you?" They answered him, "No."

Majority Standard Bible
So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered.

NET Bible
So Jesus said to them, "Children, you don't have any fish, do you?" They replied, "No."

New Heart English Bible
Jesus therefore said to them, "Children, have you anything to eat?" They answered him, "No."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Jesus saith to them, Children, have ye any victuals? They answered him, No.

Weymouth New Testament
He called to them. "Children," He said, "have you any food there?" "No," they answered.

World English Bible
Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Jesus, therefore, says to them, “Boys, do you have any meat?”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Jesus says to them, "Children do you have any food?" They answered Him, "No."

Young's Literal Translation
Jesus, therefore, saith to them, 'Lads, have ye any meat?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Then says Jesus to them, Children, have ye nothing cooked to eat? They answered him, No.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus therefore said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any food?” They answered him, “No.”

New American Bible
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So Jesus said to them, Boys, have you got anything to eat? They said to him, No.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Yeshua said to them, “Lads, do you have anything to eat?” They said to him, “No.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Jesus said to them: Children, have you any food? They answered him: No.

Godbey New Testament
Then Jesus says to them; Little children, whether have you any meat? They respond to Him, No.

Haweis New Testament
Then saith Jesus unto them, My youths, have ye any thing eatable? They answered him, No.

Mace New Testament
then said Jesus, my lads, have ye any fish?

Weymouth New Testament
He called to them. "Children," He said, "have you any food there?" "No," they answered.

Worrell New Testament
Jesus, therefore, saith to them, "Little children, have ye anything to eat?" They answered Him, "No."

Worsley New Testament
Then Jesus saith unto them, Young men, have ye any thing to eat?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Appears by the Sea of Tiberias
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus. 5So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.…

Cross References
Luke 5:4-6
When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” / “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” / When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear.

Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Mark 1:17
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

John 6:5-9
When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” / But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. / Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.” ...

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

Luke 24:41-43
While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” / So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, / and He took it and ate it in front of them.

Matthew 14:15-21
When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” / “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. ...

Mark 6:37-44
But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?” / “Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” / Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. ...

John 6:35
Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

John 4:31-34
Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.” / But He told them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” / So the disciples asked one another, “Could someone have brought Him food?” ...

Luke 9:13-17
But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. ...

Matthew 17:27
“But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”

1 Kings 17:12-16
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ...

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Genesis 22:7-8
Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” “Here I am, my son,” he replied. “The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” / Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Jesus said to them, Children, have you any meat? They answered him, No.

Children.

1 John 2:13,18
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father…

have.

Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Luke 24:41-43
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? …

Philippians 4:11-13,19
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content…

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Aught Children Eat Fish Food Friends Jesus Lads Meat Victuals
John 21
1. Jesus appearing again to his disciples is known of them by the great catch of fish.
12. He dines with them;
15. earnestly commands Peter to feed his lambs and sheep;
18. foretells him of his death;
22. rebukes his curiosity.
24. The conclusion.














So He called out to them
The phrase "called out" in Greek is "φωνέω" (phonéō), which means to call or to speak loudly. This word is often used in the New Testament to denote a voice that carries authority and urgency. In this context, Jesus is not merely speaking; He is reaching out with a voice that commands attention and conveys care. The setting is significant: the disciples are on the Sea of Galilee, a place of previous miracles and teachings. Jesus' call is a reminder of His ever-present guidance and concern for His followers, even when they are unaware of His presence.

Children
The Greek word used here is "παιδία" (paidia), which translates to "little children" or "young ones." This term is one of endearment and intimacy, reflecting Jesus' deep affection for His disciples. It is a reminder of the familial relationship between Jesus and His followers. In a broader scriptural context, this term echoes the call to childlike faith and dependence on God, as seen in passages like Matthew 18:3. Jesus addresses His disciples with a term that reassures them of their identity and His love, even in moments of failure or doubt.

do you have any fish?
The question posed by Jesus is both practical and symbolic. The Greek word for "fish" here is "προσφάγιον" (prosphagion), which refers to something eaten with bread, often fish. This question is reminiscent of Jesus' earlier miracles of feeding the multitudes and the miraculous catch of fish. It serves as a reminder of His provision and the abundance that comes from obedience to His word. Historically, fishing was a common occupation in Galilee, and this question connects to the disciples' everyday life, emphasizing that Jesus is concerned with both their spiritual and physical needs.

No, they answered
The disciples' response is straightforward and honest. The Greek word for "no" is "οὐ" (ou), a simple negation. This admission of lack sets the stage for the miracle that follows, highlighting a key biblical principle: acknowledgment of our insufficiency is often the precursor to divine intervention. The disciples' empty nets symbolize human effort without divine blessing, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. This moment of honesty opens the door for Jesus to demonstrate His power and provision, reminding believers that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).

(5) Children, have ye any meat?--The word rendered "Children" (or, as the margin has it, Sirs), is used in addressing others only by St. John among the New Testament writers (1John 2:13; 1John 2:18). It is not the word used in John 13:33, where we have an expression denoting His affectionate tenderness for the disciples, which would not have been appropriate here, for He does not at once reveal His identity to them. It is a word which, indeed, may express His love for them (comp. John 4:49), but which appears also to have been used as an address to workmen or inferiors, not unlike our own words "boys" or "lads." They seem to take it in this sense, as though some traveller passing by asked the question because he wished to purchase some of their fish.

The word rendered "meat" occurs here only in the New Testament. It means anything eaten with bread, and was used as equivalent to the fish which was the ordinary relish. (Comp. Note on John 6:9.) . . .

Verses 5, 6. - Jesus therefore saith unto them. They failed to recognize his first appearance, so he permits them to hear the voice which had often poured such music into their ears. Children; not τεκνία, the phrase used in John 13:33, but παιδία, "young people," "lads" - a term of less intimate familiarity, though the apostle himself used it in 1 John 2:13, 18 (in vers. 1 and 12 τρεκνία is used, apparently in interchange with it). The μή τι suggests a negative answer. Προσφάγιον is that which is eaten with bread, and is commonly ὄψον or ὀψάριον, something roasted for the purpose of eating with bread. Since fish was very frequently used for the purpose, the word was often used for "fish" itself (LXX., Numbers 11:22; John 6.9, 11. Other equivalent words are found in Attic Greek, προσφάγημα, προσόψημα). Children (lads, young men yonder), you have nothing, I suppose, to eat? They answered him, No. In all this scene the risen Lord showed himself interested and co-operating with them in their daily toil, as engaged in the same work with them. Their listless manner showed that they had toiled in vain, and, perhaps with tone or gesture of unwillingness to confess their failure, they replied in the negative. Then he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship; the side opposite to that on which they were dragging it along. Moreover, the "right hand," the "right eye," the "right ear," the "right side," are proverbially the more useful, fruitful, or honorable. The imagery is preserved throughout Scripture. And ye shall find. Therefore they cast it. And in order to do this they would probably have had to haul a considerable portion of it into the boat for the necessary transference from left to right. They at once obeyed the summons, remembering what they had previously found to have been their experience (Luke 5.), and no longer were they able, or had they strength, to draw it into the boat. Ἐλκύσαι, is here quite a different process from the σύροντες of ver. 8, which describes the hauling, tugging, of the net to shore. The difficulty arose from (or, because of) the multitude of the fishes. The miracle here is a simple indication of the higher knowledge which the Lord possessed. This huge shoal may, humanly speaking, have been perceived in its approach; so that the event is more impressive in its analogical force than in its supernatural machinery. It suggests the surprising results that would accompany their labor when they should under the Lord's own injunction and inspiration, become veritable fishers of men. The parabolic teaching of this miracle is unusually obvious.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

[He]
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

called out
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to them,
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Children,
Παιδία (Paidia)
Noun - Vocative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3813: Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian.

do you have
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

any
τι (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

fish?”
προσφάγιον (prosphagion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4371: Neuter of a presumed derivative of a compound of pros and phago; something eaten in addition to bread, i.e. A relish.

“No,”
Οὔ (Ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

they answered.
Ἀπεκρίθησαν (Apekrithēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.


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