John 21:14
“This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.”
What does John 21:14 mean?
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers several times to reassure them and restore their broken faith. This particular verse marks a turning point, noting that what the disciples were experiencing was becoming a pattern, not just a one-time shock. Each appearance was Jesus demonstrating that he was genuinely alive and present with them, which was crucial because many were still struggling to believe what had happened. By emphasizing "the third time," John reminds us that Jesus was patient and persistent in meeting his disciples where they were, appearing again and again until their doubt could transform into confident faith.