Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 21:4

"But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." — John 21:4 (ASV)

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. (John 21:4)

We must remember that a great change had taken place in him, and that the disciples were at some distance from the shore. They saw a person standing there, but they were not sure who it was.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Yet he was their old familiar friend. Was it their unbelief? Let us hope not. Was it that a remarkable change had passed over the Master – that, after his resurrection from the dead, there was a glory about him quite unusual, such as they had never seen before, except when they were with him on the holy mount? Perhaps so.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus (John 21:4).

They were thinking of fishing, so they saw boats, and nets, and the sea; if they had been thinking of Jesus, they would have looked for him, and when he came, they would have known him.