What Does John 21:7 Mean in the King James?

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

John 21:7 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

One disciple names the Lord; Peter answers that recognition by throwing his own body toward him.

THE MEANING

Another voice makes the Lord recognizable, and recognition takes bodily form: Peter girds his coat while exposed, then throws himself into the sea toward Jesus before the boat reaches shore.

THE ROOT

ἔβαλεν

ebalen

GROWS FROM

βαλλ

ball

throw, cast

The verb is ⁨βάλλω⁩ (ballō), to throw or cast. Peter makes his own body the thing thrown into the sea; in Mark 10:50, a compound of this same root describes Bartimaeus throwing off his garment before coming to Jesus.

ALSO GROWS

ballō: to throw, cast

βάλλω

This is the verb behind Peter’s leap: he throws himself into the sea toward Jesus.

apoballō: to throw away, cast off

ἀποβάλλω

Mark 10:50 uses this compound for Bartimaeus casting away his garment before he rises and comes to Jesus.

THE PATTERN

Encounter with the one recognized or approached becomes bodily movement toward him.

And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

Genesis 24:64 · KJVSeeing the one she is meeting moves Rebekah to dismount.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Mark 10:50 · KJVBartimaeus answers Jesus’ call by rising and moving toward him.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29 · KJVPeter leaves the boat and crosses the water toward Jesus in response to his word.

THE THREAD

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Mark 10:50 · KJV

John’s verb for Peter throwing himself into the sea and Mark’s verb for Bartimaeus throwing away his garment share the root ⁨βαλλ⁩ (ball), “throw, cast.” Peter casts his body toward Jesus; Bartimaeus casts his garment aside before coming to him.

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