The mission originates in captivation: ἁλιεύω, πιάζω, σύρω, ἕλκω. (Jn 21:6-11) 105 the same boat, he actually asks Jesus to get out of it (ἔξελθε ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ), which many critics have thought comical (must Jesus walk on the water again?). V. Peter as Jesus’ Proxy and Peter’s Precaution Has v. 7 ever been explained? The Beloved Disciple, who will always discern Jesus, recognizes him. Simon takes his hint, as of an oracle (cf. Joshua’s subordination to Eleazar at Num 27:21-22), and reacts normally, disregarding Jesus’ sarcasms against mere observances. He puts on and secures (“girding” implying readiness for action) his upper garment (cf. Jn 13:12), ἦν γὰρ γυμνός (cf. LXX Is 20:2-3), and threw himself, dived, into the Lake. Was either act necessary (one must remember the cold)? Not all cultures require a male person’s torso to be covered while visiting an important person, or a deity in his/her temple, just as not all cultures require the head to be covered out of respect. In fact the Lake was a gigantic immersion-pool60. Peter will reach the shore before the boat61, and he must be in a proper condition to meet Jesus. His garments and his body need to be immersed for him to enter Jesus’ rāšût, which is holy space62. Moreover he must not convey impurity to the fish who will do the same. Fish are not liable to impurity so long as they are alive, or capable of being revivified63. When Peter lands the catch all the big ones will still be alive. However, one may die at any moment and Peter, if not immersed, might convey impurity to them, and they would be unfit to be offered to Jesus (cf. Jn 20:17). That Jesus is entitled to some fish we already know, and shortly he will brusquely demand them. Some Pharisees might object that any tightness of Peter’s waist-band around the loins or the upper gar- ment would invalidate the immersion64, but by the time Peter has swum the 100 yards that objection cannot be verified. Mishnah, Parāh 8:8; Miqwā´ôt 5:4. P. Blackman, Mishnayoth VI Taharoth (London, 60 1955), 442, 559. I take πλοιάριον (v.8) to be identical with πλοῖον (v.3) (use of diminutives in koine 61 Gk.). Dt 23:15; Josh 5:15; Job 25:5; Hab 1:13. Cf. Mt 8:8. A. Edersheim sensed this point: Life 62 and Times of Jesus the Messiah (London, 1906), II, 647-649. Mishnah, UkPîn 3:8 (Blackman, Mishnayoth, Taharoth, 794). The view of the School 63 of Shammai is rejected. The distinction is explained by Ginzberg, On Jewish Law and Lore, 122. Mishnah, Miqw. 9 (Blackman, n. 60 above, 576-579). 64