Why did Peter say 'I go fishing' in John 21:3 after the resurrection?
Peter returned to fishing because he did not yet grasp that the resurrection had not ended the Lord's purposes. He thought things were finished or lost, not realizing much work remained. So he went back to his old profession on Galilee, and the other disciples followed him.
Les explains that Simon Peter's statement, "I go fishing," in John 21:3 shows that Peter as yet just didn't comprehend that things weren't all down the drain. There was still a lot left to be done, but Peter was ready to go back to his old profession of fishing up there on Galilee. The rest of the disciples said they would go with him. They entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing. The next morning they still hadn't caught anything. Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. He asked, "Children, have ye any meat?" and they said no. He told them to cast on the right hand of the ship, and they would find; they caught so many that the net almost broke. Later Jesus said, "Bring of the fish which you have now caught." Simon Peter drew the net to land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty-three, and though there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said, "Come and dine," and took bread and gave them, and fish likewise. Les thinks Jesus partook with them and they had a glorious breakfast there.
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
More Questions
Why did Peter say he was going fishing in John 21?
When Peter said 'I go fishing,' he meant that he was going back to where he came from; after seeing the resurrected Lord, it still had not registered, so he wanted to return to his old fishing life.