What does John 21:2 mean?

When Jesus spoke to several women shortly after His resurrection, He passed along instructions meant for the disciples: they should meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:9–10). Between then and the moment depicted in this verse, Jesus has made at least two appearances to groups of the disciples (John 20:19, 26). It's not clear if all the disciples made their way to Galilee yet, but for now there are seven together: Peter (John 20:1–3), Thomas (John 11:16; 20:28), Nathanael (John 1:45–49), James and John (Matthew 10:2; Luke 5:10), and two others who are not named.

Though Jesus told these men He would meet them in Galilee, we're not told if other instructions were given. The men might simply be waiting. Either from boredom, or a need to earn a living, Peter will decide to go back out onto the lake and resume fishing (John 1:35–42). The other six, for the same possible reasons, will go with him (John 21:3).