John 21:17

Translations

Modern

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Traditional

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Literal

He says to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you dearly love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you dearly love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I dearly love You.” Jesus says to him, “Feed My sheep.

Latin

Dicit ei tertio: Simon Joannis, amas me? Contristatus est Petrus, quia dixit ei tertio: Amas me? et dixit ei: Domine, tu omnia nosti, tu scis quia amo te. Dixit ei: Pasce oves meas.

Interlinear

Greek

English

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Notes

John 21:17

Feed my sheep: Jesus, who knows everything, understood that despite Peter’s terrible failure, he still had faith and commitment to Jesus (1:42; 2:25; 16:30). These words called Peter to care for and protect Christ’s followers.

John 21:15–17

Do you love me?: These three questions and affirmations recall Peter’s three denials (18:15–18, 25–27). Jesus invited Peter to reaffirm everything he had denied.
The Greek word for love in the first two questions (agapaō) differs from the word in his third question (phileō). In each case, Peter responded with the second word (phileō). Most Greek scholars view the two words as synonyms in this situation.
The conversation Jesus had with Peter focused not on the quality of Peter’s love, but rather on Peter’s task to care for the followers of Jesus. First Peter 5:2–4 might be a meditation on these events.

John 21:1–25

This final chapter includes a story about the resurrected Jesus in Galilee. It describes the conversation between Peter and Jesus about Peter’s love for him (21:1–14; 21:15–23). The chapter concludes by summarizing the authority and importance of John’s eyewitness account (21:24–25).

Theme notes and profiles

Simon Peter Encounters with Jesus Fishing in Galilee Miracles Paul’s Role as an Apostle

Related verses

John 13:38
“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
John 16:30
Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.”
Mark 14:72
And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Acts 15:8
And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
2 Peter 1:12–15
Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.
Revelation 2:23
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
John 21:15–16
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
John 18:27
Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.
John 18:4
Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
2 Corinthians 1:12
For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world John: The father of Simon Peter Peter: Apostle of Jesus, leader in the early church

Glossary

Andrew, the Apostle Apostle, Apostleship Bar-Jona Galilee Jesus Christ, Teachings of John (Person) John, the Apostle Jonas Peter, the Apostle Resurrection Sheep

Topics

Apostles: Commission of Christ is God: As Omniscient Christian Minister: Duties of Christian Minister: Pastors Discipleship: Tests of Faith: Trial of of Peter, when Asked Whether he Loved Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Love of Jesus, the Christ: Omniscience of Jonas: Father of Peter Love to Christ: Peter Love: 0F Man for Jesus Ministers are Bound to Feed the Church Obeying God Peter: Present at Lake Tiberias when Jesus Appeared to his Disciples Sheep of the People of Christ Simon Peter The Trinity: Each Person In, Described as Omniscient

John 21:17

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