John 21:15-17
Jesus’ Threefold Restoration of Peter
15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,(a) do you love(b) Me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”
“Feed(A) My lambs,”(B) He told him.
“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”
“Feed(A) My lambs,”(B) He told him.
16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love(C) Me?”(D)
“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”
“Shepherd(E) My sheep,”(F) He told him.
“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”
“Shepherd(E) My sheep,”(F) He told him.
17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love(G) Me?”
Peter was grieved(H) that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything!(I) You know that I love You.”
“Feed(J) My sheep,” Jesus said.
Peter was grieved(H) that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything!(I) You know that I love You.”
“Feed(J) My sheep,” Jesus said.
Footnotes:
a.
John 21:15: Other mss read Simon, son of Jonah; Mt 16:17; Jn 1:42
b.
John 21:15: Two synonyms are translated love in this conversation: agapao, the first 2 times by Jesus (vv. 15-16); and phileo, the last time by Jesus (v. 17) and all 3 times by Peter (vv. 15-17). Peter’s threefold confession of love for Jesus corresponds to his earlier threefold denial of Jesus; Jn 18:15-18,25-27.
Cross references:
A.
John 21:15:
Matthew 8:30; Matthew 8:33; Mark 5:11; Mark 5:14; Luke 8:32; Luke 8:34; Luke 15:15; John 21:17
C.
John 21:16:
Luke 6:35
D.
John 21:16:
Luke 10:27
I.
John 21:17:
John 16:30
J.
John 21:17:
John 21:15