John 21:17
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.
Jesus asked a third time
The repetition of Jesus' question to Peter is significant. In the Greek, the word for "third" is "triton," which emphasizes completeness and finality. This mirrors Peter's three denials of Jesus, offering a full circle of redemption and restoration. The number three often symbolizes divine wholeness and perfection in Scripture, underscoring the thoroughness of Peter's reinstatement.

Simon son of John
Jesus addresses Peter by his original name, "Simon," which is derived from the Hebrew "Shim'on," meaning "he has heard." This formal address may serve to remind Peter of his human frailty and his need to listen and obey. The use of "son of John" grounds Peter in his earthly identity, yet also calls him to rise to his spiritual calling.

do you love Me?
The Greek word for love used here is "agapao," which denotes a selfless, sacrificial love. Jesus is probing the depth of Peter's commitment, asking if his love transcends mere affection and reaches the level of total devotion. This question challenges Peter to reflect on the nature of his love for Christ, moving beyond emotional attachment to a love that is willing to serve and sacrifice.

Peter was deeply hurt
The Greek word for "deeply hurt" is "lypeo," which conveys a sense of grief or distress. Peter's pain is not just from the repetition of the question but from the realization of his past failures. This emotional response is a catalyst for genuine repentance and transformation, illustrating the process of spiritual growth through confronting one's shortcomings.

that Jesus had asked him a third time
The thrice-repeated question is a deliberate act by Jesus to heal and restore Peter. Each repetition serves as a balm for each denial, emphasizing the completeness of forgiveness. This reflects the biblical principle that God’s grace is sufficient to cover all transgressions, no matter how many times we fall.

Lord, You know all things
Peter acknowledges Jesus' omniscience, using the Greek word "oida," which implies complete and perfect knowledge. This confession is an act of faith, recognizing that Jesus understands the true condition of Peter's heart. It is a reminder that God sees beyond our words and actions to the sincerity of our intentions.

You know I love You
Here, Peter uses the Greek word "phileo," which signifies brotherly love or affection. This choice of word indicates Peter's humility, as he refrains from claiming the higher "agape" love. It reflects an honest self-assessment, acknowledging his limitations while still affirming his genuine affection for Christ.

Feed My sheep
The command to "feed" is translated from the Greek "bosko," which means to nourish or provide sustenance. "My sheep" refers to the followers of Christ, emphasizing the pastoral responsibility entrusted to Peter. This charge is a call to spiritual leadership, urging Peter to care for the church with the same love and dedication that Christ has shown. It highlights the role of a leader as a servant, tasked with nurturing and guiding the flock in truth and love.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
- The resurrected Christ, who is reaffirming Peter's role among the disciples.

2. Simon Peter
- One of Jesus' closest disciples, who previously denied Jesus three times.

3. Sea of Tiberias
- The location where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection.

4. The Disciples
- The group of Jesus' followers who were present during this encounter.

5. The Threefold Question
- Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, paralleling Peter's three denials.
Teaching Points
Restoration and Forgiveness
Jesus' questioning of Peter serves as a moment of restoration, showing that past failures do not disqualify us from future service.

Love as the Foundation of Service
The repeated question "Do you love Me?" emphasizes that genuine love for Christ is the foundation for any ministry or service.

The Role of Shepherding
Jesus' command to "feed My sheep" highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and care within the Christian community.

The Omniscience of Christ
Peter's acknowledgment that Jesus knows all things reminds us of Christ's divine knowledge and understanding of our hearts.

Emotional Honesty in Faith
Peter's hurt at being asked a third time shows the importance of emotional honesty in our relationship with Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Peter's response to Jesus' questioning in John 21:17 demonstrate his growth since his denial of Christ?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of restoration seen in this passage to our own lives or to those we mentor?

3. How does the command to "feed My sheep" relate to the responsibilities of church leaders today?

4. What does Peter's acknowledgment of Jesus' omniscience teach us about how we should approach our own doubts and failures?

5. How can we ensure that our love for Christ remains the foundation of our service and ministry efforts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 26:34-75
This passage recounts Peter's threefold denial of Jesus, which is directly connected to the threefold questioning in John 21:17.

1 Peter 5:2
Peter later exhorts church leaders to "shepherd the flock of God," reflecting his understanding and acceptance of Jesus' command to "feed My sheep."

Luke 22:31-32
Jesus predicts Peter's denial but also prays for his faith, indicating a future role of strengthening his brothers, which is fulfilled in John 21:17.
Care for ChildrenPreacher's Lantern.John 21:15-17
Care for the ChildrenW. Baxendale.John 21:15-17
Children a Trust from GodDr. Potter.John 21:15-17
Christ Loved from GratitudeC. H. Spurgeon.John 21:15-17
Christ's Sympathy with the Lambs of His FlockJ. Mood.John 21:15-17
Claims of ChildrenJoseph Cook.John 21:15-17
Conscious Love for ChristH. C. Trumbull, D. D.John 21:15-17
Conscious Love for JesusDr. Thompson.John 21:15-17
Feed My LambsNewman Hall, LL. B.John 21:15-17
Feed My SheepC. H. Spurgeon.John 21:15-17
Importance of ChildrenFamily TreasuryJohn 21:15-17
Jesus Questioning Peter's LoveC. J. Deems, D. D.John 21:15-17
Love a Good AuguryC. H. Spurgeon.John 21:15-17
Love Before its JudgeC. Stanford, D. D.John 21:15-17
Love to ChristR. Watson.John 21:15-17
Love to ChristD. S. Brunton.John 21:15-17
Love to ChristCongregational RemembrancerJohn 21:15-17
Love to ChristHomiletic MonthlyJohn 21:15-17
Love to Christ UniqueLacordaire.John 21:15-17
Love to the SaviourE. Griffin, D. D.John 21:15-17
Lovest Thou MeC. H. Spurgeon.John 21:15-17
Lovest Thou MeBp. Ryle.John 21:15-17
Lovest Thou MeC. H. Spurgeon.John 21:15-17
Lovest Thou Me?J. Stalker, M. A.John 21:15-17
Ministering to ChildrenJ. Houghton, D. D.John 21:15-17
Of Zoning JesusJ. O. Dykes, D. D.John 21:15-17
Peter's Confession of Love to ChristA. Mackennal, D . D.John 21:15-17
Peter's RestorationA. Gray.John 21:15-17
ShepherdingR. J. M'Ghee, M. A., C. H. Spurgeon.John 21:15-17
Supreme Love for ChristD. Judson, D. D.John 21:15-17
Tending the LambsUnion MagazineJohn 21:15-17
The Christian's Love for ChristH. D. Northrop.John 21:15-17
The Claims of ChildrenSocrates.John 21:15-17
The Flock Must be Fed, not AmusedC. H. Spurgeon.John 21:15-17
The Grand InquiryW. Jay.John 21:15-17
The Pastoral OfficeB. Thomas John 21:15-17
The Realm of Love the Sphere of ReligionD. Thomas, D. D.John 21:15-17
The Risen Jesus Questioning Peter's LoveC. Bradley, M. A.John 21:15-17
The Shepherding of the LambsW. G. Horder.John 21:15-17
The Supreme QuestionJ. L. Nye.John 21:15-17
People
Didymus, Jesus, John, Jonah, Jonas, Nathanael, Peter, Simon, Thomas, Zabdi, Zebedee
Places
Cana, Galilee, Sea of Tiberias
Topics
Affection, Attached, Dear, Dearly, Feed, Grieved, Hast, Heart, Hurt, John, Jonah, Jonas, Love, Lovest, Master, Much-loved, Peter, Question, Replied, Says, Sheep, Simon, Tend, Third, Troubled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 21:17

     1170   God, unity of
     2045   Christ, knowledge of
     5115   Peter, preacher and teacher
     5844   emotions
     8654   importunity, to people

John 21:15-17

     2330   Christ, as shepherd
     5053   responsibility, for world
     6718   reconciliation, believers
     8297   love, for God

John 21:15-19

     2060   Christ, patience of
     8150   revival, personal
     8712   denial of Christ

John 21:15-20

     6175   guilt, removal of

John 21:16-17

     4684   sheep

John 21:17-19

     8401   challenges

Library
November 20. "The Disciple whom Jesus Loved Leaned on his Breast" (John xxi. 20).
"The disciple whom Jesus loved leaned on His breast" (John xxi. 20). An American gentleman once visited the saintly Albert Bengel. He was very desirous to hear him pray. So one night he lingered at his door, hoping to overhear his closing devotions. The rooms were adjoining and the doors ajar. The good man finished his studies, closed his books, knelt down for a moment and simply said: "Dear Lord Jesus, things are still the same between us," and then sweetly fell asleep. So close was his communion
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

'Lovest Thou Me?'
'Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My lambs.'--JOHN xxi. 15. Peter had already seen the risen Lord. There had been that interview on Easter morning, on which the seal of sacred secrecy was impressed; when, alone, the denier poured out his heart to his Lord, and was taken to the heart that he had wounded. Then there had been two interviews on the two successive Sundays
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

An Eloquent Catalogue
'There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of His disciples.'--JOHN xxi. 2. This chapter, containing the infinitely significant and pathetic account of our Lord's appearance to these disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, is evidently an appendix to the Gospel of John. The design of that Gospel is complete with the previous chapter, and there is a formal close, as of the whole book, at the end thereof. But whilst
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The Beach and the Sea
'When the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.'--JOHN xxi. 4. The incident recorded in this appendix to John's Gospel is separated from the other appearances of our risen Lord in respect of place, time, and purpose. They all occurred in and about Jerusalem; this took place in Galilee. The bulk of them happened on the day of the Resurrection, one of them a week after. This, of course, to allow time for the journey, must have been at a considerably
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

'It is the Lord!'
'Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord.--JOHN xxi. 7. It seems a very strange thing that these disciples had not, at an earlier period of this incident, discovered the presence of Christ, inasmuch as the whole was so manifestly a repetition of that former event by which the commencement of their ministry had been signalised, when He called them to become 'fishers of men.' We are apt to suppose that when once again they embarked on the lake, and went back to their
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Youth and Age, and the Command for Both
Annual Sermon to the Young '... When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.... And when He had spoken this, He saith unto him, Follow Me.'--JOHN xxi. 18, 19. The immediate reference of these words is, of course, to the martyrdom of the Apostle Peter. Our Lord contrasts the vigorous and somewhat self-willed youth and the mellowed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

'They Also Serve who Only Stand and Wait'
'Peter, seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do! Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me.'--John xxi. 21, 22. We have seen in a former sermon that the charge of the risen Christ to Peter, which immediately precedes these verses, allotted to him service and suffering. The closing words of that charge 'Follow Me!' had a deep significance, as uniting both parts of his task in the one supreme command of imitation of his Master.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

November the Thirteenth a Transformed Fisherman
"Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing." --JOHN xxi. 1-14. Simon Peter had often gone a fishing, but never had he gone as he went in the twilight of that most wonderful evening. He handled the ropes in a new style, with a new dignity born of the bigger capacity of his own soul. He turned to the familiar task, but with a quite unfamiliar spirit. He went a fishing, but the power of the resurrection went with him. This action of Simon Peter's is the only true test of the reality of any spiritual
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Love and Service.
TEXT: JOHN xxi. 16. "He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep." THERE is no more important charge than that which the Lord gave to His apostle in these words. He calls Himself the Shepherd of His flock; therefore what He here committed to the charge of the apostle was to do the Lord's own work in His name, and under His oversight and ruling direction as Chief Shepherd. But
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

On the Same Words of the Gospel of John. xxi. 15, "Simon, Son of John, Lovest Thou Me More than These?" Etc.
1. Ye remember that the Apostle Peter, the first of all the Apostles, was disturbed at the Lord's Passion. Of his own self disturbed, but by Christ renewed. For he was first a bold presumer, and became afterwards a timid denier. He had promised that he would die for the Lord, when the Lord was first to die for him. When he said then, "I will be with Thee even unto death," and "I will lay down my life for Thee;" the Lord answered him, "Wilt thou lay down thy life for Me? Verily I say unto thee, Before
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, John. xxi. 16, "Simon, Son of John, Lovest Thou Me?" Etc.
1. Ye have observed, beloved, that in to-day's lesson it was said by the Lord to Peter in a question, "Lovest thou Me?" To whom he answered, "Thou knowest, Lord, that I love thee." This was done a second, and a third time; and at each several reply, the Lord said, "Feed My lambs." [4317] To Peter did Christ commend His lambs to be fed, who fed even Peter himself. For what could Peter do for the Lord, especially now that He had an Immortal Body, and was about to ascend into heaven? As though He had
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Lovest Thou Me?
Without preface, for we shall have but little time this morning--may God help us to make good use of it!--we shall mention three things: first a solemn question--"Lovest thou me?" secondly, a discreet answer, "Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee;" and thirdly, a required demonstration of the fact, "He saith unto him, Feed my lambs;" or, again, "Feed my sheep." I. First, then, here was A SOLEMN QUESTION, which our Saviour put to Peter, not for his own information, for, as Peter said, "Thou knowest
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Christ among the Common Things of Life
William James Dawson, Congregational preacher and evangelist, was born in Towcester, Northamptonshire, in 1854. He was educated at Kingswood School, Bath, and Didsbury College, Manchester. He has long been known as an author of originality and pure literary style. In 1906 he received the pastorate of Highbury Quadrant Congregational Church, London, and accepted an invitation to do general evangelistic work under the auspices of the National Council of the Congregational churches of the United States.
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume 10

Erroneous Opinions Imputed to the Apostles.
A species of candour which is shown towards every other book is sometimes refused to the Scriptures: and that is, the placing of a distinction between judgment and testimony. We do not usually question the credit of a writer, by reason of an opinion he may have delivered upon subjects unconnected with his evidence: and even upon subjects connected with his account, or mixed with it in the same discourse or writing, we naturally separate facts from opinions, testimony from observation, narrative from
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

Of Avoiding of Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
"My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.(1) For what is it to thee whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no need to answer for others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all things which are done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach.
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Instructions to Converts.
Text.--Feed my lambs.--John xxi. 15. YOU, who read your Bibles, recollect the connection in which these words are found, and by whom they were spoken. They were addressed by the Lord Jesus Christ to Peter, after he had denied his Lord, and had professed repentance. Probably one of the designs which Christ had in view, in suffering Peter to sin so awfully as to deny his master, was to produce a deeper work of grace in him, and thus fit him for the peculiar duty to which he intended to call him, in
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the Raising of the "Dead. " --Facts which it Ignores. --The Subject Related to the Phenomena of Trance
III SYNOPSIS.--Arbitrary criticism of the Biblical narratives of the raising of the "dead."--Facts which it ignores.--The subject related to the phenomena of trance, and records of premature burial.--The resuscitation in Elisha's tomb probably historical.--Jesus' raising of the ruler's daughter plainly a case of this kind.--His raising of the widow's son probably such.--The hypothesis that his raising of Lazarus may also have been such critically examined.--The record allows this supposition.--Further
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Seventh Appearance of Jesus.
(Sea of Galilee.) ^D John XXI. 1-25. ^d 1 After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifested himself on this wise. 2 There was together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee [see p. 111], and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. [As usual, Peter was the leader.] They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat;
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Harmony of the Gospels
36. The church early appreciated the value and the difficulty of having four different pictures of the life and teachings of the Lord. Irenaeus at the close of the second century felt it to be as essential that there should be four gospels as that there should be "four zones of the world, four principal winds, and four faces of the cherubim" (Against Heresies III. ii. 8). 37. Before Irenaeus, however, another had sought to obviate the difficulty of having four records which seem at some points to
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Feeding the Lambs.
Some years ago when attending to the work to which the Lord had called me in one of the sunny Southern States it was my happy privilege to enjoy for a few days the kind hospitality of a generous Christian farmer. One balmy afternoon while walking over the pleasant fields of his large farm, with my heart in sweet communion with God, I came upon the most beautiful flock of sheep it had ever been my privilege to behold. They were quietly grazing in a rich green pasture, near by which silently flowed
Charles Ebert Orr—Food for the Lambs; or, Helps for Young Christians

The Fall of the Empire and of the Papacy
[Sidenote: Urban IV (1261-4).] The date of Alexander's death marks the beginning of a new episode in the history of the mediaval Papacy. His successor, Urban IV, was a Frenchman. With more vigour than his predecessor he pursued the policy of the destruction of the Hohenstaufen. Since the English prince had proved a useless tool and no more money could be wrung from the English people, he obtained the renunciation of the claims of Edmund to the Sicilian crown and turned to his native country for a
D. J. Medley—The Church and the Empire

Epistle xx. To Mauricius Augustus.
To Mauricius Augustus. Gregory to Mauricius, &c. Our most pious and God-appointed lord, among his other august cares and burdens, watches also in the uprightness of spiritual zeal over the preservation of peace among the priesthood, inasmuch as he piously and truly considers that no one can govern earthly things aright unless he knows how to deal with divine things, and that the peace of the republic hangs on the peace of the universal Church. For, most serene Lord, what human power, and what strength
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

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