John 21:15
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
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.”
16 Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
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.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.”
- KJV
- So when they had dined, 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.
- WEB
- So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
- ASV
- So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of John, 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.
- DARBY
- When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs.
- BLB
- Therefore when they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, “Simon [son] of John, do you love Me more than these?” He says to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I dearly love You.” He says to him, “Feed My lambs.”
- ÅB
- Da de nå hadde holdt måltid, sier Jesus til Simon Peter: Simon, Johannes' sønn! elsker du meg mere enn disse? Han sier til ham: Ja, Herre! du vet at jeg har deg kjær. Han sier til ham: Fø mine lam!
- OTB
- Etter at de hadde spist, sa Jesus til Simon Peter: «Simon, Johannes' sønn, elsker du meg mer enn disse?» Han svarte: «Ja, Herre, du vet at jeg elsker deg.» Jesus sa: «Fø mine lam.»
- B1930
- Da de nu hadde holdt måltid, sier Jesus til Simon Peter: Simon, Johannes' sønn! elsker du mig mere enn disse? Han sier til ham: Ja, Herre! du vet at jeg har dig kjær. Han sier til ham: Fø mine lam!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 John 4:19
We love because He first loved us.
Read in contextIsaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
Read in contextRomans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Read in context2 Corinthians 5:14–15
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
Read in context1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
Read in context1 Peter 5:1–4
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
Read in contextEphesians 6:24
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Read in contextActs 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Read in context