John 21:15

Following Jesus Serving others Love for others

¹³ Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

¹⁴ This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

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.

¹⁶ He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

¹⁷ 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.

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 him, because he first loved us.
Read in context
Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Read in context
Romans 15:1
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 5:14–15
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Read in context
1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Read in context
1 Peter 5:1–4
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Read in context
Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Read in context
Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Read in context