John 21:16

Following Jesus Serving others Love for others

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

¹⁵ 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.

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.

¹⁸ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 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.

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: 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.”
KJV: 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.
WEB: He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
ASV: 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.
DARBY: He says to him again a second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Shepherd my sheep.
BLB: He says to him again a second time, “Simon [son] of John, do you love Me?” He says to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I dearly love You.” He says to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

ÅB: Igjen sier han til ham, annen gang: Simon, Johannes' sønn! elsker du meg? Han sier til ham: Ja, Herre! du vet at jeg har deg kjær. Han sier til ham: Vokt mine sauer!
OTB: Han spurte ham igjen: «Simon, Johannes' sønn, elsker du meg?» Han svarte: «Ja, Herre, du vet at jeg elsker deg.» Jesus sa: «Vokt mine får.»
B1930: Atter sier han til ham, annen gang: Simon, Johannes' sønn! elsker du mig? Han sier til ham: Ja, Herre! du vet at jeg har dig kjær. Han sier til ham: Vokt mine får!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

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
1 Peter 5:2
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Read in context
1 Peter 2:25
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Read in context
Psalms 100:3
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Read in context
John 10:11–16
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Read in context
Psalms 95:7
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
Read in context
Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Read in context
Luke 15:3–7
And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
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