Bible Strands
John 21:16
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Simon son of John a second time during a post-resurrection meal to ask if he loves Him. Peter answers that Jesus knows he loves Him, and Jesus commands him to shepherd His sheep.
The words — ἀγαπᾷς (agapas) translates literally as "do you love" and forms the core of Jesus' repeated inquiry. The command shifts the metaphor to shepherding, distinguishing this exchange from the first where Jesus said "feed My lambs."
The thread — This shepherd instruction runs parallel to Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2, which charge overseers to watch over and feed God's flock. It also aligns with 1 Peter 2:25, which identifies Jesus as the Shepherd and Overseer of souls.
Why it lands — The text requires Peter to verbally affirm his love and accept the duty of caring for Jesus' followers. It places the responsibility for spiritual oversight on a confessed believer rather than on status or personal achievement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 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.
- 1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
- 1 Peter 2:25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- Psalms 100:3 Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
- John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- Psalms 95:7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,
- Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
- Matthew 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”
- Matthew 25:32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.