Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to Peter by the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection, asking the same question for a third time, mirroring the three denials Peter made before the rooster crowed (John 13:38; Mark 14:72).
The words — φιλεῖς (phileis), from φιλέω, carries the sense of personal, affectionate love rather than abstract duty; it is the verb of friendship and attachment, not the more formal ἀγαπάω.
The thread — Peter's reply "You know all things" echoes the disciples' confession in John 16:30; the commission "Feed My sheep" follows the identical command in verse 16, completing a threefold pastoral charge.
Why it lands — The verse places a commission immediately after a confession, making the love claim the basis for a task rather than a feeling, and leaves the reader with the question of what they are actually feeding.
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 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.
Cross-references
- John 13:38 “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
- Mark 14:72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
- John 16:30 Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.”
- John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
- John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
- John 21:15 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.”
- John 18:27 Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.
- Acts 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
- 2 Peter 1:12 Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.
- Revelation 2:23 Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.