John 21 17

John 21:17 kjv

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.

John 21:17 nkjv

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

John 21:17 niv

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

John 21:17 esv

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

John 21:17 nlt

A third time he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep.

John 21 verses

John 21 17 Meaning

John 21:17 recounts the third and final instance of Jesus asking Peter if he loves Him, following Peter's threefold denial. The question's repetition deeply grieves Peter, who, appealing to Jesus' divine omniscience, humbly affirms his love for the Lord. In response, Jesus reinstates Peter to his leadership role by commissioning him to "Feed My sheep," emphasizing that sincere love for Christ is the essential foundation for dedicated pastoral care and ministry.

John 21 17 Context

John chapter 21 unfolds after Jesus' resurrection, specifically depicting His third post-resurrection appearance to His disciples as a group (v. 14). Earlier, Peter and six other disciples had returned to their former livelihood of fishing in the Sea of Galilee. After an unsuccessful night, Jesus, standing on the shore, miraculously directed them to a massive catch of fish. Following this, He prepared and shared a simple breakfast with them, symbolizing renewed fellowship. This intimate setting provided the backdrop for a deeply personal and pivotal exchange between Jesus and Peter, centered on Peter's triple denial (Jn 18:17, 25-27) and his subsequent restoration. The conversation highlights that Peter's public failure is not a final condemnation, but rather an opportunity for profound spiritual healing and recommissioning, grounding his future apostolic ministry in sincere love for Christ and humble reliance on His divine understanding.

John 21 17 Word analysis

• He said to him the third time,: This explicit mention of "the third time" (τὸ τρίτον - to triton) is profoundly significant, serving as a direct and compassionate reversal of Peter's three denials of Jesus (Jn 18:17, 25, 27). It meticulously unwinds Peter's past betrayal, leading him through a process of repentance and complete restoration, emphasizing grace over his earlier failure.
• 'Simon, son of John,': By using Peter's original birth name, Σίμων Ἰωάννου (Simōn Iōannou), rather than his apostolic name "Peter" (Kēphas - the Rock), Jesus reminds him of his human vulnerability and the person he was before divine calling and grace. It’s a humbling but intimate address, calling him back to the roots of his identity and preparing him for re-establishment in his divine commission.
• 'do you love me?': For this third question, Jesus shifts from using ἀγαπάω (agapaō) in the first two instances to φιλέω (phileō), which expresses brotherly affection, personal fondness, or friendship. This move from divine, selfless love (agapē) to affectionate love (philia) signifies Jesus graciously condescending to Peter’s confessed level of human affection (as Peter used phileō in his first two responses), accepting his genuine but imperfect love as the basis for service.
• Peter was grieved: The Greek ἐλυπήθη (elypēthē) conveys deep sorrow, anguish, or heartfelt pain. Peter’s grief stemmed from understanding the clear implication of Jesus' repeated questioning—it pinpointed his threefold denial—and revealed his profound remorse and repentance for his past actions.
• because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?': This clause directly links Peter's profound sadness to Jesus' repetition of the love question for the third time. It underscores Peter's full comprehension of the direct reference to his earlier denials and the depth of his regret and sorrow over them.
• 'Lord, you know everything;': Peter's response σὺ οἶδας (sy oidas) with πάντα σὺ οἶδας (panta sy oidas) emphasizes his recognition of Jesus' divine omniscience. He appeals to Jesus’ all-knowing nature, realizing he cannot assert his own loyalty from a position of human strength but must rely on Christ's perfect understanding of his true heart, which had already seen his failure.
• 'you know that I love you.': Peter steadfastly maintains his use of φιλῶ (philō), a profound declaration of personal affection and friendship. Now, however, this confession is rooted not in boastful self-confidence, but in humble appeal to Jesus’ divine insight, validating his genuine, though human, love for his Lord.
• Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.': The command Βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου (Boske ta probata mou) explicitly means "Feed My sheep." This third and final commission completes Peter’s restoration to his apostolic office. It entrusts him with the responsibility of nurturing, sustaining, and providing spiritual care for the full body of believers—the entire flock of Christ—a mission rooted directly in his personal love for Jesus.

Words-group analysis

• "He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?'": This powerful threefold interrogation acts as a compassionate and structured process of Peter's rehabilitation. By intentionally referencing his birth name and matching the number of his denials, Jesus invites Peter to acknowledge his past failure fully while reaffirming his future based on sincere, though human, love for Him.
• "Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?'": Peter's deep sorrow at the repetition highlights his contrite heart. This emotional response is vital; it demonstrates true repentance, as the sting of his past betrayal is brought to the surface, cleansing the way for his re-commissioning not from pride but from humility.
• "'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.'": This represents a pivotal moment of spiritual maturity for Peter. His previous boastful self-confidence has been replaced by humble submission to Christ's divine knowledge. He yields to Jesus' all-encompassing understanding, entrusting the assessment of his heart's true devotion to the one who knows all things.
• "Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'": This concluding command unequivocally restores Peter to his apostolic and pastoral role. It articulates that Peter's renewed ministry, grounded in his sincere love for Jesus, is one of deep, nourishing care for all of Christ's followers, transitioning him from a personal experience of restoration to a public charge of service.

John 21 17 Bonus section

The carefully crafted progression of Jesus' commands to Peter over the three questions reflects distinct aspects of pastoral responsibility:

1. "Feed My lambs" (v. 15): Βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου (Boske ta arnia mou) — focused on nurturing new or vulnerable believers, providing basic spiritual sustenance.
2. "Shepherd My sheep" (v. 16): Ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου (Poimaine ta probata mou) — encompasses broader leadership, protection, guidance, and governance of the entire flock.
3. "Feed My sheep" (v. 17): Βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου (Boske ta probata mou) — reiterates the importance of providing sustained spiritual nourishment, now extended to the whole, mature congregation, ensuring their continuous growth and well-being. This sequence beautifully illustrates a holistic view of spiritual leadership, starting from tender care for the young in faith, expanding to overall shepherding, and reaffirming the vital necessity of constant spiritual feeding for all.

John 21 17 Commentary

John 21:17 is the climax of Peter's post-resurrection restoration, specifically addressing and reversing his threefold denial of Christ. Jesus' meticulous repetition of the "Do you love Me?" question, culminating in His use of phileō (affectionate love) to match Peter's own confession, lovingly peels back Peter's shame. Peter’s heartfelt grief confirms his genuine repentance and humble acceptance of his past. By appealing to Jesus' omniscience, Peter acknowledges Christ’s divine knowledge of his heart, signaling a profound shift from self-reliant zeal to humble dependence. The resulting command, "Feed My sheep," underscores that all true pastoral ministry flows from a personal, Christ-centered love and involves diligent, continuous care for His entire flock, integrating both new believers and mature members into a unified community nurtured by spiritual sustenance.