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.” 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.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
John 21:15-17
John 21 [12.] Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21 [13.] Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. 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.” 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.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. [18.] Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.” Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21 [20.] Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
Meaning:
After the resurrection the angel at the tomb had sent word to “his disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:7). Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night of his arrest, and then he “wept” (Mark 14:72). Here, beside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus deals personally with Peter’s failure.
- “do you love me more than these?”
Jesus calls him “Simon, son of Jonah”, his old name, not “Peter”, the rock. The question “more than these” recalls Peter’s boast: “Although all will be offended, yet I will not” (Mark 14:29). He had claimed greater loyalty than the others.
- “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you”
The World English Bible brings out two different words in the original. Jesus first asks, “do you love me?” using the word for committed, self-giving love, and Peter answers with a humbler word, “I have affection for you.” The third time, Jesus uses Peter’s own word: “do you have affection for me?” He meets Peter where he is.
- “Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time”
Three questions match three denials. The repetition hurts, but the pain leads to healing. Peter does not defend himself; he throws himself on Jesus’ knowledge: “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”
- “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep”
Each confession is answered with a commission. Jesus does not merely forgive Peter; he restores him to service and entrusts him with the care of his flock. The Good Shepherd, who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11), makes Peter an under-shepherd. Years later Peter wrote to church leaders, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you” (1 Peter 5:2).
The Significance of John 21:15-17
- Failure is not the end
Jesus restores those who have failed him and gives them work to do. Love for him, not past performance, is what he asks.
- Love shows itself in care for others
The proof of loving Jesus is caring for those who belong to him.
Cross-References:
Mark 16:7: "But go, tell his disciples and Peter," Peter singled out after the resurrection.
Mark 14:72: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." The denials this conversation heals.
1 Peter 5:2: "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you," Peter passes on the charge he received.
Conclusion: Beside the Sea of Galilee Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved him, matching his three denials. Peter, humbled, answered with honest affection and appealed to Jesus’ knowledge of his heart. Each answer was met with a commission to feed and tend Christ’s sheep. The passage shows how completely Jesus forgives and restores, and how love for him is lived out in caring for his people.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible