John 21:15-17
21:15 Then when they broke fast, 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 love You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.
21:16 He said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My sheep.
21:17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him a 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.
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Here we have Jesus asking Peter three times if Peter loved Him.
First, let’s set up this scene.
Peter and some other disciples had been out fishing, with no luck. Jesus comes along and tells them to put their net in one more time. This time, the catch is so great that it nearly capsizes the boat! It is then that John realizes that it is Jesus on the shore and tells the others. Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to shore while the rest bring the boat and the fish in.
When they get to shore, there is already a fire going and a fish roasting, and bread ready (John 21:9). This one passage shows that Jesus is always ready to supply our needs. After the disciples brought forth the fish that “they” caught (through the providence of Jesus), they all had breakfast around the fire. This is where Jesus asks Peter these three questions.
I remember the first time I read this passage. I kept thinking “What? Are these guys deaf? They have to go over the same thing three times?” But there is imagery and meanings and definitions that go far deeper than simply the same question stated three times.
Peter denied Jesus three times. This question is asked of Peter three times.
Where was Peter when he denied Jesus? He was standing next to a fire to keep warm (Luke 22:56, 60-62). Yet, here he is now standing (or sitting) next to a fire, in the presence of the Lord, affirming his love for Jesus three times.
But perhaps one of the more interesting items is something that does not come through well in the English translations. It is the use of the word “love”. You see, there are several different words in the Greek for love, but there are two of them specifically used here in this passage.
When Jesus asks Peter the first time “Do you love me more than these?”, He is using the word “agape”. Agape love is more of an “intellectual” type of love. It is considered, chosen, and thought out. It can sometimes be referred to as the “nobler” type of love, and also as the “colder” type of love. Agape love is a conscious choice that a person makes regardless of how the other person feels. Jesus is also asking Peter if he loves Him more than the other disciples love Jesus, not if Peter loves Jesus more than he loves the other disciples. A subtle, but important distinction.
Peter replies with “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Here, though, Peter uses the word “phileo” for love. This is more of a “heart” love, with personal attachment, sentiment and feelings. Peter also does not say that he loves Jesus more than the others love Jesus. Perhaps he is thinking back to his boastful statement made during their last Passover meal (Mark 14:29-30).
Then Jesus asks again “Do you love Me?”. This time, Jesus has dropped the “more than the others” part, but still uses the word “agape”. Peter responds identically to this question as to the first.
Then Jesus asks the third time “Do you love Me?” But this time, Jesus uses the word “phileo”. It is almost like Jesus is saying do you really love me like you say you do? Almost as if Jesus doesn’t believe him. Here Peter is hurt deeply. The word used for grieved is “lupeo”. It means to be distressed, sad, full of heaviness or sorrow. Peter does not immediately say “yes, I love You.” He first says “Lord, You know all things,” then says “You know that I love You.” Peter is declaring that Jesus knows his heart. This would, in fact, be an invitation for Jesus to search Peter’s heart to determine if he loves Jesus.
Jesus does know Peters heart, and He can see that Peter does, in fact, love Him.
It was over a fire that Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter ran from that fire hurt, bitter, and full of doubt and fear.
It was over a fire that Peter declared his love for Jesus three times. Peter followed Jesus from that fire (verse 19) healed and restored.
Which fire are you standing over?
If Jesus were to stand before you and look you in the eyes and ask you “Do you love me?” what would you say?
Jesus knows your heart, too. Would you ask Him to search it, knowing full well that nothing can be hidden from Him?
21:16 He said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My sheep.
21:17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him a 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.
===
Here we have Jesus asking Peter three times if Peter loved Him.
First, let’s set up this scene.
Peter and some other disciples had been out fishing, with no luck. Jesus comes along and tells them to put their net in one more time. This time, the catch is so great that it nearly capsizes the boat! It is then that John realizes that it is Jesus on the shore and tells the others. Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to shore while the rest bring the boat and the fish in.
When they get to shore, there is already a fire going and a fish roasting, and bread ready (John 21:9). This one passage shows that Jesus is always ready to supply our needs. After the disciples brought forth the fish that “they” caught (through the providence of Jesus), they all had breakfast around the fire. This is where Jesus asks Peter these three questions.
I remember the first time I read this passage. I kept thinking “What? Are these guys deaf? They have to go over the same thing three times?” But there is imagery and meanings and definitions that go far deeper than simply the same question stated three times.
Peter denied Jesus three times. This question is asked of Peter three times.
Where was Peter when he denied Jesus? He was standing next to a fire to keep warm (Luke 22:56, 60-62). Yet, here he is now standing (or sitting) next to a fire, in the presence of the Lord, affirming his love for Jesus three times.
But perhaps one of the more interesting items is something that does not come through well in the English translations. It is the use of the word “love”. You see, there are several different words in the Greek for love, but there are two of them specifically used here in this passage.
When Jesus asks Peter the first time “Do you love me more than these?”, He is using the word “agape”. Agape love is more of an “intellectual” type of love. It is considered, chosen, and thought out. It can sometimes be referred to as the “nobler” type of love, and also as the “colder” type of love. Agape love is a conscious choice that a person makes regardless of how the other person feels. Jesus is also asking Peter if he loves Him more than the other disciples love Jesus, not if Peter loves Jesus more than he loves the other disciples. A subtle, but important distinction.
Peter replies with “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Here, though, Peter uses the word “phileo” for love. This is more of a “heart” love, with personal attachment, sentiment and feelings. Peter also does not say that he loves Jesus more than the others love Jesus. Perhaps he is thinking back to his boastful statement made during their last Passover meal (Mark 14:29-30).
Then Jesus asks again “Do you love Me?”. This time, Jesus has dropped the “more than the others” part, but still uses the word “agape”. Peter responds identically to this question as to the first.
Then Jesus asks the third time “Do you love Me?” But this time, Jesus uses the word “phileo”. It is almost like Jesus is saying do you really love me like you say you do? Almost as if Jesus doesn’t believe him. Here Peter is hurt deeply. The word used for grieved is “lupeo”. It means to be distressed, sad, full of heaviness or sorrow. Peter does not immediately say “yes, I love You.” He first says “Lord, You know all things,” then says “You know that I love You.” Peter is declaring that Jesus knows his heart. This would, in fact, be an invitation for Jesus to search Peter’s heart to determine if he loves Jesus.
Jesus does know Peters heart, and He can see that Peter does, in fact, love Him.
It was over a fire that Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter ran from that fire hurt, bitter, and full of doubt and fear.
It was over a fire that Peter declared his love for Jesus three times. Peter followed Jesus from that fire (verse 19) healed and restored.
Which fire are you standing over?
If Jesus were to stand before you and look you in the eyes and ask you “Do you love me?” what would you say?
Jesus knows your heart, too. Would you ask Him to search it, knowing full well that nothing can be hidden from Him?
posted by MarkD at 12:16 PM
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