Peter’s Love
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked 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. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:15-19
This is Jesus’ third post-resurrection appearance. Seven disciples are on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (21:1,2). They had fished unsuccessfully all night until an unrecognised Jesus called out to them to throw their net on the other side. Their willingness to do this has brought in a massive haul of fish. Realising who it was calling out, Peter has swum to the shore and now all together, the group has enjoyed a common breakfast together.
The time has come to address Peter’s earlier denials that he even knew Jesus on the night of His arrest. Interestingly, Jesus has prepared a charcoal fire, the same kind of fire Peter warmed himself by during His denials in the court of the high priest (18:18).
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” Jesus probably means: do you love Me more than these other disciples love Me? Peter had previously been the most emphatic in pronouncing His loyalty to Jesus (13:37,38). Peter’s answer is a little more subdued, “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” John has Jesus using the Greek word agapao (i.e. “Do you truly love Me with the God kind of love more than these?”) Peter’s answer uses phileo (i.e. “Yes Lord. You know I love you as a brother.”). Jesus then responds “Feed my lambs” meaning He is telling Peter to spiritually feed new believers.
‘Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”’ We again have agapao. ‘He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”’ Peter’s response is still phileo, brotherly love. Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep” meaning ‘Care for believers.’
‘The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”’ This time Jesus uses phileo, brotherly love, the term Peter has come back with each time. ‘Peter was hurt because Jesus asked the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”’ Peter continues to use phileo, meaning “Lord you know I love you as a brother.” ‘Jesus said, “Feed my sheep”’ meaning ‘Spiritually feed the believers.’ Peter had denied Jesus three times (18:18,25-27) and now as part of his restoration he has three times re-expressed his love for Him and has now been recommissioned three times.
‘“I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”’ When Peter was younger, he really did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. But his older years would be different. Stretching out the hands is an allusion to the way those to be crucified were forced to stretch out their arms and carry the cross beam to the place of their crucifixion. John leaves no doubt what Jesus meant, ‘Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.’ Peter is known to have suffered a violent death by crucifixion.
‘Then he said to him, “Follow me!”’ Peter was being called to follow Jesus in obedience, an obedience that would see him die the same way His master had.
The path of discipleship is the way of the cross. Jesus had earlier said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). The great English evangelist and teacher, Alan Redpath, made famous these words, “Before we can pray ‘Thy kingdom come,’ we must be willing to pray ‘My kingdom go.’” Are you willing to do that?
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