John 21:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
He saith
G3004
λέγει
He saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 38
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 38
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τρίτον
the third
G5154
τρίτον
the third
Strong's:
G5154
Word #:
4 of 38
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
φιλῶ
I love
G5368
φιλῶ
I love
Strong's:
G5368
Word #:
7 of 38
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;
ἐλυπήθη
was grieved
G3076
ἐλυπήθη
was grieved
Strong's:
G3076
Word #:
9 of 38
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
11 of 38
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 38
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 38
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τρίτον
the third
G5154
τρίτον
the third
Strong's:
G5154
Word #:
16 of 38
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
φιλῶ
I love
G5368
φιλῶ
I love
Strong's:
G5368
Word #:
17 of 38
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 38
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 38
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
22 of 38
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
οἶδας
knowest
G1492
οἶδας
knowest
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
25 of 38
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
γινώσκεις
knowest
G1097
γινώσκεις
knowest
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
27 of 38
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
28 of 38
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
φιλῶ
I love
G5368
φιλῶ
I love
Strong's:
G5368
Word #:
29 of 38
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;
λέγει
He saith
G3004
λέγει
He saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
31 of 38
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
32 of 38
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
34 of 38
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Βόσκε
Feed
G1006
Βόσκε
Feed
Strong's:
G1006
Word #:
35 of 38
to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
36 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 13:38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.Mark 14:72And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.John 16:30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.Acts 15:8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;Psalms 17:3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.John 15:10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Historical Context
Church tradition records Peter's martyrdom under Nero (c. 64-68 AD), crucified upside down as he deemed himself unworthy to die like His Lord. His life demonstrated the reality of his love for Christ expressed here.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's thorough restoration after failure demonstrate His grace and patience?
- In what ways can you 'feed Christ's sheep' in your sphere of influence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The third question grieves Peter—perhaps because it exposes his past denials or because Jesus seems to doubt his love. Yet this third questioning completes Peter's restoration: three denials, three professions, three commissions. Peter's appeal to Christ's omniscience ('thou knowest all things') expresses humble dependence. The final command 'Feed my sheep' commissions Peter for his life's work, fulfilled in his leadership of the early church and writing of epistles.