John 21:17

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

λέγει

G3004

He saith

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

G846

unto him

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

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τρίτον

G5154

the third

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

Σίμων

G4613

time Simon

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

Ἰωνᾶ,

G2495

son of Jonas

jonas (i.e., jonah), the name of two israelites

φιλῶ

G5368

I love

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;

με

G3165

thou me

ἐλυπήθη

G3076

was grieved

to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad

#10

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#11

Πέτρος

G4074

Peter

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

#12

ὅτι

G3754

because

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

#13

εἶπεν

G2036

he said

to speak or say (by word or writing)

#14

αὐτῷ

G846

unto him

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

#15

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#16

τρίτον

G5154

the third

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

#17

φιλῶ

G5368

I love

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;

#18

με

G3165

thou me

#19

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#20

εἶπεν

G2036

he said

to speak or say (by word or writing)

#21

αὐτῷ

G846

unto him

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

#22

Κύριε

G2962

Lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

#23

σὺ

G4771

thou

#24

πάντα

G3956

all things

all, any, every, the whole

#25

οἶδας

G1492

knowest

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

#26

σὺ

G4771

thou

#27

γινώσκεις

G1097

knowest

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

#28

ὅτι

G3754

because

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

#29

φιλῶ

G5368

I love

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;

#30

σε

G4571

thee

#31

λέγει

G3004

He saith

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

#32

αὐτῷ

G846

unto him

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

#33

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#34

Ἰησοῦς

G2424

Jesus

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

#35

Βόσκε

G1006

Feed

to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze

#36

τὰ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#37

πρόβατά

G4263

sheep

something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)

#38

μου

G3450

of me

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show patron-client relationships and family loyalty concepts, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from covenant faithfulness to sacrificial love demonstrated in Christ, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the divine love theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of divine love, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of theology proper and the doctrine of God?

Related Resources

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John 21:17

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Topics

People

Study Resources