John 21:16

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith {G3004} to him {G846} again {G3825} the second time {G1208}, Simon {G4613}, son of Jonas {G2495}, lovest thou {G25} me {G3165}? He saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Yea {G3483}, Lord {G2962}; thou {G4771} knowest {G1492} that {G3754} I love {G5368} thee {G4571}. He saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Feed {G4165} my {G3450} sheep {G4263}.

A second time he said to him, “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan, do you love me?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I’m your friend.” He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep.”

Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep.

Context

This verse is part of a profound post-resurrection encounter between the resurrected Jesus and His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, following a miraculous catch of fish and a breakfast on the shore. It is the second of a three-fold exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter, directly mirroring Peter's three-fold denial of Christ before the crucifixion. Here, Jesus is not merely forgiving Peter but also restoring him to a position of leadership and service, reaffirming His call on Peter's life.

Key Themes

  • Restoration and Forgiveness: Jesus graciously provides Peter an opportunity to affirm his love and commitment after his significant failure, demonstrating God's willingness to forgive and reinstate.
  • Love as a Prerequisite for Service: The repeated questioning about love highlights that genuine affection for Christ is the foundational motivation for all spiritual leadership and care for His people.
  • Pastoral Responsibility: The command "Feed my sheep" is a direct commission to shepherd and nurture believers. It underscores the vital role of spiritual leaders in providing guidance, protection, and nourishment to the flock of God.
  • Reaffirmation of Discipleship: This moment solidifies Peter's renewed commitment to Jesus and his crucial role in the early church, emphasizing that past mistakes do not disqualify one from future service when true repentance and love are present.

Linguistic Insights

The original Greek provides a deeper understanding of this exchange. In the first question (John 21:15), Jesus uses the word agapao (ἀγαπάω), which denotes a deep, unconditional, divine love. Peter responds with phileo (φιλέω), signifying brotherly affection, fondness, or friendship. In this second question, Jesus again asks, "lovest thou me?" using agapao. Peter again replies with phileo, stating, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." This repeated distinction subtly highlights Peter's humility and perhaps his awareness that his love, while genuine, might not yet reach the perfect standard of divine agape. Yet, Jesus accepts Peter's phileo love as sufficient for the weighty commission, "Feed my sheep." The command "Feed" translates to bosko (βόσκω), which means to graze or provide pasture, emphasizing the practical spiritual nourishment and care for the flock, echoing Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd.

Practical Application

John 21:16 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our past failures do not define our future in Christ; His forgiveness and grace are always available for restoration. The passage powerfully connects our love for Jesus with our service to others. If we truly love the Lord, that love should compel us to care for His people, nurturing their faith and providing spiritual sustenance. This applies not only to those in formal leadership but to every believer called to bear one another's burdens and encourage one another in the faith. It is a call to be a shepherd, in whatever capacity God has given us, guided by a heart of love for Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

  • 1 Peter 5:2

    Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

  • 1 Peter 2:25

    For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

  • John 10:11

    I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

  • John 10:16

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

  • Psalms 100:3

    Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

  • Psalms 95:7

    ¶ For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
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