John 21:15-17

Do you love me more than these? Than these other disciples do? [Some think it means: "Than you love the boat and the fishing business?" McGarvey thinks this.] This incident with Peter is probably to show him that he is still an apostle and shares the obligation with the others. There is a subtle "play on words" in the original language. Jesus does not say Peter (a rock), but Simon (a hearing, Genesis 29:33). Twice Jesus asks: "Do you love me?" [AGAPE]; and Peter answers: "You know that I like you" [PHILOS]. The third time, Jesus asks: "Do you like me?" [PHILOS]. Peter becomes sad as he answers: "You know that I like you" [PHILOS]. Alford (Greek Testament), McGarvey, et. al., think this is the correct explanation. However, The Expositor's Greek Testament, Johnson, Lipscomb, et. al., think there is no significance in using the two words. The Latin Vulgate does distinguish between them, though, using DILIGIS and AMO. But few English translations make the distinction. [Some see this as an "official reinstatement" of Peter as an apostle; that he denied three times, therefore must confess three times. But there is no proof Peter ever ceased to be an apostle, and his guilt is not greatly different from the others who also abandoned Jesus (compare John 16:32).] Take care of my Iambs. Three times Jesus repeats this [in different forms], showing he places his trust in this man [who probably had a deep sense of guilt]. Peter was never the same after these things had happened to him (see Luke 22:31-32),