JOHN—NOTE ON John 21:15 On Simon, son of John, see John 1:42. Peter has denied Jesus three times (John 18:15, John 18:25). Now Jesus asks Peter three times to reaffirm his love for him, and then he recommissions him. Jesus’ question, “do you love me more than these?” probably means, “Do you love me more than these other disciples do?” In these three questions and answers, Peter uses the same verb for “love” all three times (Greek phileō) but Jesus uses a different verb for “love” in the first two questions (Greek agapaō) and then switches to Peter’s word phileō in the third question. The two words are often used interchangeably. Peter is grieved because Jesus kept asking him if he loved him. You know everything is an affirmation of Christ’s deity. Feed my lambs. Jesus, as the true shepherd, appoints Peter and the other apostles to assist him by caring for his people (see 1 Peter 5:1).

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