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John 21:17
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Jesus Restores Peter

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of1 Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I2 love You.” He said to him, a“Feed My lambs.”  
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of1 Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I2 love You.” aHe said to him, “Tend My bsheep.”  
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of1 Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, aYou know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.  
18 aMost assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”  
19 This He spoke, signifying aby what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, b“Follow Me.”  

The Beloved Disciple and His Book

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple awhom Jesus loved following, bwho also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”  
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< John 21:16   John 21:18 >>


John 21:17

The third time - It is probable that Jesus proposed this question three times because Peter had thrice denied him. Thus he tenderly admonished him of his fault and reminded him of his sin, while he solemnly charged him to be faithful and vigilant in the discharge of the duties of the pastoral office. The reason why the Saviour addressed Peter in this manner was doubtless because he had just denied him - had given a most melancholy instance of the instability and weakness of his faith, and of his liability to fall. As he had thus been prominent in forsaking him, he took this occasion to give to him a special charge, and to secure his future obedience. Hence, he so administered the charge as to remind him of his fault; and he made him so prominent as to show the solicitude of the Saviour that, henceforward, he might not be left to dishonor his high calling. This same charge, in substance, he had on other occasions given to the apostles Matthew 18:18, and there is not the slightest evidence here that Christ intended, as the Papists pretend, to give Peter any special primacy or eminence in the church. The charge to Peter arose, manifestly, from his prominent and melancholy act in denying him, and was the kind and tender means used by a faithful Saviour to keep him from similar acts in the future dangers and trials of life. It is worthy of remark that the admonition was effectual. Henceforward, Peter was one of the most firm and unwavering of all the apostles, and thus fully justified the appellation of a rock, which the Saviour by anticipation had given him. See the notes at John 1:42.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing John 21:17:

Psalms 119:159
Matthew 16:13-20
Matthew 24:45-51
Acts 20:28
1 Corinthians 9:7
2 Corinthians 12:8
Ephesians 4:30

 

<< John 21:16   John 21:18 >>

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