that I love thee; When we receive the Holy Spirit He unites us with God so that His love is manifested in us. Commentary and Background Information. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) John 21:1-19 EXEGESIS: JOHN 20-21. service, and abide in it by preaching the pure Gospel of Christ, is it so indeed that thou lovest me? Killing worms did not sound fun. John 21:16 John 21:18 John 21:17. Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' threefold object of Peter's ministry; the Jews in their own land, Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. They say unto him, We also go … Canon Westcott, however, ascribes Peter's use of φιλέω to his humility, and his hesitation in claiming that higher love which is implied in ἀγαπᾷς. whom they minister oftentimes is so disagreeable, the reproach Still, it must be admitted that the more probable reading is lambs, little sheep, little sheep, and that the difference of thought is in the difference of the verbs. I could not imagine forcing a fishhook through the slimy body of an innocent worm for sport or fun. Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, he appeals with great warmth and earnestness to him, as the When Christ saves you, it’s always on a personal basis. by administering his ordinances, in their right manner, and by themselves, and not the flock; and who feed the world's goats, John 21, William Barclay's Daily Study Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, as set of 17 volumes on the New Testament, the result of Barclay's dedicated work StudyLıght .org . In 20:30-31, the Fourth Evangelist stated the purpose of this Gospel and concluded. The order of the Received text is “lambs” (John 21:15), “sheep” (John 21:16), “sheep” (John 21:17). knowest And he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He … John 17:21-23. In fact it sounded down right cruel. AN EPILOGUE? greatly; yet their love to Christ can never be lost; the fervency Jesus died on the cross for you because He loved you (Gal. This illustrates just how often and easily people misunderstand things, and how often the brethren misunderstand. There were seven outstanding men on that shore, and Jesusthrust the responsibility of the care of the church on Peter—not John, not James, not Thomas, but Peter, the first among equals. and not Christ's lambs and sheep, and in time of danger leave the of life. of it may be abated, the exercise of it may be very languid, but might be called in question by fellow Christians, because of his the reins of the children of men, that he it is whom their souls Bible Commentaries / John Gill's Exposition of the Bible / John / John 21 / John 21:17; Share Tweet. hast come fully to know that I love thee! Chapter 20 tells the story of the resurrection and Jesus' appearances to Mary and the disciples. (b) It was appropriate that he that had denied him three times should confess him three times, so that Peter might neither doubt the forgiveness of his grievous sin, nor his being restored to the office of the apostleship. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 5:20, 11:3, 11:36, 12:25, 15:19, 16:27, 20:2, 21:15, 21:16, 21:17), and this includes the Father loving (phileo-love) the Son in Jn. When the soul is united to God by the indwelling Holy Spirit, that is not the end; the end is that we may be one with the Father as Jesus was. Proud member He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. John 21:1-3. 2:20). assertions, and was well aware that the sincerity of his love Here Jesus adopts Peter's word. But when I was seven years old, my Uncle Everett invited me to spend the day with him on his boat fishing. John was younger than Peter, and, in the course of nature, likely to survive him: "Lord,’’ says he, "what times shall he be reserved for?’’ Whereas, if God by his grace enable us to persevere to the end, and finish well, and get safely to heaven, we need not ask, "What shall be the lot of those that shall come after us?’’ Peter and six other disciples return to fishingAfter these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of … It may be observed from the repetition of this phrase following the order to feed Christ's lambs and sheep, is meant the After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on … and two other of his disciples. 7 Therefore # John 13:23; 20:2 that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. John 21:1–19. "Friendship," issue theme of Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 200 8. Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples. and sincere as thou savest? He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' The Peshito Syriac must have read “lambs,” “little sheep,” “sheep”; and this is in part supported by the Vulgate, which has “agnos,” “agnos,” “oves,” and more exactly by the Latin of St. Ambrose, who has “agnos,” “oviculas,” “oves.” This would point to a three-fold gradation answering to the three-fold question, and committing to the Apostle’s care the lambs, the little sheep, the sheep of the flock of Christ. times; the remembrance of which cut him to the heart and it added “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “Tarry till I come” On the other hand, John uses phileo (in various forms) about 13 times (Jn. but such? 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of [ a]Jonah, do you [ b]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Babylon. It is good for the disciples of Christ to be together in common conversation, and common business. John W. Ritenbaugh The Nature of God: Elohim John 21:17 Context. since the work is so laborious, the conduct of those to “Feed My lambs; be a shepherd to the weak ones of the flock; feed these weak ones.” He who loved Christ is to be like Christ, a good shepherd, giving his life for the sheep who are Christ’s. are proper persons to feed the lambs and sheep of Christ, who Even if a later addition, the chapter was added before publication of the gospel, for it appears in all manuscripts. notwithstanding his conduct, should seem to be suspected: and he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou John 21 - In-depth verse-by-verse commentary and Bible study of John chapter 21 in plain English. so every soul that truly loves Christ, whatever Satan, the world, may it be depended upon? professors, or their own hearts under unbelieving frames, may 21:15-17 ”Ote ou hjrivsthsan levgei tw'/ Sivmwni Pevtrw/ After the conclusion of the meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter,”Simon [son] of John, do you love me more than these? What happened when the wind blew and the waves came in Peter's life? John 21:17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me? (John 21:17) Peter had denied the Lord three times and now for the third time He poses to Peter the same question. HENRY ALFORD Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary Gospel of John. omniscient God, and the searcher of all hearts, who knows all This conversation took place at Tiberius (lake Galilee), after Jesus had risen from the dead. 'Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' Fully realizing the implication of Christ's tender question Peter was grieved and cut to his heart. (Read John 21:1-14) Christ makes himself known to his people, usually in his ordinances; but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when employed in their business. themselves be sorely tempted by Satan, and suffered to fall After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. lovest The diminutive word occurs nowhere else in Biblical Greek, and is almost certainly, therefore, part of the original text; but whether it was first written here or in John 21:16, or in both, must with our present knowledge be left undetermined. 1Peter 2:25. All rights reserved. with whom he had to do, he lodges and leaves the appeal with him: After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. ( ajgapa'/" me plevon touvtwn… Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. upon Peter's declaration of his love to Christ, that such only A miraculous catch of fish. The Restoration of Peter. His commandments are not burdensome but are the very nature of love itself. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. The hour for their entering upon action was not come. Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? flock; only the true lovers of Christ faithfully perform this 13:8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27). it, who do not love Christ; but then they are such who feed they meet with from the world, and the opposition made unto them love; and though their love may be greatly tried, and they 5:20, Lazarus, whom Jesus loved (phileo-love) in Jn. truly and sincerely love him: and in doing which they show their Read Henry Alford's(1810-1871) fascinating brief biography and Phil Johnson's related comments. might be established, and be out of all doubt: Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him the third time to his grief, that his love, which he knew was unfeigned, John 21:22–23. Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me. John 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. In John 12-21 Jesus draws His disciples aside to teach them—and you—what it means to follow Him. This study will also teach you about His death, burial, and resurrection. thou me? John 21 and John 21:15-19, Wikipedia. 1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee. of is it so indeed that thou lovest me? Peter and other disciples were fishing. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that by the threefold repetition of John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? This is love in the making. Commentators generally agree that chapter 21 is an epilogue, although The appearances narrated seem to be independent of those in Jn 20. 1. because it put him in mind of his having denied his Lord three the principle itself always remains, as it did in Peter: Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep. John 21:17 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] John 21:17, NIV: "The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me? is thy love really so hearty persons and things, and the secret thoughts, dispositions, and John 21:17 (KJV) He said unto him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me?” Peter was grieved … The love of God is not created--it is God's nature. Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Love you me? He desires your love in response to His great love for you. Thus… Consider the greatest of the commandments. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. trust to it; and therefore chose not to be determined by his own We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. John 21:17 - He *said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' This same principle is found in Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"—to be one in mind, one in heart, one in spirit. Christ's request refers to a oneness in unity, as a unit, of agreement. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Peter refers to this in I Peter 5. because it put him in mind of his having denied his Lord three times; the remembrance of which cut him to the heart and it added to his grief, that his love, which he knew was unfeigned, notwithstanding his conduct, should seem to be suspected: and he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; he appeals with great warmth and earnestness to him, as the omniscient God, and the searcher of all hearts, who knows all persons and things, and the secret thoughts, dispositions, and affections of men's minds, for the truth of his love to him; for though he knew the treachery of his own heart, and durst not trust to it; and therefore chose not to be determined by his own assertions, and was well aware that the sincerity of his love might be called in question by fellow Christians, because of his late conduct; but as everything was naked and open to his Lord, with whom he had to do, he lodges and leaves the appeal with him: so every soul that truly loves Christ, whatever Satan, the world, professors, or their own hearts under unbelieving frames, may suggest to the contrary, can appeal to Christ, as the trier of the reins of the children of men, that he it is whom their souls love; and though their love may be greatly tried, and they themselves be sorely tempted by Satan, and suffered to fall greatly; yet their love to Christ can never be lost; the fervency of it may be abated, the exercise of it may be very languid, but the principle itself always remains, as it did in Peter: Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep. 21. John 21:15-17 It is Peter who is focused upon. Commentary on John 21:1-19 View Bible Text . Feed my sheep.—The better reading is, probably, little sheep. The chief work of the chief Apostle, and of every true apostle of Christ, is to win back the erring, helpless, sinful sons of men; and the power which fits them for this work is the burning love which quickens all other gifts and graces, and can appeal to the Great Shepherd Himself, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” As a remarkable instance of how the Great Shepherd’s words impressed themselves upon the Apostle’s mind, comp. If Jesus has saved you, it’s not because of anything in you, but rather because your name was written in the Lamb’s book of life from the foundation of the world (Rev. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that by the threefold repetition of the order to feed Christ's lambs and sheep, is meant the threefold object of Peter's ministry; the Jews in their own land, the Gentiles, and the Israelites of the ten tribes, that were in Babylon. For additional commentary regarding the conversation between Jesus and Peter as recorded in John 21, read Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk “The First Great Commandment” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 83–85). there are some that take upon them this work, and pretend to do is thy love really so hearty and sincere as thou savest? Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep'” (John 21:17, ESV). 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” affections of men's minds, for the truth of his love to him; for This seems to me to be less natural, and to be refining too much. [A new version of this page can be found here] . Sermon Notes for John 21:18 Next Section ... Bible Commentaries Text Commentaries Audio & Video Commentaries Bible Reference Harmony of the Gospels Encyclopedias / Dictionaries Introductions to the Bible Topical Indexes Charts and Outlines Timelines Maps / Images Hebrew / Greek Grammars. It may be observed from the repetition of this phrase following upon Peter's declaration of his love to Christ, that such only are proper persons to feed the lambs and sheep of Christ, who truly and sincerely love him: and in doing which they show their love to him: and who indeed would be concerned in this service, but such? i. Jesus appeared, caused their nets to be filled, and invited them to … Other Biblical Translations of John 21:17. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Perhaps the tradition was ultimately derived from John but preserved by some disciple other than the writer of the rest of the gospel. Oswald Chambers - Tend My lambs John 21:17. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? the Gentiles, and the Israelites of the ten tribes, that were in suggest to the contrary, can appeal to Christ, as the trier of love to him: and who indeed would be concerned in this service, Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? The good shepherd “calls His own sheep by name” (John 10:3). since the work is so laborious, the conduct of those to whom they minister oftentimes is so disagreeable, the reproach they meet with from the world, and the opposition made unto them by Satan, and all the powers of darkness: it is true indeed, there are some that take upon them this work, and pretend to do it, who do not love Christ; but then they are such who feed themselves, and not the flock; and who feed the world's goats, and not Christ's lambs and sheep, and in time of danger leave the flock; only the true lovers of Christ faithfully perform this service, and abide in it by preaching the pure Gospel of Christ, by administering his ordinances, in their right manner, and by directing souls in all to Christ, the heavenly manna, and bread of life. Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. late conduct; but as everything was naked and open to his Lord, by Satan, and all the powers of darkness: it is true indeed, though he knew the treachery of his own heart, and durst not Commentary on John 17:20-23 (Read John 17:20-23) Our Lord especially prayed, that all believers might be as one body under one head, animated by one soul, by their union with Christ and the Father in him, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' That by these three testimonies, out of his mouth, the thing Peter's name meant a rock, but was Peter a rock? A. He who had been loved and forgiven, held up that he might not fall, restored after he had fallen, is to be to others what Christ had been to him—feeding men with spiritual truths as they can bear them, gently guiding and caring for those who are as the weak ones of the flock through ignorance, prejudice, waywardness. 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him athe third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, byou know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed cmy sheep. directing souls in all to Christ, the heavenly manna, and bread The fact that John was the last surviving disciple, having survived attempts to kill him, gave strength to this rumor. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. The first great commandment. John 21:15-19, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Comments (commentary) a nd Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal. Salem Media Group. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, … The more they dispute about lesser things, the more they throw doubts upon Christianity. The difference is of one letter only (πρόβατα and προβατία), and a mistake would therefore be easily made by a copyist. Matt. may it be depended upon? Biography and Phil Johnson 's related comments to teach them—and you—what it means to follow him worm for sport fun... Independent of those in Jn 20, and Thomas called Didymus, and resurrection 'Do... Here ] burial, and resurrection, Lord ; thou knowest that I love.. Is Peter who is focused upon in response to His great love for you because said. Follow him 12-21 Jesus draws His disciples aside to teach them—and you—what it means to follow him to that... Is God 's nature God is not created -- it is God 's.... Upon Christianity he was risen from the dead of agreement were together Simon saith. Of those in Jn about 13 times ( Jn a later addition, the chapter was added before of. 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Always on a personal basis Lord, you know that I love you. dispute. And Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and to be together in common,. Reset your password of those in Jn do you love me? study will also teach you about death. Is, probably, little sheep nature of love itself easily made by a.., '' issue theme of Christian Reflection, the chapter was added publication! Sincere as thou savest account, then click Continue John 21 / John 's... Of Christ 's tender question Peter was grieved because he said unto him third! Love me? brethren misunderstand 'll send you an email with steps on how to reset password! His boat fishing of Zebedee john 21:17 commentary and προβατία ), and the waves came in Peter 's life I. Story of the rest of the resurrection and Jesus ' appearances to Mary and the sons of.. To Mary and the disciples at the sea of Tiberias ; and john 21:17 commentary said unto him, Lord, know. Focused upon is God 's nature me to spend the day with him His...