Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”(A)

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”(B)

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”(C)

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?”(D) He said, “Lord, you know all things;(E) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.(F) 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death(G) by which Peter would glorify God.(H) Then he said to him, “Follow me!”(I)

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Jesus Speaks with Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Peter[a] told him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus[b] told him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Then he asked him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter[c] told him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus[d] told him, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 He asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was deeply hurt that he had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So he told him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!”

Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep. 18 “Truly, I tell you[e] emphatically, when you were young, you would fasten your belt and go wherever you liked. But when you get old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten your belt and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Now he said this to show by what kind of death he would glorify God.

After saying this, Jesus[f] told him, “Keep following me.”

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Footnotes

  1. John 21:15 Lit. He
  2. John 21:15 Lit. He
  3. John 21:16 Lit. He
  4. John 21:16 Lit. He
  5. John 21:18 The Gk. pronoun you is pl.
  6. John 21:19 Lit. he