John 21:17

John 21:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
• New International Version (NIV)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 said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
• English Standard Version (ESV)He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, 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, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of 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, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Context of John 21:17

15After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the other disciples do?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.” 16Jesus asked him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.” Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep. 18I can guarantee this truth: When you were young, you would get ready to go where you wanted. But when you’re old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will get you ready to take you where you don’t want to go.” 19Jesus said this to show by what kind of death Peter would bring glory to God. After saying this, Jesus told Peter, “Follow me!”

John 21:17 word by word

λέγει αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον· Σίμων Ἰωάννου, φιλεῖς με; ἐλυπήθη ὁ Πέτρος ὅτι εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον· φιλεῖς με; καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· κύριε, πάντα σὺ οἶδας, σὺ γινώσκεις ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• He saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• unto himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• the third timeτρίτοςtritos · thirdG5154
• SimonΣίμωνSimōn · SimonG4613
• of JonasἸωνᾶςIōnas · JohnG2495
• lovest thouφιλέωphileō · to loveG5368
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• PeterΠέτροςPetros · PeterG4074
• was grievedλυπέωlupeō · to grieveG3076
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• thouσύsu · youG4771
• knowestεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• knowestγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• Feedβόσκωboskō · to feedG1006
• sheepπρόβατονprobaton · sheepG4263

Cross-references for John 21:17

• John 13:38Jesus replied, “Will you give your life for me? I can guarantee this truth: No rooster will crow until you say three times that you don’t know me.
• John 18:27Peter again denied it, and just then a rooster crowed.
• Matthew 26:73After a little while the men standing there approached Peter and said, “It’s obvious you’re also one of them. Your accent gives you away!”
• Revelation 3:19I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act.
• 1 Kings 17:18The woman asked Elijah, “What do you and I have in common, man of God? Did you come here to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”
• Lamentations 3:33He does not willingly bring suffering or grief to anyone,
• Matthew 26:75Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.
• Mark 14:72Just then a rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered that Jesus said to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Then Peter began to cry very hard.
• Luke 22:61Then the Lord turned and looked directly at Peter. Peter remembered what the Lord had said: “Before a rooster crows today, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”
• 2 Corinthians 2:4I was deeply troubled and anguished. In fact, I had tears in my eyes when I wrote to you. I didn’t write to make you uncomfortable but to let you know how much I love you.
• 2 Corinthians 7:8If my letter made you uncomfortable, I’m not sorry. But since my letter did make you uncomfortable for a while, I was sorry.
• Ephesians 4:30Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free ⌞from the world of sin⌟.
• 1 Peter 1:6You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now.
• John 2:24Jesus, however, was wary of these believers. He understood people
• John 16:30Now we know that you know everything. You don’t need to wait for questions to be asked. Because of this, we believe that you have come from God.”
• John 18:4Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went to meet them and asked, “Who are you looking for?”

Commentaries on John 21:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Peter was grieved - Fearing, says St. Chrysostom, lest Christ saw something in his heart which he saw not himself, and which might lead to another fall; and that Christ was about to tell him of it, as he had before predicted his denial.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17The 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-19Verses 15-19 Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeited that of Peter through his denying him. He now answered, Thou knowest that I love thee; but without professing to love Jesus more than others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called into question, when we ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned sins, renews the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Feed my sheep: Jesus, who knows everything, understood that despite Peter’s terrible failure, he still had faith and commitment to Jesus (1:42; 2:25; 16:30). These words called Peter to care for and protect Christ’s followers.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1715-17. when they had dined, Jesus saith--Silence appears to have reigned during the meal; unbroken on His part, that by their mute observation of Him they might have their assurance of His identity the more confirmed; and on theirs, from reverential shrinking to speak till He did. Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?--referring lovingly to those sad words of Peter, shortly before denying his Lord, "Though all men shall be offended because…Read the comment

Topics related to John 21:17

• Apostles
• Discipleship
• Faith
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Jonas
• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Peter

In the dictionaries

• Jesus
• Peter
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Peter, Simon Peter, Cephas
• Dare
• Galilee, Sea of
• Jonas
• Love
• Andrew
• Bar-Jonah

Commentaries on John 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings