New International Version
John 21:17
17The 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
Context of John 21:17
15When 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.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16Again 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.” 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. 18Very 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.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Read all of John 21John 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 13:38Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
- John 18:27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
- Matthew 26:73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
- Revelation 3:19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
- 1 Kings 17:18She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”
- Lamentations 3:33For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
- Matthew 26:75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
- Mark 14:72Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
- Luke 22:61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
- 2 Corinthians 2:4For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
- 2 Corinthians 7:8Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—
- Ephesians 4:30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
- 1 Peter 1:6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
- John 2:24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
- John 16:30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
- John 18:4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
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
In the dictionaries
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
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