New Living Translation
John 21:17
17A 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.
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 breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 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. 18“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told 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 13:38Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.
- John 18:27Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.
- Matthew 26:73A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
- Revelation 3:19I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
- 1 Kings 17:18Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?”
- Lamentations 3:33For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.
- Matthew 26:75Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
- Mark 14:72And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.
- Luke 22:61At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
- 2 Corinthians 2:4I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
- 2 Corinthians 7:8I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.
- Ephesians 4:30And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
- 1 Peter 1:6So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
- John 2:24But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people.
- John 16:30Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
- John 18:4Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
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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