15When, therefore, they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him: 'Yes, Lord — you know that I am deeply fond of you.' He said to him: 'Feed my lambs.' [21:16] He said to him again, a second time: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him: 'Yes, Lord — you know that I am deeply fond of you.' He said to him: 'Shepherd my sheep.' [21:17] He said to him a third time: 'Simon, son of John, are you deeply fond of me?' Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time: 'Are you deeply fond of me?' And he said to him: 'Lord, you know everything — you know that I am deeply fond of you.' Jesus said to him: 'Feed my sheep. [21:18] Truly, truly, I say to you — when you were younger, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' [21:19] He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And having said this, he said to him: 'Follow me.'
JHN 21:15-19
Jesus and Peter
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, shepherding was a common metaphor for leadership, particularly in Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. Jewish leaders were often described as shepherds of God’s people, echoing Old Testament imagery (e.g., Ezekiel 34). Greco-Roman leaders, too, were seen as caretakers of their communities. Jesus’ use of (lambs) and (sheep) would have evoked this pastoral imagery, emphasizing care for the vulnerable and responsibility for the community. The dialogue’s repetition of and highlights distinct dimensions of love: suggests a deliberate, covenantal love, while conveys personal affection. Peter’s grief at the third question reflects the honor-shame dynamics of the time, where repeated questioning could imply doubt or reproach. Jesus’ commissioning of Peter to ‘feed’ and ‘shepherd’ aligns with the role of a spiritual leader, tasked with nurturing and guiding the community. This exchange would have resonated deeply with early Christian audiences, who saw themselves as a flock under Christ’s care.
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How other translations render this
JHN 21:15
- KJV
- So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
- BSB
- When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
- Koinōnos
- When, therefore, they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him: 'Yes, Lord — you know that I am deeply fond of you.' He said to him: 'Feed my lambs.
JHN 21:16
- KJV
- He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
- BSB
- Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
- Koinōnos
- He said to him again, a second time: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him: 'Yes, Lord — you know that I am deeply fond of you.' He said to him: 'Shepherd my sheep.
JHN 21:17
- 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.
- BSB
- Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
- Koinōnos
- He said to him a third time: 'Simon, son of John, are you deeply fond of me?' Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time: 'Are you deeply fond of me?' And he said to him: 'Lord, you know everything — you know that I am deeply fond of you.' Jesus said to him: 'Feed my sheep.
JHN 21:18
- KJV
- Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
- BSB
- Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked 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.”
- Koinōnos
- Truly, truly, I say to you — when you were younger, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.
JHN 21:19
- KJV
- This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
- BSB
- Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”
- Koinōnos
- He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And having said this, he said to him: 'Follow me.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JHN 21:15
- love you:The word translated 'love' here refers to a deep, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love, often associated with divine love or a chosen, principled affection.
- I dearly love:The term used here for 'dearly love' describes a warm, affectionate, and friendly love, often based on shared experience or personal fondness.
- lambs:The word translated 'lambs' is a diminutive form, emphasizing the smallness and vulnerability of the sheep, suggesting a need for tender care.
JHN 21:16
- do shepherd:The word translated 'do shepherd' encompasses not just feeding, but also guiding, protecting, and caring for the flock, much like a shepherd cares for sheep.