John 21:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:15

An under-shepherd's great necessity. Reasons based on previous experiences of Peter will at once suggest themselves as explaining why the question of Jesus was addressed to Peter rather than another disciple. But the best reason of all is that Jesus knows best whom to ask, and. when. There was need why Peter should be especially addressed; but the other listeners were not shut out. Love to Jesus was as much a necessity and a duty to the other six as to Peter. I. LOOK AT THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:15-17

The restoration of Peter. Though the Lord had already appeared to his disciple ( Luke 24:34 ; 1 Corinthians 15:5 ), he had not yet formally restored him to the place he had forfeited by his three denials. I. THE SOLEMN QUESTION OF OUR LORD TO PETER . "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" 1. The question is thrice repeated, that it may elicit a threefold confession answerable to the threefold denial of our Lord. 2. The question in its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:15-17

The pastoral office. Notice— I. THE LOVE REQUIRED . 1. In some of its leading features. 2. In its supreme importance. (a) As the test of his Christian character. The possession or non-possession of love decides at once his relationship to Christ. Without love he is none of his; with it he is Christ's disciple. (b) As the sum of his Christian being. What a man's love is, he is to Christ. Love only weighs in the Christian balance. A man may be all things, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:15-19

(2) The revelations to be made in the services dictated by love and issuing in martyrdom. The confession made by Simon Peter, and the charge given to him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:16

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas (John), lovest thou me ? Here our Lord omits, as Peter had done, the "more than these," but he again, with perhaps deeper meaning, uses the word ἀγαπᾶς . Dost thou render me even more in one sense, though less in another, of thy heart's reverence? Dost thou treat me with the confidence and esteem, submission and admiration, which are my due? Again Peter, with his heart bursting with personal affection, feels that he can and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 21:15

Lovest thou me more than these? - There is a slight ambiguity here in the original, as there is in our translation. The word these may be in the neuter gender, and refer to these things his boat, his fishing utensils, and his employments; or it may be in the masculine, and refer to the apostles. In the former sense it would mean, “Lovest thou me more than thou lovest these objects? Art thou now willing, from love to me, to forsake all these, and go and preach my gospel to the nations of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 21:16

Feed my sheep - The word here rendered “feed,” as has been remarked, is different from the word in the previous verse. It has the sense of governing, caring for, guiding, protecting - the kind of faithful vigilance which a shepherd uses to guide his flock, and to make provision against their wants and dangers. It may be implied here that the care needed for the young in the church is to instruct them, and for those in advanced years both to instruct and govern them.My sheep - This term commonly... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 21:15

John 21:15. When they had dined On the kind provision wherewith Jesus had supplied them, and, it is likely, had been edified with such discourse as Jesus had generally used when eating with them; Jesus said to Simon Peter Who, by his late denial of him, had given him great reason to call in question the sincerity of his love; Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He speaks to him by name, the more to affect him, as he did ( Luk 22:31 ) when he warned him of a great approaching trial. He... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 21:16-17

John 21:16-17. He saith unto him again the second (and even the third) time, Simon, &c., lovest thou me? Doubtless with a view to impress the importance of the question with the greater force on his mind; and perhaps, also, to remind Peter of his having thrice denied him, and thereby given him cause to question the sincerity of his love. But at these two latter times, Christ leaves out the words more than these: because Peter, in his answer, had modestly left them out. Observe,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 21:1-25

165. At the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-25)The disciples then returned to Galilee to wait for Jesus as they had been instructed (see Matthew 26:32; Matthew 28:10). Seven of them had spent an unsuccessful night fishing on Lake Galilee (the Sea of Tiberias) when Jesus appeared at the shore. He called out some directions to them, and although they did not recognize him they did as he said. As a result they caught a large number of fish (John 21:1-6).No doubt some of the disciples recalled a similar... read more

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