John 21:17 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 21:17

The 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 instability and weakness of his faith, and of... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 21:17

grieved . Greek. lupeo . Elsewhere in John 16:20 . Compare 1 Peter 1:6 . The noun lupe occurs in John 16:6 , John 16:20 , John 16:21 , John 16:22 . Compare 1 Peter 2:19 . knowest. Greek ginosko. App-132 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 21:17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon son of John, 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.Grievous as this was for Peter, it wiped out all guilt of his denials; and the Saviour's total forgiveness is implicit in the threefold charge to care for the church Jesus came to establish. The external situation associated with this... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 21:16-17

John 21:16-17. He saith to him again— From our Lord's asking Peter if he loved him, before he renewed his commission to feed his lambs and his sheep, it is justly inferred, that, to render men duly qualified for the ministerial function, they must prefer the interest and honour of Christ to every other consideration. This is the great qualification by which alone a minister can be animated to go through the labours and difficulties of his office, and be fortified against the dangers which may... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 21:17

17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said the third time, c.—This was the Physician's deepest incision into the wound, while yet smarting under the two former probings. Not till now would Peter discern the object of this succession of thrusts. The third time reveals it all, bringing up such a rush of dreadful recollections before his view, of his "thrice denying that he knew Him," that he feels it to the quick. It was fitting... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 21:15-23

B. Jesus’ teachings about motivation for service 21:15-23Jesus now proceeded to use the miracle that He had just performed as the background for important instruction. John presented Jesus doing this many times in this Gospel. The repetition of this pattern in the epilogue is evidence that the epilogue was an original part of the Gospel. Jesus focused His teaching on Peter, but clearly He wanted all disciples to view Peter as their representative. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 21:16-17

Jesus proceeded to ask Peter essentially the same question two more times. Peter gave virtually the same answer each time. Peter felt grief after Jesus’ third question because Jesus asked the same question a third time, which is the reason for Peter’s grief that the text gives, not the use of His word for "love." Some commentators suggested that Peter was grieved too because this time Jesus used the word for love that Peter had used (Gr. philo). Morris noted that the original conversation... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - John 21:17

21:17 knowest (a-39) Oida , see Note at 1 Corinthians 8:1 . knowest (c-43) Objective knowledge. read more