Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 21:15-19

We have here Christ's discourse with Peter after dinner, so much of it as relates to himself, in which, I. He examines his love to him, and gives him a charge concerning his flock, John 21:15-17. Observe, 1. When Christ entered into this discourse with Peter.?It was after they had dined: they had all eaten, and were filled, and, it is probable, were entertained with such edifying discourse as our Lord Jesus used to make his table-talk. Christ foresaw that what he had to say to Peter would give... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 21:15-19

21:15-19 When they had breakfasted, Jesus said to Simon Peter: "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these?" He said to him: "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him: "Be a shepherd to my lambs." Again he said to him a second time: "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" He said to him: "Yes, Lord. You know that I love you." He said to him: "Be a shepherd to my sheep." He said to him the third time: "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" Peter was vexed when he said to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 21:17

He saith unto him the third time ,.... That by these three testimonies, out of his mouth, the thing might be established, and be out of all doubt: Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? is it so indeed that thou lovest me? is thy love really so hearty and sincere as thou savest? may it be depended upon? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me ? because it put him in mind of his having denied his Lord three times; the remembrance of which cut him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 21:18

Verily, verily, I say unto thee ,.... A way of speaking often used by Christ, when about to deliver anything of considerable moment, partly to raise the attention, and partly for the more strong asseveration of what is spoken; and may have reference both to what went before, confirming Peter's declaration of his love, which would be demonstrated by dying for him, and the testimony of his omniscience, by foretelling his death, and the kind of it; and to what follows after, which contains an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 21:19

This spake he ,.... These are the words of the evangelist, explaining the meaning of Christ in like manner, as in John 12:33 signifying by what death he should glorify God ; for by the above words Christ not only intimated that Peter should die, not a natural, but a violent death, or that he should die a martyr in his cause, but the very kind of death he should die, namely, by crucifixion; and that Peter was crucified at Rome, ecclesiastical history confirms F6 Euseb. Eccl. Hist.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:17

Peter 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 more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:18

Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands - Wetstein observes that it was a custom at Rome to put the necks of those who were to be crucified into a yoke, and to stretch out their hands and fasten them to the end of it; and having thus led them through the city they were carried out to be crucified. See his note on this place. Thus then Peter was girded, chained, and carried whither he would not - not that he was unwilling to die for Christ; but he was a man - he did not love death; but he loved... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:19

Should glorify God - Ancient writers state that, about thirty-four years after this, Peter was crucified; and that he deemed it so glorious a thing to die for Christ that he begged to be crucified with his head downwards, not considering himself worthy to die in the same posture in which his Lord did. So Eusebius, Prudentius, Chrysostom, and Augustin. See Calmet. Follow me - Whether our Lord meant by these words that Peter was to walk with him a little way for a private interview, or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:17

Verse 17 17.Peter was grieved. Peter undoubtedly did not perceive the object which Christ had in view, in putting the same question so frequently; and therefore he thinks that he is-in-directly accused, as if he had not answered with sincerity. But we have already showed that the repetition was not superfluous. Besides, Peter was not yet sufficiently aware how deeply the love of Christ must be engraven on the hearts of those who have to struggle against innumerable difficulties. He afterwards... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:18

Verse 18 18.Verily, verily, I tell thee. After having exhorted Peter to feed his sheep, Christ likewise arms him to maintain the warfare which was approaching. Thus he demands from him not only faithfulness and diligence, but invincible courage in the midst of dangers, and firmness in bearing the cross. In short, he bids him be prepared for enduring death whenever it shall be necessary. Now, though the condition of all pastors is not alike, still this admonition applies to all in some degree.... read more

Group of Brands