John 21:15-16

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 21:15

So when they had dined ,.... The Persic version adds, Jesus turned his face to Simon Peter ; he did not interrupt them whilst they were eating; but when they had comfortably refreshed themselves, he looked at Peter, and singled him out from the rest, and directed his discourse to him; and saith unto Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas ; not John, as the Vulgate Latin, and Nonnus, and some copies read; for this answers not to the Hebrew word Jochanan, but Jonah, the same name with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 21:16

He saith unto him again the second time ,.... Willing to have the expressions of his love repeated and confirmed; Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? he leaves out the words, "more than these", though Nonnus expresses them; he saw Peter's heart, and observed the modesty of his answer, and would not urge him any more in that comparative way, only required a repetition of his sincere and hearty love to him: he saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee ; expressing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:15

Simon lovest thou me - Peter had thrice denied his Lord, and now Christ gives him an opportunity in some measure to repair his fault by a triple confession. More than these? - This was a kind of reproach to Peter: he had professed a more affectionate attachment to Christ than the rest; he had been more forward in making professions of friendship and love than any of the others; and no one (Judas excepted) had treated his Lord so basely. As he had before intimated that his attachment to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:15

Verse 15 15.When, therefore, they had dined. The Evangelist now relates in what manner Peter was restored to that rank of honor from which he had fallen. That treacherous denial, which has been formerly described, had, undoubtedly, rendered him unworthy of the apostleship; for how could he be capable of instructing others in the faith, who had basely revolted from it? He had been made an Apostle, but it was along with Judas, and from the time when he had abandoned his post, (230) he had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 21:16

Verse 16 16.Feed my sheep. Christ does not give to Peter and others the office of feeding all sorts of persons, but only his sheep or his lambs. He elsewhere describes who they are whom he reckons to belong to his flock. My sheep, says he, hear my voice, and follow me; they hear not the voice of a stranger, (John 10:5.) True, faithful teachers ought to endeavor to gather all to Christ; and as they cannot distinguish between sheep and wild beasts, they ought to try by all methods if they can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:1-25

3. The epilogue, answering to the prologue. The post-resurrection life corresponds with the pre-incarnate energy of the Logos. 1. Long and sustained controversy has prevailed on the question of the authenticity and apostolic authorship of this chapter even among those who admit the Johannine authorship of the rest of the Gospel. 2. Among those who accept to the full the authenticity, there are many critics who urge that it is not an integral portion of the Gospel, but a later... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:15

When therefore they had breakfasted, Jesus saith to Simon Peter. His full name and Christ-given appellation is in the mind of the evangelist; but he, with marked emphasis, shows that our Lord went back to his relations with Simon before the latter's first introduction to him (see John 1:42 , etc.), and recalls the attitude Christ had taken to Simon on more than one memorable occasion ( Matthew 16:17 ; Luke 22:31 ). On two of these occasions the simple humanity of the apostle was the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:15

"Lovest thou me?" To comprehend this interview and dialogue, it is necessary to look at preceding circumstances. In a conversation which took place before our Lord's betrayal, Peter had made the most ardent professions of attachment and devotion to his Master. Though all should forsake Jesus, yet would not he! He was willing even to die with him! But the events of the awful night of the Lord's apprehension and mock trial before the Jewish council, had made evident the moral weakness of... read more

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