John 21:15-17

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 21:17

And now Peter seems to have conquered, by his persistence, the heart of his Lord, and Jesus adopts the very phrase which Peter twice over had substituted for that which he had himself used; for he saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas (John), lovest thou me ? ( φιλεῖς με ;); as if he had said, "Dost thou indeed love me dearly, love me as a friend, love me with the earnestness and fervor that twice over has corrected my word into one more congenial to thee, and more ample... 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

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