John 21:15

15. Had dined But still sat at the meal. Peter was likely to be upon one side and John upon the other of Jesus, at the head. Jesus, in allusion (though the allusion is disclosed gradually) to Peter’s thrice denying him, proceeds to ask him thrice, Lovest thou me? At each profession Jesus bids him, in increasing kindness, to return to his pastoral office.

Simon, son of Jonas Jesus calls him not by his name of honour, Peter. He recurs rather to his origin as a natural man, son of Jonah. Lovest There are two Greek words alike rendered love in our translation, but which have a different force. The love of this question, αγαπας signifies the love of will, of judgment or of moral feeling, nearly our English word to prize. The other is φιλεις , which is simply affectional love, springing from the natural sensibility. In his question Jesus uses the former word; in his answer Peter uses the latter. Simon, son of Jonas, prizest thou me ?

More than these More than the rest of the disciples at the meal love me. Peter had proudly boasted over them, “Though all should be offended in thee, yet will not I.” Our Lord tests him to see whether he still professes over the others. Thou knowest He makes no vehement protestations, but appeals to the Lord’s own knowledge of his heart.

I love thee Peter uses the affectional term for love:

I love thee tenderly from the heart. Feed my lambs It is as if Peter’s first denial is now wiped out. Jesus bids him to return to the pastoral office in its humblest form.