When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Near the end of John’s Gospel, the risen Jesus speaks directly to Simon Peter and restores him after his three denials during the Passion. This is a personal moment, but it also concerns the whole Church. Peter had denied Jesus three times during the Passion (Jn. 18:17, 25-27). Now Jesus gives Peter three opportunities to confess his love.
Jesus begins, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (v. 15). “More than these” most likely means more than the other disciples love Him. Peter had once spoken with great confidence, saying that even if others fell away, he would remain faithful (Mt. 26:33). Now Peter answers more humbly: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (v. 15). He places his heart before the Lord, who knows him completely.
Jesus responds, “Feed my lambs” (v. 15). Peter’s love for Jesus must now be shown in his care for Christ’s people. Love for Jesus is expressed in obedience, service, and responsibility. In John’s Gospel, Jesus had already said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Here the command given to Peter is clear: he must feed and shepherd the flock that belongs to Christ.
Jesus asks a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (v. 16). Peter again answers, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (v. 16). Jesus replies, “Tend my sheep” (v. 16). The sheep remain Christ’s sheep. Peter is given a real pastoral mission, but he receives it from the risen Lord. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His own, gathers His sheep, and lays down His life for them (Jn. 10:11, 14-16). Peter is now drawn into that shepherding care.
When Jesus asks the third time, Peter is distressed (v. 17). The repeated question reaches the wound of his earlier denial. Peter does not defend himself. He says, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you” (v. 17). His words show trust in the Lord’s knowledge and mercy. Jesus knows Peter’s failure, but He also knows Peter’s love.
Jesus then says, “Feed my sheep” (v. 17). Peter’s restoration is joined to his mission. He is forgiven and entrusted with responsibility. The Church has always seen in this passage a special role given to Peter among the apostles. Christ, the chief Shepherd, entrusts Peter with the care of His flock. This shepherding role is echoed in the New Testament’s language about Church leaders caring for God’s people (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-4).
This passage also shows that love for Christ must take visible form. Peter’s love is not left as a private feeling. It becomes care for the lambs and sheep of Jesus. For every disciple, love for Christ must become fidelity, repentance, service, and concern for those whom Christ loves.
Jesus then speaks of Peter’s future. “When you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (v. 18). John explains that Jesus said this to show “by what kind of death he would glorify God” (v. 19). Peter will one day follow Jesus through suffering and death. Tradition associates this with Peter’s martyrdom by crucifixion in Rome.
The final command is simple and complete: “Follow me” (v. 19). Peter’s mission begins again with the same essential call that belongs to every disciple. He is to love Christ, shepherd Christ’s people, and follow Christ to the end.
For us, this passage gives hope. Jesus does not discard Peter after his denial. He restores him, purifies his love, and gives him a mission. The risen Lord still calls wounded disciples to return to Him, confess their love, serve His people, and follow Him faithfully.
Lord Jesus, You know our weakness and our love. Restore us when we fall, strengthen us in repentance, and teach us to love You through faithful service to those entrusted to our care. Help us to follow You with humility and courage. Amen.
––––––––––––––––––––––
Sources and References
- The New American Bible, Revised Edition. Washington, DC: Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 2011. John 21:15-19 and notes.
- Hahn, Scott, and Curtis Mitch. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2010, 201.
- José María Casciaro, gen. ed. The Navarre Bible: New Testament, Expanded Edition. Dublin: Four Courts Press; New York: Scepter Publishers, 2008, 445.
- Brown, Raymond E., Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, eds. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990, 985.
- Aguilar Chiu, José Enrique, et al., eds. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. New York: Paulist Press, 2018, 1182-83.
- Collins, John J., Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid, O.P., and Donald Senior, C.P., eds. The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. Third Fully Revised Edition. London: Bloomsbury, 2022, 1441-42.
Comments