Episode 140 "Do you love me more than these?" - John 21:15-17
John 21:15 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 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 grieved because he said to him the 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.”
The time had come for Jesus and Peter to have a heart-to-heart talk. In verse twenty, it appears that Jesus and Peter had gone for a walk alone. Yet, the disciple whom Jesus loved was following some distance behind.
If you recall, it was Jesus who gave Simon the name Peter. (John 1:42) So, it’s interesting that he now addresses him, three times, as “Simon, son of John.” It seems to me that this makes sense in keeping with Jesus’ purpose for this conversation with Simon Peter. Jesus understood his shame and the emotional turmoil Peter seems to be experiencing. I believe Jesus is meeting Peter where he’s at emotionally and spiritually. In that turmoil, Peter had made a choice to go fishing; back to his roots. It was something that defined him up to the point where Jesus called him. So, by addressing him as Simon, Jesus is speaking to him as the fisherman he had called to follow him.
Each time Jesus addressed him as Simon, he questions Peter’s love for him. It’s not that Jesus doesn’t know the answer to the question. Jesus is using this opportunity to restore Peter into this relationship and teach him what Jesus wants him to do. The first time he asked, “Do you love me more than these?” This evokes the question, “Who or what are these?” For as long as I can remember, I’ve assumed that he meant “Do you love me more than these other disciples love me?” Throughout the past few years of following Jesus, Peter seemed to assert that he did love Jesus more than the other disciples loved him. He expressed that he was more faithful to Jesus and would die for him. (See Matthew 26:33) Yet, when standing outside at Jesus’ trial, he denied three times that he even knew Jesus. Given his actions in contrast to his words, it’s entirely possible this is the intended meaning. However, it could also mean, “Simon, do you love me more than you love your friends and fishing? Do you love me more than the life in which you are so comfortable?” Perhaps John wants to leave us wondering. Maybe the ambiguity is there for a purpose.
However it is to be understood, Jesus explained to Simon that if he loves Jesus, Jesus is giving him responsibility and a purpose higher than that of fishing. Furthermore, as we’ll see in the next episode, there will be a cost to him in being completely devoted to that mission.
There is an interesting tidbit of information in the Greek text of this story that the first two times Jesus asks Simon this question, he used the word “agapao” for love. Some have suggested that word is the deeper, committed kind of love. Yet, when Peter responded to Jesus he says, “Yes. I love you” the word translated love is “phileo”. It is often described as meaning “brotherly love.” In other words, it might appear that Simon cannot bring himself to use the so-called stronger word “agapao” in responding to Jesus. Then, the third time Jesus asks Simon “Do you love me?” the word “phileo” is used by Jesus as though he is telling Simon, “OK. I’ll use the same word” you are using. A number of scholars have argued this is primarily a stylistic variation and that the words are not all that different. However, since John so often has a purpose in the little details he provides throughout this book, I think there could be something to this little game of words. It seems clear from the context here that Jesus understands where Simon is at. In fact, in Simon’s last answer to Jesus’ three questions, he doesn’t just say, “Yes Lord. I love you.” He says, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” (v. 17) Did you see that? Peter says, “Lord, you know everything.” Peter is confessing that Jesus understands Peter’s love better than Peter himself does.” The repetition of the question “Do you love me” and Jesus accommodating Peter’s own shame or insecurity breaks Peter and that is what needed to happen. Peter’s pride was evident and Jesus needed to address it.
Each time Peter affirmed that he loved Jesus, Jesus responded with “Feed (or tend) my sheep.” I don’t think Jesus was concerned about whether Peter was the bravest among the disciples. Jesus' point is that his priority for Peter is to serve and nurture those who would also follow Jesus leading them in a life of obedience to the Lord.
Humility and obedience to serve others are critical to the mission to which God has called us. Trust that Jesus knows everything and pray that he will guide and sustain us as we feed his sheep.