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Do you love me? John 21:15-19

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than John, do you love me more than these?” these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your you are old, you will stretch out your

hands, and another will dress you hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want and carry you where you do not want to go.” to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was going to glorify God.) death he was going to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” [ESV] “Follow me.” [ESV]

A popular interpretation Many find significance in the different words for ‘love’ Many find significance in the different words for ‘love’ – Jesus twice used the verb agapaō – Each time Peter answered using fileō – The third time Jesus used the verb fileō – Peter was grieved but answered using fileō

A popular interpretation This interpretation distinguishes between greater and lesser types of love This interpretation distinguishes between greater and lesser types of love – Jesus first asked Peter whether he loved him with the greater love (using agapaō ) – Peter responded that he loved him with the lesser kind of love (using fileō )

A popular interpretation This interpretation distinguishes between greater and lesser types of love This interpretation distinguishes between greater and lesser types of love – Jesus then changed the question and used the verb fileō and Peter was grieved by this change

A popular interpretation This interpretation has found its way into several English translations (e.g. J. B. Phillips New Testament; Amplified Bible; NIV) This interpretation has found its way into several English translations (e.g. J. B. Phillips New Testament; Amplified Bible; NIV) Yet there are good reasons for rejecting it Yet there are good reasons for rejecting it

Are these technical terms? Many assume that Greek is more ‘precise’ than English Many assume that Greek is more ‘precise’ than English – e.g. Some claim, “Greek has four words for love, while English has only one” – agapē (God’s love); filia (friendship); storgē (affection); erōs (passion) – But consider: we have words to translate each of these terms!

Are these technical terms? How does John actually use these terms? How does John actually use these terms? John 3:35 The Father loves ( agapaō ) the Son John 5:20 The Father loves ( fileō ) the Son John 16:27 The Father himself loves ( fileō ) you because you have loved ( fileō ) me and believed…

Are these technical terms? How does John actually use these terms? How does John actually use these terms? John 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved (uses agapaō) John 19:26 The disciple whom Jesus loved (uses agapaō) John 20:2 the other disciple, the one Jesus loved (uses fileō) John 21:7, 20 The disciple whom Jesus loved (agapaō)

Are these technical terms? How does John actually use these terms? How does John actually use these terms? John 11:5 Jesus loved ( agapaō ) Martha, and her sister and Lazarus John 11:36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved ( fileō ) him [Lazarus]

Are these technical terms? How does John actually use these terms? How does John actually use these terms? – It appears John frequently uses them interchangeably – John commonly uses synonyms Consider our passage Consider our passage Feed my lambs/Tend my sheep/Feed my sheep Feed my lambs/Tend my sheep/Feed my sheep He uses two different words for ‘know’ (v17) He uses two different words for ‘know’ (v17)

Why does this matter? If we assume a significant difference in the words for love, the focus is on Peter’s continued failure If we assume a significant difference in the words for love, the focus is on Peter’s continued failure – Once again he doesn’t measure up – Jesus asked for the highest commitment and Peter gave him something less

Why does this matter? But if we recognize these as synonyms, the emphasis changes But if we recognize these as synonyms, the emphasis changes – Jesus is intentionally and publically restoring Peter – Jesus asks three times to ‘undo’ the triple denial (chapter 18)

Why does this matter? But if we recognize these as synonyms, the emphasis changes But if we recognize these as synonyms, the emphasis changes – This passage is the recommissioning of Peter Jesus commissions Peter to feed/tend his flock (my lambs/sheep) Jesus commissions Peter to feed/tend his flock (my lambs/sheep) This is a ‘position’ of great responsibility This is a ‘position’ of great responsibility

What may we learn from this? Despite terrible failure, we can be forgiven and restored Despite terrible failure, we can be forgiven and restored – Follow Jesus Despite terrible failure, we can be part of God’s kingdom building Despite terrible failure, we can be part of God’s kingdom building – Follow Jesus