The Passion Victory (18:1-21:25).

JOHN 21:15-19

Reading: Mat 25:34-40

Songs:

Theme: emphasizing the expectation of total commitment

Discussion

INTRODUCTION

A. On an occasion after Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to his disciples in the morning on the beach early after they had been fishing all night (Joh 21:1-3). At first they didn’t realize it was he (Joh 21:4). When they answered Jesus’ question that they had caught nothing, and followed his instructions to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, they caught an abundance of fish (Joh 21:5-6). When they realized it was Jesus Simon Peter jumped from the boat into the sea and swam ashore; they rest followed in the boats dragging with them the net of fish (Joh 21:7-8). On the shore they ate a meal which Jesus had prepared for them (Joh 21:9-14).

B. At some time near the end of the meal, perhaps after it’s conclusion, a conversation ensured between Jesus and Peter. In the conversation Jesus challenged Peter to become totally commitment in following.

I. OBEDIENT LOVE (21:15-17).

A. ... Jesus saith to Simon Peter ... lovest thou me more than these ... (21:15)?

KJV

15 ¶ So <3767> when <3753> they had dined <709> (5656), Jesus <2424> saith <3004> (5719) to Simon <4613> Peter <4074>, Simon <4613>, son of Jonas <2495>, lovest thou <25> (5719) me <3165> more than <4119> these <5130>? He saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, Yea <3483>, Lord <2962>; thou <4771> knowest <1492> (5758) that <3754> I love <5368> (5719) thee <4571>. He saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, Feed <1006> (5720) my <3450> lambs <721>.

Textus Receptus

15 ote <3753> {ADV} oun <3767> {CONJ} hristhsan <709> (5656) {V-AAI-3P} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} tw <3588> {T-DSM} simwni <4613> {N-DSM} petrw <4074> {N-DSM} o <3588> {T-NSM} ihsouv <2424> {N-NSM} simwn <4613> {N-VSM} iwna <2495> {N-GSM} agapav <25> (5719) {V-PAI-2S} me <3165> {P-1AS} pleion <4119> {A-ASN-C} toutwn <5130> {D-GPM} <5130> {D-GPN} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} nai <3483> {PRT} kurie <2962> {N-VSM} su <4771> {P-2NS} oidav <1492> (5758) {V-RAI-2S} oti <3754> {CONJ} filw <5368> (5719) {V-PAI-1S} se <4571> {P-2AS} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} boske <1006> (5720) {V-PAM-2S} ta <3588> {T-APN} arnia <721> {N-APN} mou <3450> {P-1GS}

1. Jesus asked a questioned about Peter’s love.

a. lovest thou, Strong’s - 25. agapaw AGAPAO ag-ap-ah’-o; perhaps from agan agan (much) [or compare 05689]; to love (in a social or moral sense):— (be-)love(-ed). Compare 5368.

TDNT-1:21,5; v AV-love 135, beloved 7; 142 1) of persons 1a) to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly 2) of things 2a) to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing

For Synonyms see entry 5914

5719 Tense-Present See 5774

Voice-Active See 5784

Mood - IndicativeSee 5791

Count-3014

b. Such love is self-sacrificing, self-denying, unconditional, unchanging and unending love (cf. Mat 22:39; Joh 3:16;15:13;1Co 13:4-8).

(1) Such love for the Lord always manifests itself in obedience to his commandments regardless of the situation (Joh 14:15).

(2) When we’re obedient to Christ’s commands such as having a committed love toward him, then he is able to use us to manifest himself to other people (Joh 13:35).

2. Jesus asked if he was loved deeply by Peter “.more than these.”

a. There are three probable ideas as to which “more than these” might have referred but the most probable it referred to the other disciples

b. Regardless of what was actually the reference to “more than these” in essence would have been anything Peter held more dearly than Christ; anything to which Peter would have given his allegiance to over Christ.

c. Peter’s response to the question was that he had affection for Jesus “more than these” rather then a deep, self-sacrificing, committed love (cp. ^[2]).

(1) I love, Strong’s - 5368. filew PHILEO fil-eh’-o; from 5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while 25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as 2309 and 1014, or as 2372 and 3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness):— kiss, love.

TDNT-9:114,1262; v AV-love 22, kiss 3; 25 1) to love 1a) to approve of 1b) to like 1c) sanction 1d) to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend 2) to show signs of love 2a) to kiss 3) to be fond of doing 3a) be wont, use to do

For Synonyms see entry 5914

5719 Tense-PresentSee 5774

Voice-Active See 5784

Mood - IndicativeSee 5791

Count-3014

(2) This is the type of love neighbors have for one another such as having one another over for dinner.

(3) It may have been that Peter was giving a humble answer in reference to the failures in his experiences and felt unworthy because of them to declare he had a deep love for Jesus.

(a) Peter had earlier boasted that “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. ... Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee (Mat 26:31-35; Mar 14:27-29; Luk 28:31-33; Joh 13:31).

(b) Yet, under the bitterly, difficult circumstances in the courtyard of the high priest, the night Jesus was arrested, out fear, Peter denied the Lord three times.

(d) He merely wasted to affirm having a love for Christ.

(4) No doubt Peter had always wanted to do the right thing but when it came circumstances which encouraged his giving into his weakness of the flesh, like most of us would have done, he placed his love for himself higher then his love for Christ.

(5) Peter had lacked commitment in his love.

(6) Jesus didn’t doubt Peter’s love, but asked the question in an effort to strengthen Peter’s commitment.

(7) Jesus wanted to encourage Peter and help him understand the implications of loving Christ.

3. Jesus’ response was to tell Peter to feed the lambs.

a. feed, Strong’s- 1006. boskw BOSKO bos’-ko; a prol. form of a primary verb [compare 977, 1016]; to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze:— feed, keep.

AV-feed 8, keep 1; 9 1) to feed 1a) portraying the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church

For Synonyms see entry 5824

5720 Tense-PresentSee 5774

Voice-Active See 5784

Mood - ImperativeSee 5794

Count-582

b. With “lambs” Jesus directed Peter’s attention away from himself to other disciples, probably those immature in the faith.

c. In telling Peter to care for the “lambs” Jesus was probably giving Peter a change to not only develop a deeper love for Christ but to demonstrate it.

d. We are to love those born of God, our brothers and sisters in Christ (1Jo 4:7).

e. There are many who claim to love Christ, yet, who show nothing but contempt, at least indifference toward other Christians.

f. With what type of love do you love the Lord and with what type of love do you love all the brethren?

B. He saith to him again the second time, Simon ... lovest thou me ... (21:16)?

16 He saith <3004> (5719) to him <846> again <3825> the second time <1208>, Simon <4613>, son of Jonas <2495>, lovest thou <25> (5719) me <3165>? He saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, Yea <3483>, Lord <2962>; thou <4771> knowest <1492> (5758) that <3754> I love <5368> (5719) thee <4571>. He saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, Feed <4165> (5720) my <3450> sheep <4263>.

16 legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} palin <3825> {ADV} deuteron <1208> {ADV} simwn <4613> {N-VSM} iwna <2495> {N-GSM} agapav <25> (5719) {V-PAI-2S} me <3165> {P-1AS} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} nai <3483> {PRT} kurie <2962> {N-VSM} su <4771> {P-2NS} oidav <1492> (5758) {V-RAI-2S} oti <3754> {CONJ} filw <5368> (5719) {V-PAI-1S} se <4571> {P-2AS} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} poimaine <4165> (5720) {V-PAM-2S} ta <3588> {T-APN} probata <4263> {N-APN} mou <3450> {P-1GS}

1. Jesus questioned a second time about Peter’s love but with the question left off “more than these.”

a. lovest thou, Strong’s - 25, same as above - deep love

b. Again Peter answered that he had affection for Jesus (I love, Strong’s - 5368, same as above).

2. Again Peter was told to feed but this time the sheep.

a. feed, Strong’s - 4165. poimainw POIMAINO poy-mah’-ee-no; from 4166; to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser):— feed (cattle), rule.

TDNT-6:485,901; v AV-feed 6, rule 4, feed cattle 1; 11 1) to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep 1a) to rule, govern 1a1) of rulers 1a2) to furnish pasture for food 1a3) to nourish 1a4) to cherish one’s body, to serve the body 1a5) to supply the requisites for the soul’s need

For Synonyms see entry 5824

5720 Tense-PresentSee 5774

Voice-Active See 5784

Mood - ImperativeSee 5794

Count-582

b. The “sheep” were probably the more mature disciples.

c. Therefore, from the youngest in the faith the more mature in the faith, Peter was to expound upon God’s word to them in order to communicate God’s mind to his people.

d. A visitor was being shown around a leper colony in India when a gong sounded for the midday meal. People came from all parts of the compound to the dining hall. All at once peals of laughter filled the room. Two young men, one riding on the other's back, were pretending to be a horse and a rider and were having loads of fun. As the visitor watched, he realize that the man who was acting as a horse was blind, and the friend on his back was lame. The one who could not see used the able eyes of the lame man; the one who could not walk used the able eyes of the blind man. Together they helped each other, and they found great joy in doing it. Imagine if each of us in the church could count on one another like that; each member using his or her strengths to make up for another's weakness. ^[1] [adapted]

C. He saith unto him the third time, Simon ... lovest thou me ... (21:17)?

17 He saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846> the third <5154> time, Simon <4613>, son of Jonas <2495>, lovest <5368> (5719) thou me <3165>? Peter <4074> was grieved <3076> (5681) because <3754> he said <2036> (5627) unto him <846> the third <5154> time, Lovest <5368> (5719) thou me <3165>? And <2532> he said <2036> (5627) unto him <846>, Lord <2962>, thou <4771> knowest <1492> (5758) all things <3956>; thou <4771> knowest <1097> (5719) that <3754> I love <5368> (5719) thee <4571>. Jesus <2424> saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, Feed <1006> (5720) my <3450> sheep <4263>.

17 legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} to <3588> {T-ASN} triton <5154> {A-ASN} simwn <4613> {N-VSM} iwna <2495> {N-GSM} fileiv <5368> (5719) {V-PAI-2S} me <3165> {P-1AS} eluphyh <3076> (5681) {V-API-3S} o <3588> {T-NSM} petrov <4074> {N-NSM} oti <3754> {CONJ} eipen <2036> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} to <3588> {T-ASN} triton <5154> {A-ASN} fileiv <5368> (5719) {V-PAI-2S} me <3165> {P-1AS} kai <2532> {CONJ} eipen <2036> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} kurie <2962> {N-VSM} su <4771> {P-2NS} panta <3956> {A-APN} oidav <1492> (5758) {V-RAI-2S} su <4771> {P-2NS} ginwskeiv <1097> (5719) {V-PAI-2S} oti <3754> {CONJ} filw <5368> (5719) {V-PAI-1S} se <4571> {P-2AS} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} o <3588> {T-NSM} ihsouv <2424> {N-NSM} boske <1006> (5720) {V-PAM-2S} ta <3588> {T-APN} probata <4263> {N-APN}