John 21:15-19 - Do you love me?

21:15

We now get the famous encounter with Peter. Jesus calls him by his old name, Simon. The word used for love in the first two questions is different from the final question, agape and philo. Sometimes great play is made of this, but in John’s gospel the two words are used almost interchangeably, so it is doubtful if this is a significant point.

“Do you love me more than these?” It is not clear what “these” refers to. The two most likely options are (i) did he love Jesus more than the other disciples did; and (ii) did he love Jesus more than his devotion to fishing. Earlier Peter had made bold claims about his devotion to Jesus, this had then be followed by his denial of Jesus. So Jesus could be bringing this matter to the fore. If it is the latter, then Jesus would be asking him if he was prepared to follow Him completely. The former is probably the more likely.

Peter replies that he does love Jesus, and Jesus instructs him to feed His lambs.

21:16,17

Jesus asks him a second and a third time. Perhaps the threefold asking is meant to parallel the threefold denial that Peter had made earlier. Maybe Jesus is saying that the denial has been dealt with. Peter was hurt and says that Jesus knows all things. All of us can identify with Peter. There is a genuine commitment to Jesus in our hearts, but there is also a genuine double mindedness as well, a failing within us. Jesus does know the truth of what is in our hearts, and He is the One who can deal with deep failings within.

21:18,19

Jesus now tells Peter some things that will happen the future. Early records tell of Peter being martyred, but without giving the details. This verse, as 21:19 makes clear, tell Peter how he will die. In fact he will die a very similar death to that of Jesus. More importantly, his earlier declarations of being willing to die for Jesus will come true. Peter’s death would “glorify God”. Jesus then repeated His command from three years ago when He first called Peter, “Follow me!”. Now Peter knew exactly what he was letting himself in for.