John 21:12-22

Jesus Provides

12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have 1breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took 2the bread and gave it to them, and the 3fish likewise.
14 This is now the 4third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

The Love Motivation

15 So when they had 5finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you 6love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend 7My lambs."
16 He said to him again 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, "8Shepherd 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 9the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, 10You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "11Tend My sheep.

Our Times Are in His Hand

18 "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."
19 Now this He said, 12signifying by 13what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "14Follow Me!"
20 Peter, turning around, saw the 15disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had 16leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
21 So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?"
22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain 17until I come, what is that to you? You 18follow Me!"

Cross References 18

  • 1. John 21:15
  • 2. John 21:9
  • 3. John 6:9, 11; John 21:9, 10
  • 4. John 20:19, 26
  • 5. John 21:12
  • 6. Matthew 26:33; Mark 14:29; John 13:37
  • 7. Luke 12:32
  • 8. Matthew 2:6; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; Revelation 7:17
  • 9. John 13:38
  • 10. John 16:30
  • 11. John 21:15, 16
  • 12. John 12:33; John 18:32
  • 13. 2 Peter 1:14
  • 14. Matthew 8:22; Matthew 16:24; John 21:22
  • 15. John 21:7
  • 16. John 13:25
  • 17. Matthew 16:27; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 11:26; James 5:7; Revelation 2:25
  • 18. Matthew 8:22; Matthew 16:24; John 21:19

Footnotes 8

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