John 21:13-23

13 Jesus came and took 1the bread and gave it to them, and the 2fish likewise.
14 This is now the 3third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

The Love Motivation

15 So when they had 4finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you 5love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend 6My 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, "7Shepherd 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 8the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, 9You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "10Tend 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, 11signifying by 12what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "13Follow Me!"
20 Peter, turning around, saw the 14disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had 15leaned 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 16until I come, what is that to you? You 17follow Me!"
23 Therefore this saying went out among 18the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, "If I want him to remain 19until I come, what is that to you?"

Cross References 19

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

Footnotes 8

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