John 21:15-17

Jesus' Threefold Restoration of Peter

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, ^[a] do you love ^[b], the first 2 times by Jesus (vv. 15-16 ); and phileo , the last time by Jesus (v. 17 ) and all 3 times by Peter (vv. 15-17 ). Peter's threefold confession of love for Jesus corresponds to his earlier threefold denial of Jesus; Jn 18:15-18 , 25-27 . Me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said to Him, "You know that I love You." "Feed My lambs," He told him.

16 A second time He asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" "Yes, Lord," he said to Him, "You know that I love You." "Shepherd My sheep," He told him.

17 He asked him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, "Do you love Me?" He said, "Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You." "Feed My sheep," Jesus said.

Footnotes

• [a] Other mss read Simon, son of Jonah; Jn 1:42; Mt 16:17
• [b] Two synonyms are translated love in this conversation: agapao