Juan 21:16

16 Le vuelve a decir la segunda vez: Simón, hijo de Jonás, ¿me amas? Le responde: Sí, Señor; tú sabes que te amo. Le dice: Apacienta mis ovejas.

Juan 21:16 Meaning and Commentary

John 21:16

He saith unto him again the second time
Willing to have the expressions of his love repeated and confirmed;

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
he leaves out the words, "more than these", though Nonnus expresses them; he saw Peter's heart, and observed the modesty of his answer, and would not urge him any more in that comparative way, only required a repetition of his sincere and hearty love to him:

he saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee;
expressing himself in the same language as before; and it is, as if he should say, Lord, what can I say more? I can say no more than I have done, and by that I abide:

he saith unto him, feed my sheep;
both the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and his other sheep among the Gentiles, whom the Father had given him, and he had paid a price for, and must be brought in; these being called, he would have fed with the word and ordinances, with the bread of life, and water of life, not lorded over, and fleeced, and much less worried and destroyed; every instance of care and love shown to these, he takes as a mark of affection and respect to himself.

Juan 21:16 In-Context

14 Esta era ya la tercera vez que Jesús se manifestó a sus discípulos, habiendo resucitado de los muertos.

15 Y cuando hubieron comido, Jesús dijo a Simón Pedro: Simón, hijo de Jonás, ¿me amas más que éstos? Le dice: Sí Señor; tú sabes que te amo. Le dice: Apacienta mis corderos.

16 Le vuelve a decir la segunda vez: Simón, hijo de Jonás, ¿me amas? Le responde: Sí, Señor; tú sabes que te amo. Le dice: Apacienta mis ovejas.

17 Le dice la tercera vez: Simón, hijo de Jonás, ¿me amas? Se entristeció Pedro de que le dijese la tercera vez: ¿Me amas? Y le dice: Señor, tú sabes todas las cosas; tú sabes que te amo. Le dice Jesús: Apacienta mis ovejas.

18 De cierto, de cierto te digo: Cuando eras más joven, te ceñías, e ibas donde querías; mas cuando ya fueres viejo, extenderás tus manos, y te ceñirá otro, y te pasará donde no querrías.