Continuing Simon Peter's fall and restoration: Jn 21:15-19

We continue our look at Jesus' prediction of Simon Peter's denials and then Jesus' restoration of Simon Peter after our Lord's Resurrection.

The initial overview of both passages can be found HERE.  

And the in-depth look at Lk 22:31-34 can be found HERE.  


You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

John 21:15-19 (NASB)
¹⁵ So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My 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, "Shepherd 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 the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.
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, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, "Follow Me!"

(and although we won't look at them in-depth I think the following verses are also important!)

John 21:20-22 (NASB)
²⁰ Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned 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 until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!"

(Peter, as always, remains somewhat impetuous!  But Jesus emphatically directs Simon Peter (and us) to put our focus on Jesus and to follow Him!)

 

Grammatical and other Considerations

• Tend Lambs, Shepherd Sheep and Tend Sheep!  (The NKJV uses:  Feed Lambs, Tend Sheep, Feed Sheep)  There seems to be some significance to Jesus' word choice here! 
• Peter is obviously grieved by this embarrassing and convicting moment.  (wouldn't any of us be!??) 
• Peter is almost pleading when he states:  "You know all things; You know that I love You."
• It is amazing that Jesus knows how to best confront each of us with our sins so as to truly convict us AND turn us back again!
• Once again Jesus foretells the future for Simon Peter.  (this time Simon's type of death)
• John 22:19 "Follow Me!"  A command!

My Questions

• Why does Jesus use the words lamb, sheep, tend and shepherd in the way that he does??

Verse Cross References

• John 21:15 -- Gal 5:16 2Co 5:15  Eph 6:24 1Jn 5:1 1John 4:19  Eze 34:2-10 Eze 34:23 Ac 20:28 1Ti 4:16 Heb 13:20 1Pe 2:25 Isa 40:11 Mt 18:10 Rom 15:1 
• It seems that Eze 34:2-10 is particularly relevant!  Jesus is the NEW shepherd in charge of God's flock!  (Israel, and now including all of us)  The people who were shepherding the flock were careless and that duty has been taken away from them.  It is now Jesus' charge and He gives Simon Peter the task of tending to the flock on earth.  And the image of sheep and lambs (particulary lambs) does give us the image of something weak and needing guidance.  Simon Peter was told he would made to strengthen his brothers in Luke 22:32 and now that is exactly what Jesus is charging Simon Peter to do!  It is interesting that Jesus and Simon Peter use different words translated into our word love.  Until the last exchange!  We will examine this a little later.
• John 21:16 -- Rev 12:11 Lk 10:27 Mt 7:15 Jn 10:11-16  Mt 2:6 Rev 7:17 Jn 10:26-27 Ps 95:7-8 Ps 100:3 Lk 15:3-7 Lk 19:10 1Pe 2:25 
• Thoughts -- It is interesting that Jesus is also referred to as the lamb of God!  The innocent sacrifice for our atonement!!  (always humbling and overwhelming when I think about it!)  Jesus is both shepherd and the lamb!
• John 21:17 -- Lk 22:61 Jer 17:10 Ac 1:24 Ac 15:8 Job 31:4-6 Ps 7:8 Ps 17:3 1Jn 3:16-24 
• Thoughts -- Again it is interesting to note that Simon denied Jesus three times in the courtyard and Jesus asked Simon THREE times if he, Simon, loved Jesus!
• John 21:18 -- John 13:36 Ac 12:3 
• John 21:19 -- 2Pe 1:14 Jn 8:12 Jn 10:27 Mt 16:24  Jn 21:22 1Pe 4:11-14 Jn 12:26 Mt 10:38 Mt 19:28 Mk 8:33-38 Lk 9:22-26 
• Thoughts -- This verse must always be looked at in conjunction with Jn 21:20-22 Our job, desire and focus are to follow Jesus, where He leads us!  Period!  Jesus makes much mention of just how imperative it is that we hear Him, believe on and in Him and follow Him! 

Important terms

tend:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- 1Sa 17:15 Isa 40:11 Jer 23:4 Mt 8:30 Mt 8:33 Mk 5:11 Mk 5:14 Lk 5:15 
• Thoughts -- Always used in the context of sheep (seems to indicate feeding)
• Definition -- to feed sheep or to tend (watch them) while they graze.  Metaphorically means to instruct

lamb:

• Thoughts -- often used to signify Christ as the pure and unblemished sacrifice for OUR sins.  However in this occasion it is in reference to a young sheep, metaphorically referring to young (new) converts to Christianity!
• Definition -- Lamb. Young or baby sheep. This is the only occasion in the New Testament where it is used in the plural. (as a symbolic reference to young converts)

shepherd:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ac 20:28 1Pe 5:2 
• Definition -- Differs from the word tend (feed) above in that to Shepherd a flock means to provide TOTAL care for that flock!

sheep:

• Thoughts -- It seems that Jesus is telling Peter to nurture the young (new) Christians but that Peter must also assume TOTAL care of the entire flock, young and old.  Peter cannot abandon them once they are adults.  To be in Jesus' flock requires constant attention and diligence on our parts and on the parts of those put in positions of leadership.  Lambs will grow older with early feeding but they still need to be led when they are adults!  They still need shepherding!!
• Definition -- An adult lamb!  Also a term of endearment!  Sheep are also mild, inoffensive, patient and obedient!  (What Jesus wants US to be!!)  WOW!  God's Word is awesome!!

know (G1492):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 6:8 Mt 6:32 Mt 7:11 Mt 15:12   
• Definition -- Suggest knowledge, suggests fullness of knowledge and/or to know by perception

know (G1097):

• Thoughts -- Question!  When Peter uses this form of the word is he suggesting that Jesus knows all things because He, (Jesus) has acquired this knowledge from the Father in Heaven?  Just curious as to why the change of words here...
• Definition -- usually suggests an acquired knowledge?!?

Special section on the two different words translated to love

love (G25)-Jesus' term:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mat 5:43-44 Mt 5:46 Mt 22:39 Mk 10:21 Mk 12:30-33 Lk 7:47 Jn 3:19 Jn 3:35 Jn 8:42 Jn 11:5 Jn 14:15 Jn 14:21 1Co 8:3 Gal 2:20 Gal 5:14 Eph 5:25 Heb 12:6 James 1:12 James 2:5 1Pe 1:8 1Pe 1:22 1Jn 4:11 1Jn 4:19 
• Thoughts -- Used more frequently than G5368 below AND is used the most by John in his Gospel and in his first letter.  Important?  Don't know yet!
• Definition -- to esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone.  Used often to describe man's love towards God.  (G5368 is rarely used in that instance) As Vine's puts is:  "An unselfish love, ready to serve."

love (G5368)-Peter's answers and Jesus' term in His last question to Simon Peter:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 6:5 Mt 10:37 Mt 23:6 Translated as kiss in: Mk 14:44 (now back to translated as love):  Lk 20:46 Jn 5:20 Jn 12:25  Jn 11:3
• Thoughts -- Used less than G25. A lot less!  But still used most by John in his Gospel.
• Definition -- love!  A deep friendship meaning to have the same interests!  (this concept runs deep when Jesus asks Peter!!)  Vine's:  conveys the thought of cherishing the loved object or person above all else.

Factual information from Study Helps

AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary:

• Concerning the two different words meaning love discussed above, the AMG Dictionary goes on to state that Jesus changed words deliberately!  He was asking Simon Peter (the third time) if he, Simon, had indeed changed so that his interests were now the same (truly the same) as the interests of Jesus Christ!  Simon had denied knowing Jesus three times, that is not having the same interests!   The AMG dictionary also tells us that even though we are instructed love our enemies ( Mat 5:44 ) it is not the word phileo that is used (G5368) since that would mean deep friendship, sharing of interests.  We are to love them as in the word agapao ( G25 ) which indicates a moral love, compassion. 

Bible Background Commentary:

• Does not differentiate as much in the two word choices for love but does indicate that some people do when interpreting this section of scripture.

Answering My Questions

• Why does Jesus use the words lamb, sheep, tend and shepherd in the way that he does??  -- It seems that Jesus is telling Peter to nurture the young (new) Christians but that Peter must also assume TOTAL care of the entire flock, young and old. Peter cannot abandon them once they are adults. To be in Jesus' flock requires constant attention and diligence on our parts and on the parts of those put in positions of leadership. Lambs will grow older with early feeding but they still need to be led when they are adults! They still need shepherding!! A sheep is an adult lamb! Also a term of endearment! Sheep are also mild, inoffensive, patient and obedient! (What Jesus wants US to be!!) WOW! God's Word is awesome!!

Commentaries

AMG Concise Bible Commentary:

• Points out that Jesus' very public  questioning of Simon Peter not only helped to humble Peter but also let ALL THE OTHER Apostles know that Jesus had forgiven Simon Peter.

Summarizing

• Jesus puts Simon Peter through a little bit of an ordeal here.  Peter does become grieved that Jesus asks him three times if he truly loves Jesus!  But there is so much in Jesus words here.  1)  New Christians need tender care and feeding.  2)  Older and wiser Christians still need to be led and care for!  3)  Loving Jesus and being His intimate friend are two different things, yet connected.  4)  We should strive for the intimate friendship of "phileo".  We should strive and WANT to share the same interests as Jesus does!
• I feel like I am JUST touching the surface of this very important and moving section of Scripture!

Topics for further study

• Love for Christ
• How do we describe our love for Jesus
• In what way does Jesus want/expect us to love Him?
• Christians as sheep.
• Christian leaders as tending to the flock

Biblical Principles

• Given the original context, what does the text mean? -- Jesus has just asked Peter to reaffirm his love for the Lord.  Three times!  The same amount of times Peter denied knowing Jesus.  Even more importantly, Jesus has turned Peter back towards Himself so that now Simon Peter can tend to the flock. (the Church)
• What fundamental universal truths are presented in this passage. State that truth in a simple sentence or two.   -- Young believers need feeding.  Mature believers still need to be led and cared for.  If we learn anything from Peter's sin and return it is that ANY of us are able to fall prey to temptation!  Any of us!
• What issues in our own culture and my own situations does this truth address? -- Temptations abound in our culture!!  And I know that I myself fall prey to temptations.  To paraphrase Paul, I don't really want to and yet I am weak.  I need to turn to Jesus at all times. 
• What changes does it require? -- Extreme diligence in prayer, time with God's Word and meditation on that word!  And faith!
• What values does it reinforce? -- That Jesus loves us even when we sin!  He does not want to lose even one of us....!
• What difference does it make?  --  If Jesus could forgive and restore a man who denied Him, a man who was one of His closest friends on earth, well....it shows Jesus' amazing capacity for love and forgiveness.  A capacity so large, it is beyond most of our grasps!  It means Jesus loves me (us)!  And that makes ALL the difference.

Application

• Is there an example to follow? -- Yeah?  Simon Peter's ability to take his medicine!!  And Jesus' ability to forgive!!
• Is there a sin to avoid? -- Arrogance, apathy.
• Is there a challenge to face? -- Yes!  To truly remember and utilize/apply the lessons learned in these sections of Scripture!!

Application Summary (for both sections of Scripture)

• When taken as a whole, Lk 22:31-34  and John 21:15-19  are an amazing lesson.  Any of us can fall prey to sin!  The devil will try.  He does not want any of us to taste the victory of salvation.  Fortunately for us, Jesus DOES want us to be saved.  He wants us to be in His flock.  So much so that Jesus, the Son of God, will pray for us!  Think about that!  He prayed for Peter, so that Peter's faith would withstand the upcoming trials.  As the saying goes, with Jesus on our side how can we lose?  But here is where application comes in!  We HAVE to pray to Jesus!  We have to keep our heads turned to Him.  EVEN WHEN WE MESS UP!  Simon Peter was ashamed at what he had done but he so loved the Lord that he jumped from the boat to swim to shore.  That should be us:  We should pray that we can withstand temptation and avoid temptation!  But if we should succumb to temptation we should not hesitate or dawdle, we should jump back towards Jesus as fast as we can.  He is there on the shore waiting for us!

Bibliography

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